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Congresswoman Betty McCollum logo

Statement for the Record Honoring November as Native American Heritage Month

November 23, 2015

McCOLLUM of MINNESOTA: Each November, our nation recognizes the contributions of the First Americans during National Native American Heritage Month. Minnesota is home to eleven proud Ojibwe and Dakota nations, and those nations and their people are a vital part of our state’s heritage and our future.

American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are the source of America’s first participatory democracy and the population with the highest rates of service in our nation’s armed services. Their cultures and communities have endured despite centuries of violence, injustice, and discrimination. That legacy must never be buried or ignored, but I am committed to working with tribal leaders to move forward in a new era of respect and self-governance throughout Indian Country.

The nation-to-nation relationship between our federal government and the 567 diverse, federally recognized tribal nations across the country has been strengthened tremendously under President Obama. I am proud to have worked with the President and my colleagues in Congress to pass major legislation to better meet our federal trust responsibility, strengthen tribal self-governance, and support Native families, like the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act, and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Investing in the health, safety, and education of Native youth, in particular, must be a priority for Congress. Native American youth deserve the same opportunities to shape their futures and succeed as any other child in America. Earlier this month, tribal leaders and Native youth joined President Obama and senior officials from throughout his Administration at the 7th Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference. I was incredibly proud to see young people representing their Native nations and sitting with our President, sharing their priorities and discussing their future. Whether standing against racism in their schools, advocating for opportunities in their communities, or preserving their languages and cultures, the powerful voices and actions of Native youth are helping to build a brighter future for all young people in this country.

Yet even with the progress we have made, tremendous work remains to realize that future. As sovereign nations, tribal governments play an essential role in serving the needs of their tribal members and defending the rights of their Nations. We must follow through on our federal responsibility to Native Americans with greater and more meaningful consultation and with legislative action that supports tribal self-determination, governmental parity, and significant investments throughout Indian Country.

As we honor the heritage and resilience of our Native American brothers and sisters this month, we also commit to working together to build stronger communities and a stronger nation because when Indian Country is strong, America is strong.