Indigenous Peoples' Day, 2021

Vol. 86

Thursday,

No. 196

October 14, 2021

Part III

The President

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Proclamation 10283--Indigenous Peoples' Day, 2021

Proclamation 10284--International Day of the Girl, 2021

Executive Order 14049--White House Initiative on Advancing Educational
Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and
Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities

Notice of October 12, 2021--Continuation of the National Emergency With
Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 10283 of October 8, 2021

Indigenous Peoples' Day, 2021

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska
Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and
diverse cultures--safeguarding land, language, spirit,
knowledge, and tradition across the generations. On
Indigenous Peoples' Day, our Nation celebrates the
invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous
peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and
commits to honoring the Federal Government's trust and
treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.

Our country was conceived on a promise of equality and
opportunity for all people--a promise that, despite the
extraordinary progress we have made through the years,
we have never fully lived up to. That is especially
true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity
of the Indigenous people who were here long before
colonization of the Americas began. For generations,
Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate
and displace Native people and eradicate Native
cultures. Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples'
resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable
positive impact that they have made on every aspect of
American society. We also recommit to supporting a new,
brighter future of promise and equity for Tribal
Nations--a future grounded in Tribal sovereignty and
respect for the human rights of Indigenous people in
the Americas and around the world.

In the first week of my Administration, I issued a
memorandum reaffirming our Nation's solemn trust and
treaty obligations to American Indian and Alaska Native
Tribal Nations and directed the heads of executive
departments and agencies to engage in regular,
meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal
officials. It is a priority of my Administration to
make respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance
the cornerstone of Federal Indian policy. History
demonstrates that Native American people--and our
Nation as a whole--are best served when Tribal
governments are empowered to lead their communities and
when Federal officials listen to and work together with
Tribal leaders when formulating Federal policy that
affects Tribal Nations.

The contributions that Indigenous peoples have made
throughout history--in public service,
entrepreneurship, scholarship, the arts, and countless
other fields--are integral to our Nation, our culture,
and our society. Indigenous peoples have served, and
continue to serve, in the United States Armed Forces
with distinction and honor--at one of the highest rates
of any group--defending our security every day. And
Native Americans have been on the front lines of the
COVID-19 pandemic, working essential jobs and carrying
us through our gravest moments. Further, in recognition
that the pandemic has harmed Indigenous peoples at an
alarming and disproportionate rate, Native communities
have led the way in connecting people with vaccination,
boasting some of the highest rates of any racial or
ethnic group.

The Federal Government has a solemn obligation to lift
up and invest in the future of Indigenous people and
empower Tribal Nations to govern their own communities
and make their own decisions. We must never

forget the centuries-long campaign of violence,
displacement, assimilation, and terror wrought upon
Native communities and Tribal Nations throughout our
country. Today, we acknowledge the significant
sacrifices made by Native peoples to this country--and
recognize their many ongoing contributions to our
Nation.

On Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor America's first
inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to
thrive today. I encourage everyone to celebrate and
recognize the many Indigenous communities and cultures
that make up our great country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
October 11, 2021, as Indigenous Peoples' Day. I call
upon the people of the United States to observe this
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also
direct that the flag of the United States be displayed
on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor
of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who
contribute to shaping this Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
sixth.