LOUISVILLE, Ky. — November is the start of National Native American Heritage Month.
According to the United States Senate, New York was the first state to declare an "American Indian Day" in 1916. It was a chance to acknowledge the many contributions and achievements of Native people.
Officially, it has been recognized for only 33 years.
In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial commemoration, President Gerald Ford proclaimed Oct. 10-16 as Native American Awareness Week.
Fast forward to 1990, Congress passed and President George H. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month.
In 2008, the commemorative language was amended to also include the contributions of Alaskan Natives.
Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, making him only the fourth senator of Native American descent to serve.
Throughout November, WHAS11 News will introduce you to Native Americans in Kentucky making a difference in our community, their unique culture and its advocates who work to preserve Native American heritage.
If you have a story idea, send it to sshanklin@whas11.com.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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