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“Navajo County has the honor of having three Native American communities in our county, which include the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the White Mountain Apache Tribe,” said Supervisor Jesse Thompson, at the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting on Nov. 27, as he requested that the Board of Supervisors proclaim November of 2018 as Native American Heritage month, a request that was readily sustained.
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“Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, dance, language and art,” Thompson shared in a later interview. “Although the lands and natural resources have diminished, the Native Americans contribute to the economic growth and development within their regions. We labor to improve our roads, so all children can receive access to a quality education.”
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It was early in the 1900s when the concept of a day to recognize the significant contributions of the “First Americans” began to circulate. Dr. Arthur C. Parker of the Seneca tribe persuaded the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to set aside such a day and for three years, the BSA did that.
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In 1915 the annual Congress of the American Indian Association formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. The year before that proclamation was issued, Red Fox James of the Blackfoot tribe, rode horseback from state to state, seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On Dec. 14, 1915, James presented the endorsements of 24 state governments to the president at the White House. In spite of these attempts, there is no record that a national day was proclaimed that year.
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Throughout the ensuing decades, several states would enact such a day, but it wasn’t until 1990, when President H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November of 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month, that it became a recognized event every November for the past 28 years.
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Vice Chairwoman Dawnafe Whitesinger said, “I appreciate you taking the time to make sure we recognize an important group of people. When we think about their contributions, challenges and struggles and recognize what our tribes have brought to us. To bring those cultures into our communities, it is good to say thank you to those who have made the effort.”
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Chairman Steve Williams added, “I want to say how much I appreciate and respect my colleagues. It is a blessing to live in a region where there is a diversity of cultures.”
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Thompson concluded, “I give thanks to all veterans and soldiers who honorably defend our freedoms. I encourage all people to celebrate your heritage and to give thanks to your ancestors. May we continue to maintain the values and practices of our forefathers as peaceful caretakers of our lands, cultures, languages and beliefs.”
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