President
Barak H. Obama
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate
Release October
30, 2009
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The indigenous peoples of North America -- the First
Americans -- have woven rich and diverse threads into
the tapestry of our Nation's heritage. Throughout their
long history on this great land, they have faced moments
of profound triumph and tragedy alike. During National
Native American Heritage Month, we recognize their many
accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices, and we
pay tribute to their participation in all aspects of
American society.
This month, we celebrate the ancestry and time-honored
traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in
North America. They have guided our land stewardship
policies, added immeasurably to our cultural heritage,
and demonstrated courage in the face of adversity. From
the American Revolution to combat missions in Iraq and
Afghanistan, they have fought valiantly in defense of
our Nation as dedicated servicemen and women. Their
native languages have also played a pivotal role on the
battlefield. During World Wars I and II, Native American
code talkers developed unbreakable codes to communicate
military messages that saved countless lives. Native
Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors,
entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars. Our debt
to our First Americans is immense, as is our
responsibility to ensure their fair, equal treatment and
honor the commitments we made to their forebears.
The Native American community today faces huge
challenges that have been ignored by our Government for
too long. To help address this disparity, the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates more than $3
billion to help these communities deal with their most
pressing needs. In the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, my
Administration has proposed over $17 billion for
programs carried out by the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Indian Health Service, and other Federal agencies that
have a critical role to play in improving the lives of
Native Americans. These programs will increase
educational opportunities, address the scourge of
alcohol abuse and domestic violence, promote economic
development, and provide access to comprehensive,
accessible, and affordable health care. While funding
increases do not make up for past deficiencies, they do
reflect our determination to honor tribal sovereignty
and ensure continued progress on reservations across
America.
As we seek to build on and strengthen our
nation-to-nation relationship, my Administration is
committed to ensuring tribal communities have a
meaningful voice in our national policy debates as we
confront the challenges facing all Americans. We will
continue this constructive dialogue at the White House
Tribal Nations Conference held in Washington, D.C., this
month. Native American voices have echoed through the
mountains, valleys, and plains of our country for
thousands of years, and it is now our time to listen.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and the laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as National
Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all
Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate
programs and activities, and to celebrate November 27,
2009, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
Campaign Promise
President Barak Obama brings hope
to many people, not only in America, but around the world. And in
particularly he brings hope to the Native American Indian people.
He has made many promises to our
Native people, and time will tell if he is able to keep those
promises. Certainly he needs our prayers, that he can achieve all he
aspires to do, and over come the many difficulties this country
faces.
To the American Indian people
President Obama has said:
"For 20 months now, I've traveled
this country, often talking about how the needs of the American
people are going unmet by Washington. And the truth is, few have
been ignored by Washington for as long as American Indians," he
writes.
"Too often, Washington pays lip service to working with tribes while
taking a one-size-fits-all approach with tribal communities across
the nation.
"That will change if I am honored to serve as President of the
United States.
"My American Indian policy begins with creating a bond between an
Obama administration and the tribal nations all across this country.
We need more than just a government-to-government relationship; we
need a nation-to-nation relationship, and I will make sure that
tribal nations have a voice in the White House.
"I'll appoint an American Indian policy adviser to my senior White
House staff to work with tribes, and host an annual summit at the
White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works
for tribal communities.
"That's how we'll make sure you have a seat at the table when
important decisions are being made about your lives, about your
nations and about your people. That'll be a priority when I am
president.
"Here's what else we're going to do.
"We're going to end nearly a century of mismanagement of the Indian
trusts.
"We're going to work together to settle unresolved cases, figure out
how the trusts ought to operate and make sure that they're being
managed responsibly today, tomorrow and always.
"We need more than just a government-to-government relationship; we
need a nation-to-nation relationship, and I will make sure that
tribal nations have a voice in the White House.
"Now, I understand the tragic history between the United States and
tribal nations. Our government hasn't always been honest and
truthful in our dealings.
"And we've got to acknowledge that if we're going to move forward in
a fair and honest way.
"Indian nations have never asked much of the United States only for
what was promised by the treaty obligations made to their forebears.
"So let me be absolutely clear. I believe treaty commitments are
paramount law, and I will fulfill those commitments as president of
the United States.
"That means working with tribal governments to ensure that all
American Indians receive affordable, accessible health care
services.
He went on to discuss health and education opportunities, and the
service of American Indian veterans, finishing with:
"I was born to a teenage mother. My father left when I was 2 years
old, so I never knew him well.
"I was raised in Hawaii by a single mother and my grandparents, and
we didn't have a lot of money we even turned to food stamps at one
point just to get by.
"Where I grew up, there weren't many black families.
"So I know what it feels like to be viewed as an outsider. I know
what it's like to not always have been respected or to have been
ignored. I know what it's like to struggle.
"Every president is shaped by his own experience. These have been
mine. And so I want you to know that I will never forget you.
"The American Indians I have met across this country will be on my
mind each day that I am in the White House.
"You deserve a president who is committed to being a full partner
with you; to respecting you, honoring you and working with you every
day.
"That is the commitment I will make to you as president of the
United States."
Maybe this time
we can
"Give Peace a
Chance"
|
