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Friday, January 17, 2014

DELEGATE PUSHES FOR STATEWIDE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

ANNAPOLIS -American Indian Heritage Day in Maryland falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving every year.

But Delegate Peter Murphy, D-Charles, wants to see the celebration spread throughout all of November.

Murphy has proposed legislation that would require the governor to proclaim November as Native American Heritage Month.

It would also urge schools and cultural organizations to observe the month.

He said the current day of recognition is sometimes overlooked because it falls so closely to Thanksgiving, and many educational institutions that would recognize the day are closed. 

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is much native American history yet to be discovered here on the eastern shore of Md. Most people are totally unaware of the evidence of once prolific cultures buried beneath our roads, factories and housing developments. They do not know of the Indian wars that took place across Wicomico county from Willards to Hebron where George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore ordered the purge and theft of Indian lands in the early 1600's by forces of the Crown.
This history and culture deserves recognition and honor.

Anonymous said...

Just what we need, another "hertiage" month pushed on us by a bunch of liberal. Where is my hard working normal white person month? Get over it people this is a CHRISTIAN NATION.

Anonymous said...

I think its great. Nov for native americans, feb for african americans, may for hispanics and i choose july for whites of european descent. Works for me.

Anonymous said...


This can be a touchy topic to discuss. We'd all do well to know more about more topics rather than less about more topics.

Every ethnic and racial group deserves to have its contributions to society, culture and human progress highlighted and appreciated as a part of a solid educational curriculum. But not all contributions have been equally beneficial or notable.

That said, we've been making a grave error by focusing on only a very few groups. Entire months repeatedly devoted to the same contributions quickly get old for both kids and adults.

The rationale for establishing the month long concentrations was that some groups had historically been overlooked or demeaned. Can't say that any longer in many cases.

What emerged was elevation of contributions by some groups and absolutely no mention of contributions by all other groups.

A better approach would look at contributions based on their impact without focusing on the ethnic background of the contributor; photos or sketches of the contributor could provide that clue.

Perhaps focusing on one continent per month, or on various countries based on their population size, or their descendant's percentage of our current population would provide a more balanced approach.

The current approach is inadequate because it totally ignores the larger picture. It results in students who know less, who become adults with the same limitations.

Let's make time, space and funds available to learn about and appreciate all backgrounds and contributions rather than a select few.


Anonymous said...

I'm half indian , 1/2 English , 1/2 jewish , 1/2 African , 1/2 American , 1/2 Mexican , can I get some free stuff.
Another holiday , I love it , on a 4 day work week now , maybe a 3 day put in time week.

Anonymous said...

Dont we give them enough already with subsidys and reservations????? They just waste it all on fire water anyways.