Native American Indian Holiday
Native American Heritage Day
WOW! It's here again.... November 1st marks a month long celebration of the Native American Indian. Two powerful organizations, the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and the National Congress of American Indians have teamed together to push for the creation of a national holiday which will be called Native American Heritage Day. This day will be observed on the Friday following Thanksgiving, in my opinion it's about time! Earnie Stevens (Oneida) NIGA chairman says "The Friday after Thanksgiving is a natural fit for this day of recognition. It will require the nation to focus on the many contributions of Indian people and help to promote an accurate story of our history, as well as help this great nation grow away from the common stereotypes and misinformation that plague a very proud, productive and patriotic people."
In May of 1916, New York was the first state to establish an American Indian Day, and several states now host similar days of observances. In 1990 President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as " National American Indian Heritage Month," and similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994. But still, with this being said, American's first peoples largely go unrecognized in their own homelands.
Why, is the question that I would like to ask? If we were or were not the first peoples in this land called the Americas, later know as The United States it is still evident that our culture was prominent here when the Europeans arrived. So, why is it that we are not recognized as other cultural races are? I know that we have African History Month and Hispanic History month, I see the advertisements all through the year for thes specific months and usually is accompanied by festivals throughout North America, movies, television specials and shows, and education within the school communities. To my knowledge from past experiences within the US government school systems and work forces I have not seen any signs of anyone celebrating the American Indian culture that was only recognized as United States citizens in 1924 just 87 years to date of the hundreds of years science Europeans arrived. No special movies or cultural events being held other than on the REZ in North Carolina where my family and I come from. Why can the Native Americans not be celebrated and acknowledged by the U.S. for their strong will, their past sufferings, some continued sufferings, proud traditions, and never ending truths and survival of being great peoples? Being Tsalagi (Cherokee) my family and I have always tried to hold to our values and traditions of our beautiful culture. I am very proud to be an American Indian full blood Cherokee and I hope that American society will soon discover what has been hidden for so long and see my people who are all Native American Indians and what makes us a great nation within a nation.
I would like to thank Daniel Gibson for some of the quotes in this blog, and my people for being strong through our trials through the hundreds of years. Thanksgiving for me and my family is a two day celebration of giving thanks that our people has survived all negative force through the first discoveries until now. Thankful that we are still a people, not only remembered from stories, and song, but still living amongst this great nation as a whole with all other citizens. "We are a Great Nation within a Great Nation."
Rain Fallen Crow
Some Cherokee Native Celebrities
Rita Coolidge great singer also part of family trio native group Walela
Priscilla Coolidge sister of Rita and singer Walela
Laura Statterfield daughter of Priscilla and singer Walela
Johnny Deep great actor in my opinion the greatest of our time
Chuck Norris Martial Artist and actor
David Carrodine Martial Artist and actor
Wes Studi actor
Delana Studi actress and speaker
Burt Reynolds actor
Val Kilmer actor
Tina Turner singer
James Earl Jones speaker and actor
Ava Gardner actress
Loretta Lynn singer
Cher singer
Jimi Hendrix singer
This is just a fraction of American Indians who stand in the spotlight for our enjoyment.
Many actors, actresses, singers, models, and political leaders are of native backgrounds. I know that even in my entertainment business it was my ethnic features of my Cherokee peoples got me many photo shoots, posters, billboards, and runway opportunities. I am very thankful for my great people and the great peoples of all native cultures in America. Lets enjoy our American Indian Heritage together! Many prayers to all of you.
