[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 171 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2015

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, each November, our nation recognizes the 
contributions of the First Americans during National Native American 
Heritage Month. Minnesota is home to eleven proud Ojibwe and Dakota 
nations, and those nations and their people are a vital part of our 
state's heritage and our future.
  American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are the source 
of America's first participatory democracy and the population with the 
highest rates of service in our nation's armed services. Their cultures 
and communities have endured despite centuries of violence, injustice, 
and discrimination. That legacy must never be buried or ignored, but I 
am committed to working with tribal leaders to move forward in a new 
era of respect and self-governance throughout Indian Country.
  The nation-to-nation relationship between our federal government and 
the 567 diverse, federally recognized tribal nations across the country 
has been strengthened tremendously under President Obama. I am proud to 
have worked with the President and my colleagues in Congress to pass 
major legislation to better meet our federal trust responsibility, 
strengthen tribal self-governance, and support Native families, like 
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act, 
and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
  Investing in the health, safety, and education of Native youth, in 
particular, must be a priority for Congress. Native American youth 
deserve the same opportunities to shape their futures and succeed as 
any other child in America. Earlier this month, tribal leaders and 
Native youth joined President Obama and senior officials from 
throughout his Administration at the 7th Annual White House Tribal 
Nations Conference. I was incredibly proud to see young people 
representing their Native nations and sitting with our President, 
sharing their priorities and discussing their future. Whether standing 
against racism in their schools, advocating for opportunities in their 
communities, or preserving their languages and cultures, the powerful 
voices and actions of Native youth are helping to build a brighter 
future for all young people in this country.
  Yet even with the progress we have made, tremendous work remains to 
realize that future. As sovereign nations, tribal governments play an 
essential role in serving the needs of their tribal members and 
defending the rights of their Nations. We must follow through on our 
federal responsibility to Native Americans with greater and more 
meaningful consultation and with legislative action that supports 
tribal self-determination, governmental parity, and significant 
investments throughout Indian Country.
  As we honor the heritage and resilience of our Native American 
brothers and sisters this month, we also commit to working together to 
build stronger communities and a stronger nation because when Indian 
Country is strong, America is strong.

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