Indian country has endured much adversity over the past 500 years and has proven to be a consummate survivor in the process. Today, “I’m an American Indian” is a claim people make proudly, a statement capable of invoking both respect and contempt. Most Americans do not recognize the contributions Native Americans have made to society, but the United States was, in fact, created in the Indian spirit of independence, strength and adaptability.
The National Indian Gaming Association is happy to honor the contributions of the Native Americans with the enactment of the Native American Heritage Day Bill. The Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, 2009, will be observed as Native American Heritage Day. NIGA has worked with the National Congress of American Indians in getting the legislation passed, with the help of many congressmen and senators sensitive to Native issues.
Now that the day has finally been designated, what are we observing? We are observing the fact that Indians greeted the Europeans in good faith, extending aid and peaceable accords. Beyond their goodwill, Indians were already harvesting 75 percent of what the world consumes agriculturally today. The concept of zero in mathematics came from South American Indians. The democratic society we enjoy today was fashioned from the government of the Five Civilized Tribes and the Iroquois Confederacy. The contributions of Natives to the American way of life are numerous, but Native people never sought recognition, only acceptance as this nation’s first sovereigns.
Right now, there’s a Native American in New York City reviewing her portfolio and making bold, smart moves on the New York Stock Exchange. In Hollywood, another Native American actor is auditioning for the lead role in a soon-to-be-released blockbuster film. Across the country, Native American businessmen and women are starting their own businesses, staking their claims for a piece of the “American Dream.” Throughout it all, Native American homeowners are assuming the responsibilities of health and hearth for their kids and grandkids.
We are just like you. We are Americans with dreams of making it big in the Land of Opportunity. We are proud of our history and look forward to the prospects of the future. We believe in the benefits of “going green” and have advocated this belief for generations. We are tech savvy and get our messages out through a variety of mediums. We believe in the Creator and give thanks for the benefits of our world. We are true innovators and can adapt to any given climate and survive. We are, in sum, the original Americans.
Native Americans have always answered the call of duty in the time-honored tradition of protecting this great country. Navajo Code Talkers confused the Japanese during World War II with their traditional language code that was indecipherable and classified. The code helped bring a swift end to the war. The Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan—all of the combat zones across the globe—had Native Americans fighting at the frontlines, fighting for the sacred ideal of protecting family, home and nation.
In the 21st century, the progress Native Americans have made is astounding. We have our own doctors and lawyers; we even had a Native American senator walk the halls of power in Washington, D.C. Native American athletes have reached the highest level of competitions, signing contracts and starting pro careers in their respective sports. Female tribal leaders are stepping forward and taking the chief role of their tribes. The beauty of generations is shared through native music, fashion, modeling and the whole cross-cultural crossover unveiled in recent years. Further still, our Native students are graduating from college in successful numbers and pursuing post-graduate degrees, whether in law, medicine or engineering. These young people all came from small hometown backgrounds where they have seen the rough conditions of Indian reservations firsthand. Those visions are all the resolve one needs to make things work in the “real world.”
Native Americans wear their tribal affiliation like a badge, a symbol of courage, strength and survival. They are the consummate survivors. The history books never fully explained the story of the Native Americans and the adversities overcome through time. That can now be changed with Native American Heritage Day. This is an opportunity to share our rich cultural history with the rest of the country and the world. The spirit of the human character shines through when you realize the odds Indian nations faced, as many stood on the brink of eradication. We’ve stepped back from that ledge and participate in this complex society with the rest of America. In the spirit of Crazy Horse, we have fought hard and taken control of our destinies.
Native Americans today carry the legacy of our ancestors and are taking the next step of teaching the generations of tomorrow about our survival. It is thanks to our previous generations that we were allowed this opportunity. They sacrificed immensely to give hope for the dream of a better tomorrow. Over 500 years ago, they envisioned self-determination and a fighting chance at life. We are the realization of that prophecy, and we must share the success and survival of the Native American with the rest of the world. We have succeeded and overcome. We shall succeed and survive, just as we’ve done generations before.
For Native American Heritage Day 2009, reflect about Native Americans and what they mean to America. We are more than sports mascots. We are civilized and educated. We operate our own tribal governments and exercise our sovereignty. We believe in the concept of community and caring for tribal members. We are Americans who enjoy all the same liberties as other citizens, but we are also warriors who know the importance and concept of survival. We are you.
Ernie Stevens Jr. is the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association and a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. He can be reached at (202) 546-7711.
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