Native American Heritage Day Is The Day After Thanksgiving

In the United States of America

Native Americans are important in American History

Most people in the United States of America celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of each year. It is a time to express gratitude for the blessings which one has received. People usually get together with family and friends to enjoy a big feast which generally includes turkey and pumpkin pie.

People who are having a difficult time financially or who may be living in poverty are often treated to a Thanksgiving meal by generous donors and volunteers who prepare and serve the food to those in need. It is a time for giving and expressing thanks.

The first Thanksgiving in America was in 1621 when the Pilgrims from England gathered for a feast which included the Native Americans who taught them to colonize and farm. These people had seemed to become friends after a year, but there were many problems and hardships which had occurred among them.

There were many Native Americans who suffered greatly or were killed by the colonists.

Native Americans may feel that their people’s history was not properly respected with the story of the first Thanksgiving. They have some Native American traditions of their own related to Thanksgiving.

Native American Heritage Day is a civil holiday observed on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.

President George W. Bush signed into law legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Calif.), to designate the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. The Native American Heritage Day Bill was supported by the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and 184 federally recognized tribes, and designates Friday, November 28, 2008, as a day to pay tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States.

The Native American Heritage Day Bill encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe the day after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, through appropriate ceremonies and activities. It also encourages public elementary and secondary schools to enhance student understanding of Native Americans by providing classroom instructions focusing on their history, achievements, and contributions. [Wikipedia]

Native American Heritage Day is not that well known or observed by many of the general population of the United States. It is a day to remember Native Americans.

Some Native Americans have stated that the day after Thanksgiving is not a good time for a celebration since it is on Black Friday, which is considered to be a day of excess and gluttony with greed and aggressive capitalism as the mainstays.

Native Americans are very important to the history of the United States. They deserve recognition and honor for their many accomplishments. They are part of the diversity and value of the United States, but the populace and the government have not always treated them with kindness. They do not deserve to be faced with racism, which does happen. They are valuable members of society in the United States.

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