[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60545-60546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24121]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 210 / Wednesday, November 3, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60545]]


                Proclamation 10302 of October 29, 2021

                
National Native American Heritage Month, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The United States of America was founded on an idea: 
                that all of us are created equal and deserve equal 
                treatment, equal dignity, and equal opportunity 
                throughout our lives. Throughout our history--though we 
                have always strived to live up to that idea and have 
                never walked away from it--the fact remains that we 
                have fallen short many times. Far too often in our 
                founding era and in the centuries since, the promise of 
                our Nation has been denied to Native Americans who have 
                lived on this land since time immemorial.

                Despite a painful history marked by unjust Federal 
                policies of assimilation and termination, American 
                Indian and Alaska Native peoples have persevered. 
                During National Native American Heritage Month, we 
                celebrate the countless contributions of Native peoples 
                past and present, honor the influence they have had on 
                the advancement of our Nation, and recommit ourselves 
                to upholding trust and treaty responsibilities, 
                strengthening Tribal sovereignty, and advancing Tribal 
                self-determination.

                The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated 
                preexisting inequities facing Tribal Nations. Early in 
                the pandemic, reported cases in the Native American 
                community were over 3 times the rate of white 
                Americans; in some States, Native American lives were 
                lost at a rate 5 times their population share. Even as 
                they shouldered a disproportionate burden throughout 
                the pandemic, Tribal Nations have been paragons of 
                resilience, determination, and patriotism--implementing 
                key mitigation strategies like testing and prioritizing 
                the vaccination of Tribal communities at high rates in 
                order to save lives. Through it all, Tribal Nations 
                have effectively utilized the tools of Tribal self-
                governance to protect and lead their communities, 
                setting a standard for all of our communities to 
                follow.

                Our Nation cannot live up to the promise of our 
                founding as long as inequities affecting Native 
                Americans persist. My Administration is committed to 
                advancing equity and opportunity for all American 
                Indians and Alaska Natives and to helping Tribal 
                Nations overcome the challenges that they have faced 
                from the pandemic, climate change, and a lack of 
                sufficient infrastructure in a way that reflects their 
                unique political relationship.

                As a starting point, the American Rescue Plan 
                represented the most significant funding legislation 
                for Indian Country in the history of our Nation--the 
                largest single Federal investment in Native communities 
                ever, with $20 billion in direct funding to help Tribal 
                governments combat and emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. 
                Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and my Build 
                Back Better framework, my Administration is pushing for 
                strong Tribal participation to help build our Nation's 
                clean energy future, deploy clean water and high-speed 
                internet to every home, and invest in Native American 
                families, businesses, jobs, and communities.

                In my first week in office, I also signed a 
                Presidential Memorandum committing my Administration to 
                the fulfillment of our Federal trust and treaty 
                responsibilities, to respect Tribal self-governance, 
                and to conduct regular, meaningful, and robust 
                consultations with Tribal Nations on a broad range

[[Page 60546]]

                of policy issues. Together, we are implementing a 
                whole-of-government approach to empower Tribal Nations 
                in their efforts to achieve political and economic 
                self-sufficiency, advance climate resiliency, and 
                protect their territorial sovereignty. To further 
                elevate the voices of Native Americans in my 
                Administration, I restarted the White House Council on 
                Native American Affairs earlier this year. It was among 
                the proudest honors of my life to appoint one of our 
                country's most remarkable leaders, Deb Haaland of the 
                Pueblo of Laguna, to serve as United States Secretary 
                of the Interior--the first Native American in the 
                history of our Nation to serve in the Cabinet.

                During National Native American Heritage Month, we also 
                honor our Native Americans veterans and service members 
                who have courageously served and continue to serve in 
                our Armed Forces--including the brave Native American 
                Code Talkers in World War I and World War II. For over 
                200 years, Native Americans have defended our country 
                during every major conflict and continue to serve at a 
                higher rate than any other ethnic group in the Nation. 
                Because of their selflessness, every generation of 
                Americans receives the precious gift of liberty--and we 
                owe each of them and their families a debt of gratitude 
                for their sacrifice and dedication.

                Native American roots are deeply embedded in this 
                land--a homeland loved, nurtured, strengthened, and 
                fought for with honor and conviction. This month and 
                every month, we honor the precious, strong, and 
                enduring cultures and contributions of all Native 
                Americans and recommit ourselves to fulfilling the full 
                promise of our Nation together.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 2021 
                as National Native American Heritage Month. I urge all 
                Americans, as well as their elected representatives at 
                the Federal, State, and local levels, to observe this 
                month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities, and to celebrate November 26, 2021, as 
                Native American Heritage Day.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-24121
Filed 11-2-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P