[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65871-65872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26496]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 65871]]


                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

[[Page 65872]]

                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.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2014-26496
Filed 11-5-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5