[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57235-57236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26765]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 212 / Wednesday, November 4, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 57235]]


                Proclamation 8449 of October 30, 2009

                
National Native American Heritage Month, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The indigenous peoples of North America--the First 
                Americans--have woven rich and diverse threads into the 
                tapestry of our Nation's heritage. Throughout their 
                long history on this great land, they have faced 
                moments of profound triumph and tragedy alike. During 
                National Native American Heritage Month, we recognize 
                their many accomplishments, contributions, and 
                sacrifices, and we pay tribute to their participation 
                in all aspects of American society.

                This month, we celebrate the ancestry and time-honored 
                traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in 
                North America. They have guided our land stewardship 
                policies, added immeasurably to our cultural heritage, 
                and demonstrated courage in the face of adversity. From 
                the American Revolution to combat missions in Iraq and 
                Afghanistan, they have fought valiantly in defense of 
                our Nation as dedicated servicemen and women. Their 
                native languages have also played a pivotal role on the 
                battlefield. During World Wars I and II, Native 
                American code talkers developed unbreakable codes to 
                communicate military messages that saved countless 
                lives. Native Americans have distinguished themselves 
                as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and 
                scholars. Our debt to our First Americans is immense, 
                as is our responsibility to ensure their fair, equal 
                treatment and honor the commitments we made to their 
                forebears.

                The Native American community today faces huge 
                challenges that have been ignored by our Government for 
                too long. To help address this disparity, the American 
                Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates more than $3 
                billion to help these communities deal with their most 
                pressing needs. In the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, my 
                Administration has proposed over $17 billion for 
                programs carried out by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
                Indian Health Service, and other Federal agencies that 
                have a critical role to play in improving the lives of 
                Native Americans. These programs will increase 
                educational opportunities, address the scourge of 
                alcohol abuse and domestic violence, promote economic 
                development, and provide access to comprehensive, 
                accessible, and affordable health care. While funding 
                increases do not make up for past deficiencies, they do 
                reflect our determination to honor tribal sovereignty 
                and ensure continued progress on reservations across 
                America.

                As we seek to build on and strengthen our nation-to-
                nation relationship, my Administration is committed to 
                ensuring tribal communities have a meaningful voice in 
                our national policy debates as we confront the 
                challenges facing all Americans. We will continue this 
                constructive dialogue at the White House Tribal Nations 
                Conference held in Washington, D.C., this month. Native 
                American voices have echoed through the mountains, 
                valleys, and plains of our country for thousands of 
                years, and it is now our time to listen.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as 
                National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon 
                all Americans

[[Page 57236]]

                to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and 
                activities, and to celebrate November 27, 2009, as 
                Native American Heritage Day.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-26765
Filed 11-3-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P