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Friday, July 4, 2014

Events are held in July during NAIDOC week, or the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, to celebrate Indigenous culture and achievements in Australia. The committee was established in the 1920s to increase awareness of the status and treatment of Aboriginal people.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

During this week in 1924, Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. was born. The Army corporal was killed while holding off a night attack during the Korean War, which earned him a posthumous Medal of Honor. The Armys Camp Red Cloud in South Korea is named after him. The Ho-Chunk man has also received many other recognitions including monuments, parks, highways and ships, which bear his name. Red Cloud was also a veteran of World War II. He served in the Marine Corps.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

In July 1979, Jay Silverheels had a star with his named on it placed on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in California. The Native actor played Tonto in The Lone Ranger television series.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

On this day in 1955, the federal program for Indian health services was transferred to the Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the agency responsible for the country's human resources. The program was first under the War Department and then the Interior Department.

Monday, June 30, 2014

In June 2013, the Obama administration announced the establishment of the White House Council on Native American Affairs to ensure the government engages in the government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes.

Friday, June 27, 2014

In June 2012, the governor of Maine issued a proclamation to recognize Native American veterans and to remember in June 1775 when the Penobscot and other tribes agreed to fight with the Continental Army.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

In June 1906, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado was established to protect archeological sites including cliff dwellings.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

On this day in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, known as Baby Veronica. The court examined a custody dispute between the biological father, Dusten Brown, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and a South Carolina couple, which the girl's mother chose for a planned adoption. The high court sent the case back to lower courts to decide Veronica's placement. The Indian Child Welfare Act, intended to keep Native families together, was used in the case. Tribes, advocates and Native organizations closely followed proceedings raising concerns about potential impacts in Indian Country. The girl was eventually handed over to the couple, Matt and Melanie Capobianco, and Brown dropped the legal fight.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Today we remember a Lakota code talker who passed away in June 2010. Clarence Wolf Guts was one of a handful of Native American code talkers from South Dakota to serve during World War II. He was buried with full military honors at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Monday, June 23, 2014

During this week in 2013, Felix Diaz, an Indigenous leader in Argentina, met with Catholic Pope Francis. He addressed issues like land rights and education.

Friday, June 20, 2014

During this month in 1972, the Indian Education Act was signed into law. The legislation addressed needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students. It included additional funding....and created the Office of Indian Education, which is now the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

Thursday, June 19, 2014

During this week in 1948, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in the case Harrison v. Laveen, which gave Native Americans in the state the right to vote.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

During this month in 1984, the US Senate on Indian Affairs became a permanent committee.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

In June 2012, Google and dozens of organizations launched an endangered languages website to help with revitalization efforts.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Canadians observe National Aboriginal Day in June to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.

Friday, June 13, 2014

In June 2008, First Nations people across Canada watched and listened to the prime minister apologize for the abuses students suffered at Indian Residential Schools from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Many students were physically, sexually and emotionally abused at the church-run, government funded schools.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

In June, King Kamehameha is honored in Hawaii. Celebrations take place to remember the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

In June 2009, Navajo Attorney Hilary Tompkins was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Solicitor of the Interior Department

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

During this month in 2007, Oklahoma tribal leaders watched President George W. Bush sign a bill in Washington, D.C. to reauthorize the Native American Home Ownership Opportunity Act. It encouraged homeownership among Native people by guaranteeing mortgages.

Monday, June 9, 2014

During this week in 1996, the historic Cobell Indian trust class-action lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit against the federal government for the mismanagement of individual Indian trust accounts was settled for 3.4 billion dollars more than a decade later. Plaintiffs across the country are waiting for their settlement checks. Many have expressed frustration about the delay.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

In June 2011, the Native American squash blossom became the official necklace of New Mexico. The design resembles the flower of the squash plant and is often made from silver with turquoise or other gemstones.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

In June 2004, Erma Vizenor was elected chair of the White Earth Nation. Shes the first woman leader of the tribe, the largest tribe in Minnesota.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

In June 1924, Congress extended American citizenship to all American Indians born in the U.S. with the Indian Citizenship Act. Native people had previously received citizenship through marriage, military service and land allotments. It was also granted to some tribes during treaty making.

Monday, June 2, 2014

In June 2004, Marcella LeBeau received the French Legion of Honor. The Lakota woman was one of 100 veterans awarded in Paris during the 60th anniversary commemorating the invasion of Normandy. LeBeau served as a nurse during World War II as a first lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps.

Friday, May 30, 2014

During this month in 1993, the Alaska Native Justice Center was established. The center was created to serve the unmet needs of Alaska Native people in the civil and criminal justice systems.