National Native American Heritage Month, 2014

Proclamation 9207 of October 31, 2014

National Native American Heritage Month, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every year, our Nation pauses to reflect on the
profound ways the First Americans have shaped our
country's character and culture. The first stewards of
our environment, early voices for the values that
define our Nation, and models of government to our
Founding Fathers--American Indians and Alaska Natives
helped build the very fabric of America. Today, their
spirit and many contributions continue to enrich our
communities and strengthen our country. During National
Native American Heritage Month, we honor their legacy,
and we recommit to strengthening our nation-to-nation
partnerships.

As we celebrate the rich traditions of the original
peoples of what is now the United States, we cannot
forget the long and unfortunate chapters of violence,
discrimination, and deprivation they had to endure. For
far too long, the heritage we honor today was
disrespected and devalued, and Native Americans were
told their land, religion, and language were not theirs
to keep. We cannot ignore these events or erase their
consequences for Native peoples--but as we work
together to forge a brighter future, the lessons of our
past can help reaffirm the principles that guide our
Nation today.

In a spirit of true partnership and mutual trust, my
Administration is committed to respecting the
sovereignty of tribal nations and upholding our treaty
obligations, which honor our nation-to-nation
relationship of peace and friendship over the
centuries. We have worked to fairly settle longstanding
legal disputes and provide justice to those who
experienced discrimination. We have taken unprecedented
steps to strengthen tribal courts, especially when it
comes to criminal sentencing and prosecuting
individuals who commit violence against Native American
women. And next month, my Administration will host our
sixth annual White House Tribal Nations Conference,
part of our ongoing effort to promote meaningful
collaboration with tribal leaders as we fight to give
all our children the tomorrow they deserve.

Today, as community and tribal leaders, members of our
Armed Forces, and drivers of progress and economic
growth, American Indians and Alaska Natives are working
to carry forward their proud history, and my
Administration is dedicated to expanding pathways to
success for Native Americans. To increase opportunity
in Indian Country, we are investing in roads and high-
speed Internet and supporting job training and tribal
colleges and universities. The Affordable Care Act
provides access to quality, affordable health
insurance, and it permanently reauthorized the Indian
Health Care Improvement Act, which provides care to
many Native Americans. And because the health of tribal
nations depends on the health of tribal lands, my
Administration is partnering with Native American
leaders to protect these lands in a changing climate.

Every American, including every Native American,
deserves the chance to work hard and get ahead. This
month, we recognize the limitless potential of our
tribal nations, and we continue our work to build a
world where

all people are valued and no child ever has to wonder
if he or she has a place in our society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 2014 as
National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon
all Americans to commemorate this month with
appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate
November 28, 2014, as Native American Heritage Day.

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