National American Indian Heritage Month, 1996

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 6949 of October 29, 1996

National American Indian Heritage Month, 1996

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout our history, American Indian and Alaska
Native peoples have been an integral part of the
American character. Against the odds, America's first
peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural,
political, social, and moral presence. Tribal America
has brought to this great country certain values and
ideas that have become ingrained in the American
spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and
prosper without destroying the natural environment; the
understanding that people from very different
backgrounds, cultures, religions, and traditions can
come together to build a great country; and the
awareness that diversity can be a source of strength
rather than division.

As we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month this
year, we take note of the injustices that have been
suffered by American Indian people. Even today, few
enjoy the full bounty of America's prosperity. But even
as we look to the past, we must also look to the
future. Along with other Americans, American Indians
and Alaska Natives will face new challenges in the
coming century. We can ill afford to leave any of our
people behind. Tribal America must figure as
prominently in our future as it has in our past.

Let us rededicate ourselves to the principle that all
Americans have the tools to make the most of their God-
given potential. For Indian tribes and tribal members,
this means that the authority of tribal governments
must be accorded the respect and support to which they
are entitled under the law. It means that American
Indian children and youth must be provided a solid
education and the opportunity to go on to college. It
means that more must be done to stimulate tribal
economies, create jobs, and increase economic
opportunities.

Our bridge to the 21st century will rest upon the
foundation we build today. We must teach our children
about our past--both the good and the bad--so that they
may learn from our successes and mistakes. We must
provide our children with the knowledge and skills to
permit them to surpass our own achievements and create
a stronger, more united American community. We must
provide them greater opportunity. It was the Iroquois
who taught that in every deliberation we should
consider the impact of our decisions on the next 7
generations.

In recognition of the important contributions of
American Indian and Alaska Native peoples to our
country and in light of the special legal relationship
between the tribes and the Government of the United
States, and obligations pursuant thereto, we celebrate
National American Indian Heritage Month.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 1996 as National
American Indian Heritage Month. I urge all Americans,
as well as their elected representatives at the
Federal, State, local, and tribal levels, to observe
this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-first.