Since the 1990s November has been designated as Native American Heritage Month. A precursor to this
Since the 1990s November has been designated as Native American Heritage Month. A precursor to this observance was Native American Awareness Week in 1976.Jerry Elliott High Eagle, a member of the Osage Nation who worked for NASA, served as chair of the effort to have Congress pass legislation recognizing October 10-16, 1976, as Native American Awareness Week. While some states and cities had local observances, he believed the nation’s 200th birthday was a time for indigenous history to be celebrated nationwide.“This legislation is positive and in concert with the desires and wishes of Native Americans everywhere. Therefore, it becomes appropriate and important that this proclamation be brought to public notice during the bicentennial year at a time when the whole instinctive movement of all American people is for a deeper footing in their native soil,” Elliott wrote to Dr. Ted Marrs, Special Assistant to the President for Indian Affairs, in April 1976. “At this important time in American history, let’s make it even more significant by having our Indian background, culture and current contributions brought to the forefront.”The resolution text that Elliott proposed went before Congress and was ultimately passed as Senate Joint Resolution 209. President Ford issued a proclamation recognizing Native American Awareness Week during a trip to Lawton, Oklahoma, on October 8, 1976. Elliott was in the audience at the signing ceremony, which was attended by leaders from tribal nations including the Cherokee, Seminole, Choctaw, Osage, Kiowa, Comanche, Wichita, Caddo, Delaware, and Fort Sill Apache.Read the text of SJR 209, Native American Awareness Week, in the Legislation Case File here: https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0055/1669616.pdfRead the Presidential proclamation for Native American Awareness Week, 1976 here: https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0159/1670045.pdfImage: President Ford Delivering Remarks Before Signing a Proclamation Designating Native American Awareness Week, 1976 at the Montego Bay Hotel in Lawton, Oklahoma, 10/8/1976 (White House Photograph B1789-15A) -- source link