November is National American Indian Heritage Month

  • Published
  • By Lee Anne Hensley
  • Hilltop Times Staff
After nearly a century of advocacy, National American Indian Heritage Month was first recognized through joint resolution by Congress in 1990. 

Now recognized annually, November is celebrated to recognize the intertribal cultures and to educate the public about the heritage, history, art and traditions of the American Indian and Alaska Native people. 

The Department of Defense will observe this year's celebration with the theme, "Understanding Native American Heritage Now and Then." 

"In researching this year's theme, Mr. Peter Hemmer of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute's Research Directorate found that most acknowledgments of Native American Indian history and heritage revolve around the past," said Team Hill's National American Indian Heritage Month Coordinator, Lori Grimes, of the Ogden Air Logistics Center. 

According to a student internist at DEOMI, Stephanie Turner, Hemmer wanted to "shine light on who Native Americans are today; how they live their lives today; how their heritage shapes them in this globalized, industrial world we live in; and focus on what is still important today and what will always be important and included in their value system." 

Hemmer had also stated that he found a blog site written by a Native American who asked his Native American friends to name five famous Native Americans of today, but they could only name famous Native Americans from the past. 

"None of them knew that there were Native Americans in modern times that were doing pretty amazing things," said Turner. 

In order to educate the Hill population on both the historical and modern accomplishments of American Indian and Alaskan Native people, Grimes will publish a series of articles in the Hilltop Times highlighting several "modern-day Native Americans who have contributed to the legacy of our first Americans." 

Regarding the historical recollections, Grimes said, "It is important for all Americans to learn more about the history and heritage of the Native peoples of this great land. Such actions reaffirm our appreciation and respect for their traditions and way of life and can help to preserve an important part of our culture for generations yet to come. 

"Since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans and Alaska Natives have played a vital role in our country's freedom and security. They proudly serve in all departments of the United States Government today." 

Currently, 56 military members and 98 civilians at Hill AFB identify themselves as Native American or Native Alaskan.