A week was set aside in November 1976, designated as Native American Awareness Week. Then in 1990, President Bush proclaimed that the entire month of November be designated as Native American Heritage Month. President Obama signed the Proclamation this year.
At their monthly meeting, the ladies of Elk River Chapter DAR read the Proclamation from President Obama declaring the entire month of November as National Native American Heritage month, with a call for Americans to commemorate the month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate the 29th of November as Native American Heritage Day.
The ladies also viewed a map of the “Trail of Tears” showing the land and water routes used for removal of Natives to the Western area of the United Sates from their traditional homelands in the East. In addition, they viewed copies of the Cherokee alphabet, and read a traditional Cherokee story about why the mole lives underground. A general discussion of Native American history followed.
In addition, Mayor Ritchie Roach signed a Proclamation proclaiming the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month in the city of Gassaway.