On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The billread in part that “the President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities”. This was a landmark bill honoring America's tribal people. This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area. Federal Agencies are encouraged to provide educational programs for their employees regarding Native American history, rights, culture and contemporary issues, to better assist them in their jobs and for overall awareness.
In 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 President Barack Obama made a Presidential proclamation on the 31st of October of each year that each respective November would be National Native American Heritage Month. In 2017 and 2018 and 2019 President Donald Trump made a Presidential proclamation on the 31st of October of each year that each respective November would be National Native American Heritage Month.
Legislation
A Cherokee American Indian, J.C. Elliott-High Eagle, authored for American Indian Awareness Week, October 10–16, 1976, signed by President Gerald R. Ford. This became the first official week of national recognition for the American Indian since the founding of the nation.
Controversy
On October 31, 2019, President Donald Trump also proclaimed November 2019 as National American History and Founders Month to celebrate the first European founders and colonizers of America. In a similar fashion to when, on October 13, 2019, President Donald Trump issued a formal proclamation recognizing Columbus Day and not Indigenous People's Day, some journalists suggested National American History and Founders Month is an attempt to subvert attention from National Native American Heritage Month and stifle the indigenous voice by announcing a celebration that can be viewed as opposing and contradictory to what National Native American Heritage Month is supposed to highlight and honor.
