Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009
PL 111-33 (H.J.Res.40), enacted 06/26/2009

123 STAT. 1922 
PUBLIC LAW 111–33—JUNE 26, 2009 
Public Law 111–33 
111th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United 
States, and for other purposes. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Native American Heritage Day 
Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, 
indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants 
of and who governed the lands that now constitute the United 
States; 
(2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the 
United States Armed Forces and have served with valor in 
all of the Nation’s military actions from the Revolutionary 
War through the present day, and in most of those actions, 
more Native Americans per capita served in the Armed Forces 
than any other group of Americans; 
(3) Native American tribal governments included the funda-
mental principles of freedom of speech and separation of govern-
mental powers; 
(4) Native Americans have made distinct and significant 
contributions to the United States and the rest of the world 
in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, lan-
guage, and art, and Native Americans have distinguished them-
selves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and 
scholars; 
(5) Native Americans should be recognized for their con-
tributions to the United States as local and national leaders, 
artists, athletes, and scholars; 
(6) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native 
Americans have made to the fabric of American society will 
afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their 
respect and admiration of Native Americans for their important 
contributions to the political, cultural, and economic life of 
the United States; 
(7) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native 
Americans have made to the Nation will encourage self-esteem, 
pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages; 
(8) designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of 
each year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore 
Native American 
Heritage Day Act 
of 2009. 
June 26, 2009 
[H.J. Res. 40] 
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123 STAT. 1923 
PUBLIC LAW 111–33—JUNE 26, 2009 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 40: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 155 (2009): 
June 2, considered and passed House. 
June 9, considered and passed Senate. 
the government-to-government relationship between the United 
States and Native American governments; 
(9) designation of Native American Heritage Day will 
encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the 
United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans 
by providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on 
the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to 
the Nation; and 
(10) the Friday immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day 
of each year would be an appropriate day to designate as 
Native American Heritage Day. 
SEC. 3. HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE IN THE UNITED 
STATES. 
Congress encourages the people of the United States, as well 
as Federal, State, and local governments, and interested groups 
and organizations to honor Native Americans, with activities 
relating to— 
(1) appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to 
observe Native American Heritage Day; 
(2) the historical status of Native American tribal govern-
ments as well as the present day status of Native Americans; 
(3) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native Ameri-
cans; and 
(4) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all Ameri-
cans enjoy today. 
Approved June 26, 2009. 
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