What’s in a name . . .

Maximilian, Prinz von Wied, Reise in das innere Nord-America in den Jahren 1832 bis 1834 [Trip to North American between the years 1832 and 1834], 1839-1841, Plate 12. Noápeh. An Assinboin Indian. Psíhdja-Sáhpa. A Yanktonan Indian.

“National Native American Heritage Month”

“National American Indian Heritage Month”

“National American Indian and Native Alaskans Month”

There has always been confusion about the title for the month that is designated as a celebration for the indigenous peoples of the United States. From 1986 to 2008 the Presidential proclamations used the phrase “American Indian” for the month long event. In Indian Country in an effort to include the indigenous peoples of Alaska and Hawaii the terms “Native American” or “American Indian and Native Alaskan” were often substituted for the “American Indian” phrase.

The idea of dedicating a period of time in appreciation for the contributions of the indigenous peoples of the United States is somewhat flawed if the title for that period leaves out the indigenous peoples of Alaska and Hawaii. The indigenous people of Alaska and Hawaii are not American Indians. On October 30th 2009 President Obama issued a proclamation declaring November as National Native American Heritage Month. This is definitely a step in the right direction for the presidential proclamations; however in the wording of the 2009 proclamation “…celebrate the ancestry and time-honored traditions of the indigenous peoples of the American Indians and Alaska Natives in North America”  still leaves out the indigenous peoples of Hawaii.—Lynne Altstatt 

OTHER SITES/FACTS OF INTEREST FOR NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH:

The first "American Indian Day" for a state was celebrated in May 1916 in New York.

President Obama also designated November 27, 2009 as Native American Heritage Day. 

The theme for the National Native American Heritage Month is 2009 is "Pride in Our Heritage. Honor to Our Ancestors ."

From CSPAN.com:

On November 5th President Obama delivered the opening remarks at a White House Tribal Nations Conference and participated in a discussion with leaders from the 564 federally recognized tribes. The conference is addressing issues facing American Indian tribes such as economic development, housing and education. This is the first such meeting since 1994.

American Indian Heritage Month from Smithsonian.com