Since 1994, President Clinton has issued a proclamation designating the month of November as National Native-American Heritage Month. For each Native-American nation, their first encounter with the Europeans would mark the end of an era and the beginning of many sorrows and change. However, despite their hardships, their traditions, stories and beliefs live on. Such traditions include culturally rich music, dancing, singing, art, stories, and much more. Watching Native-American dancing and singing in their colorful handcrafted ceremonial costumes shrouds the viewer in their culture, traditions, and past.
Dancing plays a very significant role in every Native-American nation.
Dancing and singing is used to celebrate their rich and diverse heritage, as a means of prayer, to reestablish their ties to an old way of life, to promote unity within and among various nations and tribes, and to express the abundant strength and pride of Indian nations. In the past, Native art served as useful everyday objects, such as pottery, weapons, and clothing. Today, however, Native artists, craftspeople, and artisans create their art for art lovers throughout the world. In addition to N. Scott Momaday, a score of other Native-American writers and poets have transformed the contemporary experiences of Native people into a literature of tremendous power and grace. U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992.