House passes legislation to designate a Native American Heritage Day

House passes legislation to designate a Native American Heritage Day
Posted: November 16, 2007

by: Staff Reports / Indian Country Today
WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation Nov. 13, introduced by Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., that encourages the designation of the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. The Native American Heritage Day bill, H.J. Res. 62, encourages the establishment of a day to pay tribute to American Indians for their many contributions to the United States.

''Native Americans have enriched American culture throughout their proud history,'' Baca said. ''It is important that we recognize these contributions and ensure all Americans are properly educated on the heritage and achievements of Native Americans. For years, I have fought to ensure Native Americans receive the recognition they deserve, and today, I am proud the House has passed this vital bill.''

The Native American Heritage Day bill encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, through appropriate ceremonies and activities. It also encourages public elementary and secondary schools to enhance student understanding of American Indians by providing classroom instruction focusing on their history, achievements and contributions.

''This bill will help to preserve the history and legacy of Native Americans,'' Baca added. ''Native Americans and their ancestors have played a critical role in the formation of our nation. They have fought with valor and died in every American war dating back to the Revolutionary War. We must encourage greater awareness of the significant role they have played in America's history.''

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416133

and stealing their land we honor them with a day. Seems to come up a little short. At least it is something I guess.

to healing.... it's a start.

Oh, they'll be nice blankets, trimmed with gold, but they will be like when Chimpy said of Martin Luther King's Potrait, right in front of the man's widow, "I can't wait to HANG it (inflection Chimpy's)," to the assembled laughter of the Bushie Crowd.

He is a sick fuck, and if he has anything to do with it, whatever the gift the Great White Father gives to his savages (as Bushler undoubtedly thinks it in his black heart) will be an insult, veiled very thinly.

and figure out a way to use the words "wampum, teepee & squaw" :puke:

:shrug:

We need some sort of Truth and Reconciliation Commission like the one held in South Africa -- and preferably located somewhere out of the country so US media and political reactionaries can't hijack the process.

What the government of this country has done to native americans, blacks, hispanics, along with virtually the entire non-rich populations of the combined countries of central america, the middle east, southeast asia -- the sheer volume and magnitude of US crimes against the non-white world should make a tragic joke out of all attempts by status quo apologists to claim even a square millimeter of the moral high ground.

Our world-class villainy is only matched by our world-class hypocrisy, and we're about to turn the full force of the state security apparatus against those who dare to suggest that BushCo isn't worth the atoms it's made of.

And another thought: Is this the kind of critical work Pelosi, Hoyer, et al claim prevents acting on impeachment? This feeble attempt to put a happy face on institutionalized racism and genocide is more important than seeking justice and accountability for the perpetrators of yet another genocide?

I think these conniving, complicit, corrupt fuckers are claiming that they can't walk and chew gum at the same time. However, while they may be utter slime, I doubt they're all stupid, ignorant slime. And I don't buy the excuses for a second.

First, a veto-proof Democratic majority in the house and senate. Then, cull the herd. Send these collaborators packing, DINO by DINO, until progressives run the show and reactionaries are reduced to running for county recorder. I'm not sure they can be trusted even in those kinds of positions, but at least they won't have access to the nuclear launch codes.


wp