Native American Heritage Month

[Wayne Luke]

So what is your opinion on November being Native American Heritage Month?

http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

Do you feel it will help with conditions on reservations? Will it bring awareness to the issues facing Native People in this country? Why do you think it doesn't get the same coverage as other heritage or awareness campaigns?

[wyo_rose]

Wow, love that link! Just got done viewing the Horse Culture online exhibit for the past half hour!

For the most part in mainstream society...Indians are the Vanished Americans.

[Wayne Luke]

For the most part in mainstream society...Indians are the Vanished Americans.

A shame. Such beautiful cultures from what I have experienced and they could teach people so much about living with the Earth instead of against it.

[wyo_rose]

ACK!!! Another stereotype!!! Just joking.

But yeah, how can mainstream America be made aware that Native Americans are still here, having survived the former govt polices, and yet are still being affected by said policies?

[Wayne Luke]

ACK!!! Another stereotype!!! Just joking.

Can understand this. Not meant to be a stereotype. I have met people from local tribes who live in the mountains without power or running water on their 15 acre plot of land. I've also been to the Morongo Casino. And I am sure there is everything between these two examples. I just meant that there is still knowledge handed down through the generations that doesn't involve suburbs. I also realize some things that wouldn't be shared but even reminding people of the wonder seen in a flying eagle is a great thing.

However I am someone who feels that everyone I meet has a lesson they can teach me. It doesn't matter if it is someone in a tailored suit or someone who is homeless living behind a store. Everyone has lessons they can share.

But yeah, how can mainstream America be made aware that Native Americans are still here, having survived the former govt polices, and yet are still being affected by said policies?

I really wish I had the answers to this. I think Pow Wows would be one way to get some word out. At least about the different cultures. Too many people were brought up on spaghetti westerns to understand the diversity. School would be another. Black History Month seems to be a lot more effective but there is a lot of educational programs around it. There needs to be more education especially with some focusing on the current lives of people on the different reservations.

I am not involved in education so not sure how to get that started though. Maybe it would take an "Occupy" style protest.

[Svnoyi Gvtsanoste]

Lip Service in November

Unfortunately, Native American month feels like lip service to me. It is during a time where all the stereotypes have been freshly stirred up by Halloween. And just to add to the lip service, the day after thanksgiving is considered Native American Heritage Day. How many people are really thinking about Native Americans while they are fighting over sale items on Black Friday?
I think it would be more effective if it was moved to another month. When I go out to schools to give talks / lessons about Native history and modern culture a lot more is shared / gained when it is not in November. November seems to have a predetermined mentality with it.

[Wayne Luke]

To be honest, I was actually thinking the same thing. If a friend in Oklahoma hadn't posted this on her Facebook Wall, I might have missed it myself. Too much is going on in November for many people to care about others. They are more concerned about family dinners, gift shopping and new gloves.

I wonder who one would talk to about that and where the letters would go.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

So what is your opinion on November being Native American Heritage Month?

http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

Do you feel it will help with conditions on reservations? Will it bring awareness to the issues facing Native People in this country? Why do you think it doesn't get the same coverage as other heritage or awareness campaigns?

The federal agency I will soon retire from appointed me to handle Liaison duties with Native governments and persons in Southern California, about 3 years ago.

I was both amazed and dismayed at how little people knew about Native America, even the reservations nearby...UNLESS they had a new glitzy casino.

Seems like stereotypes exist because people don't really want to know the REAL truth. Majority of Americans are Braindead, do not know history, culture, nature, how to sing, how to dance..etc.

AND...America is poisoned with RACISM. UGLY PLAIN TRUTH.

[Wayne Luke]

Well I sing badly and dance horribly but I try on occasion. Unfortunately, I agree with your post and it is a sad state of affairs. I'll admit that I probably don't know as much as I should and I'll have to do better. Now I am thinking of ways to get more information out about issues like this and hopefully affect some change in my lifetime. Lot of big issues out there though.

[wyo_rose]

Yep, prejudism is alive and well ESPECIALLY in the places where there is a higher native population. Our two reservation borders towns are prime examples, as well as the whole states of Montana, South Dakota and Alaska, and you would think these would be places where knowledge about Natives would be higher.

I like the TV commercials that the California casino tribes put out about their culture and how they give money back to the state. They're shown as modern people who make a contribution.

That's what Native America needs....a good PR campaign!!

Too bad our tribes here are not in better financial shape so they could mount a public awareness program. If everyone in these border towns knew how much money the rez pumps into their economy maybe there'd be a little more respect.

[wardancer]

Well , I think the biggest problem is a tremendous lack of respect ! Let something bad happen to an Islamic Mosque , a black church , or any other event and the news media is all over it , yet the problems on the rez and all over Indian country are greatly overlooked !

As with most parents , I used to go to the school , dress out and speak to the different classes....It's o.k. up to about the 5th-6th grades. Then the disrespect really is apparent. I finally told my son I just wouldn't go any more . The kids don't listen , spending most of their time ( my time ) hootin' and making lu-lus and shootin' their finger guns.....thinkin' they're cute .

History is written by the winner and I guess that it has been instilled into these young students that Indians are a conquered people and don't really exist anymore .

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Federal Native American History Month 2011

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proud to celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month. Held annually during November, the theme for this year is, “Service, Honor, Respect: Strengthening our Cultures and Communities.” This year’s theme recognizes that the original inhabitants of the United States shaped our nation’s history and remain a very important part of our culture, art and traditions.



In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-471 authorizing and requesting President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the week of November 23-30 as American Indian Week. That same year, President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5577 proclaiming the first American Indian Week.

Four years later, in 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month. The Congress found this month to be appropriate since November is a time of Thanksgiving and it also concludes the traditional harvest season.

I encourage your participation in the commemorative events and activities that are planned at CBP locations around the country.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/admin/fl/eeo/div_inc_programs/indian_heritage/indian_poster.ctt/indian_poster.pdf

(I had nothing to do with the design of this poster!)

[OLChemist]

I think the stereotypes are ingrained deeply and early.

I remember being invited to an event at my boss' house about a month after his daughter started pre-school. He and his wife are so politically correct. They have really tried to raise their child without instilling stereotypes. But the child decided to sing a song she had learned in preschool for me: "I am an Indian. Here is my arrow; here is my bow...." Both parents stood looking at me and looking like they wanted to crawl under the table. And that was the child of educated, very stereotype conscious parents.

A lot of these programs suffer from good intentions seasoned with ignorance. Lacking real connections to Native communities they teach from books and their own preconceived notions of what makes a good "Indian" learning activity. Often in an attempt to make programs hands-on and kid friendly, they promote cultural appropriation and trivialization with do it yourself macaroni "bead" necklaces and grocery bag "painted hides." And since most in the dominant culture never interact with Native people, most never get beyond the most superficial representations of Native culture these programs offer.

The real key, I think, is creating a true Native voice in entertainment, literature and arts. Not just having a month.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Hmmm...Going to an Atlanta Braves game and doing the Tomahawk Chop is culturally enriching for BrainDead Americans.

Kansas City Chiefs game has more gringos with war bonnets than a John Wayne movie!

[APACHEFIRE]

[QUOTE=wardancer;1495106]
As with most parents , I used to go to the school , dress out and speak to the different classes....It's o.k. up to about the 5th-6th grades. Then the disrespect really is apparent. I finally told my son I just wouldn't go any more . The kids don't listen , spending most of their time ( my time ) hootin' and making lu-lus and shootin' their finger guns.....thinkin' they're cute .

lets me an you go back an kick some a$$!