November is Native American Heritage Month

In the early 1900’s, there were several initiatives towards recognition for American Indians. Over the past century, organizations and different levels of government have established a time to honor the first Peoples of North American. The list of proclamations and resolutions is long, the dates have varied from Spring to Fall, and the official “name” has changed frequently. But each year, since 1990, the U.S. government has designated November to honor American Indian culture and contributions.

One of the first to grant a day of recognition was the Boy Scouts of America. This organization was incorporated in February, 1910 in Washington DC. At that time in New York, Arthur C. Parker was involved in founding the Society of American Indians. Arthur Parker was a well connected “Mixed Blood.” Born on the Cattaraugus Reservation of the Seneca in 1881, he was only a quarter Indian, but his Indian side of the family was prominent. His Grandfather was an influential Tribal leader, and his Great Uncle, a Seneca Life Chief, was a brigadier general and secretary to General Grant during the American Civil War. Afterwards he served as the first Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Arthur’s Mother was of European-American descent. He did not have a Tribal connection at birth, but was adopted into the Seneca Nation in 1903.

Arthur became the first archaeologist at the New York State Museum in 1906. Having volunteered and apprenticed with respected scientists, his connections were formidable and included the Native American physician Charles Eastman, who joined him in establishing the Society of American Indians in 1911. It is said that Arthur approached and persuaded the newly formed Boy Scouts to recognize a “First Americans” Day. As a young organization, well connected supporters were needed. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Boy Scouts observed First Americans Day from 1912 to 1915. In that last year, the Boy Scouts established The Order of the Arrow.

There were others, less well connected, working for a day of recognition at this time. In 1914 James Red Fox (Red Fox Skiukusha) began a journey. Some say he was Blackfoot, according to the BIA he was a Reverend, but he most certainly had good horses. Red Fox rode to Washington DC to petition President Woodrow Wilson for an “Indian Day.” When that didn’t work, he rode from state to state. On December 14, 1915 he returned to the White House and presented the endorsements of 24 governors for a day of recognition. After 4,000 miles and two years on horseback, James Red Fox did not give up. He continued his efforts and petitioned the State of Washington in 1919 to establish an “Indian Holiday” in September.

These are two of many individuals who worked towards the same goal in their own way. In 1916, the State of New York was first to designate an American Indian Day in May. Illinois followed in 1919 with a Friday in September. But a day of recognition was of no concern to many American Indians during these years. If a Tribe was without a Federal Treaty or other agreement of recognition, its members were in limbo. They were not American citizens. They did not share the rights granted by the US Constitution, nor any protections of American law. But these completely disenfranchised Peoples did benefit from the efforts to establish an American Indian Day. All the publicity may well have contributed to passage of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924. This extended citizenship to all U.S. born American Indians not included within treaties or agreements in which citizenship had previously been granted. However, passage of the Citizenship Act also began an extended lull in the establishment of any “Indian” day of recognition.

With Civil Rights a prominent issue in the 1960’s, Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution for the State of California to join Illinois in designating the fourth Friday in September as American Indian Day. California has one of the highest percentages of Native American citizens and this eventually became a state holiday. The first Federal recognition was in 1976. President Ford declared October 10th – 16th as “Native American Awareness Week.” In the following years with political correctness an issue, the name was changed back to American Indian. There was a designated day in May and designated weeks in November, September, and December. In the midst of all these changes, political correctness, and the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage, several states changed their sanctioned Columbus Day holiday to American Indian Day.

In 1990, the month of November was designated as National American Indian Month. Finally, there was more than just a day or a week to recognize the influence and contributions of the First Americans to the United States. Finally, there was a known time frame for event planning! In the two decades since, November has become a busy month for educational programs and cultural events. From rural communities to small cities to military installations across the world, people are sharing our stories, our heritage, and our art. If you would like to attend an event, check with local governments, schools, and colleges. Event calendars on state websites are another helpful resource. Before you start a search, the name has changed yet again. In 2010 we returned to “Native American,” so be looking for National Native American Heritage Month. Oh well, at least it is still in November!