Special events will celebrate heritage, history, art, traditions

November is National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. To celebrate and recognize the heritage, history, art and traditions of the American Indians and Alaskan Natives, special events are scheduled throughout the month at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Courtesy photo)

November is National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. To celebrate and recognize the heritage, history, art and traditions of the American Indians and Alaskan Natives, special events are scheduled throughout the month at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Courtesy photo)
Local News
By 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Oct 25, 2019
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November is National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month. The theme for 2019, provided by the Society of American Indian Government Employees, is “Honoring Our Nations: Building Strength Through Understanding.”

The origins of the month’s celebration date back to 1915 when the annual Congress of the American Indian Association formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of May as American Indian Day, as well contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

In 1986, Congress passed and President Ronald Reagan signed the proclamation authorizing American Indian Week. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name, including Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month have been issued each year since 1994.

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To celebrate and recognize the heritage, history, art and traditions of the American Indians and Alaskan Natives, the following special events are scheduled throughout the month:

  • Nov. 13 at the Child Development Centers: Book reading and craft making. The AI/ANHM committee is looking for 15 to 20 volunteers to read and make crafts with the children. Please contact Airman 1st Class Allison Dauterman or Airman 1st Class Tina Wang at 937-257-0500 to volunteer.
  • Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the USO Center in Kittyhawk Area: AI/ANHM Cultural Fair. Learn about American Indian/Alaska Native tribes from all over the nation. The AI/ANHM committee is looking for Wright-Patterson personnel who would like to share their AI/AN heritage at the fair. Please contact Airman 1st Class Samira Nurse or Tech. Sgt. Edward Post at 937-257-0500.
  • Nov. 21, 5K Cold Turkey Trot Fun Run in Area B: Celebrate American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month. More details are forthcoming. If you're not interested in walking or running, the AI/ANHM committee is looking for 15 to 20 volunteers to help with setting up, road safety and tear-down. Please contact Capt. Kelsey Pruitt at kelsey.s.pruitt.mil@mail.mil or Airman 1st Class Luis Cintron at 937-257-0500.

An AIANHM-themed movie showing at the base movie theater, and special menu options at the Pitsenbarger dining facility are currently being worked. More information will be forthcoming.

For additional information or questions regarding Native American/Alaskan American Heritage Month, contact the 2019 American Indian and Alaska /Alaskan American Heritage Special Observance Committee Chairperson, Capt. Kelsey Pruitt at Kelsey.s.pruitt.mil@mail.mil.

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88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs