Celebrate and learn about Native American heritage

November is Native American Heritage Month, something that ought to receive more public attention in this area given our many ties to Native American culture.

Native American Heritage Month began as American Indian Day in 1912 when Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian and director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Rochester, N.Y., successfully persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside one day for the “First Americans,” which they did for three years. In 1916, the state of New York proclaimed the second Saturday in May as American Indian Day, with other states marking the observance on the fourth Friday in September.

In 1990, President George. H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month and similar proclamations naming it Native American Heritage Month have taken place yearly since 1994, so it’s not some new trend. In fact, taking time to recognize the history and contributions of Native Americans is something long overdue.

Native American history has long been skewed by white American culture, and most of it has been cast in an unfavorable, often stereotypical light. It’s only been in the latter part of the last century that historical research has begun to turn that around and open doors of truth about both Native American and white European-descendants’ roles in shaping our nation.

This past history can often be the focus of Native American education in our schools, even among Native Americans. Several years ago Terri Jean, editor of The Native Truth, asked 38 children ages 4 – 12 to name five famous Native Americans.

Most of them ticked off historical figures such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Tecumseh and Squanto. When asked to name five currently famous Native Americans, very few had an answer.

In her article “11 Native Americans Everyone Should Know,” Jean names several who have and are making significant contributions to our society, such as human rights defender Dr. Eloisa Garcia Tamez, a Lipan Apache, and Charlene Teters, a member of the Spokane Nation who has worked to identify Native American racism and stereotypes in the media and corporate advertising.

Astronaut John Herrington, of the Chickasaw Nation, became the first Native American to walk in space on Nov. 23, 2002. Coeur d’Alene/Spokane Nation member Sherman Alexie is an award-winning author/poet/film producer and screenwriter. Sandra Sunrising Osawa, of the Makah Indian Nation, is considered one of America’s premiere independent film producers and directors whose works have appeared to acclaim at numerous festivals including Sundance.

A former Stanford teammate of Tiger Woods, Notah Begay of Navajo, San Felipe and Isleta lineage, became the first Native American to join the PGA Tour in 1995. Race car driver Cory Witherill, of the Navajo Nation, was the first full-blooded Native American to race in the Indy 500, and in 2001 became the first person to be a four-time champion at the Motorcross Valvoline de Montreal.

Jean finished her list with renowned activist and former vice presidential candidate Winona LaDuke, figure skater Naomi Lang, rapper Litefoot and journalist and news program host Patty Talahongva. And there are many more, including writer, curator and activist Suzan Harjo, one of 19 individuals to be honored Nov. 24 by President Barack Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

We encourage everyone to take the time to learn about the Native American presence in our society, how it shaped our history and our culture. We encourage teachers to take the time to discuss this heritage in class since, according to a story published Nov. 12 on Indian Country Today Media Network, 90 percent of Native American students attend public schools and have a dropout rate three times higher than white students.

Learning about culture isn’t just learning about the past. It’s also learning about the present, and the future because the traditions and histories of culture create and mold us constantly — especially Native American culture.