[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 44 (Monday, November 4, 1996)]
[Pages 2234-2235]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6949--National American Indian Heritage Month, 1996

October 29, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Throughout our history, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples 
have been an integral part of the American character. Against the odds, 
America's first peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural, 
political, social, and moral presence. Tribal America has brought to 
this great country certain values and ideas that have become ingrained 
in the American spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and prosper 
without destroying the natural environment; the understanding that 
people from very different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and 
traditions can come together to build a great country; and the awareness 
that diversity can be a source of strength rather than division.
    As we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month this year, we take 
note of the injustices that have been suffered by American Indian 
people. Even today, few enjoy the full bounty of America's prosperity. 
But even as

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we look to the past, we must also look to the future. Along with other 
Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives will face new challenges 
in the coming century. We can ill afford to leave any of our people 
behind. Tribal America must figure as prominently in our future as it 
has in our past.
    Let us rededicate ourselves to the principle that all Americans have 
the tools to make the most of their God-given potential. For Indian 
tribes and tribal members, this means that the authority of tribal 
governments must be accorded the respect and support to which they are 
entitled under the law. It means that American Indian children and youth 
must be provided a solid education and the opportunity to go on to 
college. It means that more must be done to stimulate tribal economies, 
create jobs, and increase economic opportunities.
    Our bridge to the 21st century will rest upon the foundation we 
build today. We must teach our children about our past--both the good 
and the bad--so that they may learn from our successes and mistakes. We 
must provide our children with the knowledge and skills to permit them 
to surpass our own achievements and create a stronger, more united 
American community. We must provide them greater opportunity. It was the 
Iroquois who taught that in every deliberation we should consider the 
impact of our decisions on the next 7 generations.
    In recognition of the important contributions of American Indian and 
Alaska Native peoples to our country and in light of the special legal 
relationship between the tribes and the Government of the United States, 
and obligations pursuant thereto, we celebrate National American Indian 
Heritage Month.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the 
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 
1996 as National American Indian Heritage Month. I urge all Americans, 
as well as their elected representatives at the Federal, State, local, 
and tribal levels, to observe this month with appropriate programs, 
ceremonies, and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 
day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 31, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 30, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
November 1.