November begins with heritage months
The gist
November begins National Native American Heritage Month, first designated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
Libraries, universities and cities are marking it with events and programs.
How it unfolded
- 1911Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker, a Cattaraugus Seneca Indian, founded the Society of American Indians.
- 1914Rev. Red Fox James, a Blackfoot tribal citizen, rode 4,000 miles on horseback to Washington, D.C., to petition the president for an "Indian Day," presenting endorsements from 24 governors.
- 1976Jerry C. Elliott (Osage-Cherokee), one of the first Native Americans to work at NASA, authored congressional legislation establishing the first Native American Awareness Week, observed Oct. 10-16.