[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24432]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of National 
American Indian Heritage Month and to recognize the important 
contributions of American Indians to our history and culture.
  This year's theme is ``Celebrating Tribal Nations: America's Great 
Partners.'' For me, this theme recognizes both the opportunities and 
the challenges facing Native American communities. The United States 
Constitution recognizes tribal sovereignty and through treaties, the 
Federal Government has a responsibility to protect the right to self-
determination of tribal nations. Congress must do more to live up to 
the commitments that have been made. Clearly there is work to be done 
to improve education, increase access to health care, and support job 
opportunities.
  This month I had the opportunity to visit several pueblos in New 
Mexico to learn more about how the Federal Government can be a better 
partner in improving education and access to health care. First hand I 
saw inspiring examples of Pueblos coming together for the greater good 
of their children and elders, and I learned of areas of extreme need in 
their communities.
  During the Feast Day, I was invited by tribal members in the Pueblos 
of Tesuque and Jemez into their homes so I, and others from outside the 
community, could learn about tribal traditions and share some wonderful 
food. I saw Head Start centers built by the community to provide the 
youngest children with educational opportunities. Tribal leaders, 
teachers and elders shared their plans to implement new language 
immersion and preservation programs to ensure the continuation of the 
Pueblo's language, history and culture. Unfortunately, I also saw 
crumbling school buildings and understaffed health care clinics where 
it is clear the Federal Government must do more to honor the promises 
made by treaty. I look forward to working with the tribal communities 
and my colleagues to address these needs in the next Congress.
  In Minnesota our culture has been enriched by the contributions of 
the Chippewa, Ojibwe and Sioux nations. I have been honored to work 
with alongside Native Americans to increase funding for Indian 
Education, reduce health disparities, and strengthen tribal colleges, 
but there is much more to be done.
  As we join our families for Thanksgiving, we must remember the 
critical role American Indians played in the survival of the first 
European settlers in America and in influencing our shared American 
culture. We can also learn valuable lessons about the strength of 
community and the importance of conservation and good stewardship of 
our land from our Native American brothers and sisters. This November, 
and every month throughout the year, I urge my colleagues, friends and 
constituents to learn more about the heritage, history and art of the 
tribal nations in Minnesota and across the country.

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