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United Native America was informed by by Kimberly Teehee of the American Indian caucus in Washington DC., that the Indian caucus would take up the issue of the National Holiday for Native American in August 2000. Mike Graham, founder of United Native America, was told the holiday bill would not make any references as to changing Columbus Day. Congress will decide how to handle the issue when it's brought before them.

United Native America has long advocated changing Columbus Day to Native American Day as to creating a whole new holiday. Columbus Day should be moved back to it's traditional day, the second Wednesday of October and not be a Federal tax paid holiday, it should be viewed as ST. Patrick's Day and Octoberfest not with our tax dollars.

U.N.A. will offer full and complete support to the Indian Caucus concerning this issue. We applaud their decision to take up this issue and hope there will be a true and honest effort to bring a Holiday Bill before Congress. In talking with several Senators and Congressmen they have expressed that this issue should be brought forward to Congress and stand on it's own merits.

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma excepted Mr. Graham's request to pass Resolution #91-93 calling on the Federal Government to bring about a National Holiday for Native Americans.

The Government to Government relationship, countless contributions, and the distinguished leaders in the Indian community that stood up for Indian civil rights enduring the worlds longest and most costly in human life holocaust more than deserves a Federal National Holiday. This is not Europe, Africa, Middle east or Asia, Americas true roots can only be found within the Native Americans. There is not one group of people in this country or on the face of this planet that has suffered or endured more hardship to live in peace and self govern than the Native Americans.

In the year 2000 there has never been an Indian appointed to the supreme court or worked for the court, no appointments to top federal jobs, racial exclusion of Native Americans in the movies, television, music and sports industries.

At this time there is not one Indian playing for the teams that use Indian heritage to boast the image of their team. The NAACP and Jesse Jackson's Rainbow coalition have not addressed this issue. If there were no African Americans playing on these teams I'm sure they would not hesitate to bring it to the nations attention.

We ask for support of all Americans to help bring about change for Native Americans. Respecting one another's heritage and as individuals is what Americas all about. United Native America would like to thank the Cherokee Nation for its resolution and the thousands of Americans who took the time to respond to our National Holiday petition. They have been sent to the Indian Caucus in Washington, DC each and every one of you have made a difference on this issue.

Congressman Dale Kildee of Michigan and the Indian Caucus number is 202-225-3611.

To Congressional representatives:

        The American Indian Caucus in Washington, DC. has announced that in August 2000 they will start proceedings on drafting a bill calling on the federal government to bring about a national holiday for Native Americans. This holiday would include American Indians, Native Hawaiians, and Native Alaskans.

        This federal holiday would pay tribute to a long and honorable list of elected tribal representatives that stood up for our human rights to live in peace and self-govern. In doing so our tribal leaders were imprisoned for life and killed for standing up for our civil rights.

        In our society today two national holidays were brought about with the help of Native Americans they are the Forth of July, United States Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Native America recognizes all federal holidays except Columbus Day, at this time seventeen states do not recognize Columbus Day. The state of South Dakota has changed Columbus Day to Native American Day.

        United Native America proposes moving Columbus Day back to its original day, the second Wednesday of October and not be a federal tax paid holiday, in doing this the second Monday of October could be designated as a federal holiday for Native Americans. Our surveys show that the vast majority of all Americans support this change.

        The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma supports a national holiday for Native Americans with council resolution 91-93.

        Columbus Day should be celebrated as is St. Patrick Day and Octoberfest they are not federal tax paid holidays. Columbus was never a citizen of this country and never set foot on this land. He committed numerous atrocities against the island people he came in contact with which led to the destruction of them and their communities this is the true history of Columbus. Americas children are taught in schools that he's a great explorer but our children know the truth.

        It is inappropriate for our tax dollars to pay for this mans holiday for finding us. In the special government to government relationship it is fitting for the federal government to designate a federal holiday paying tribute to elected Native American leaders.

        The federal government recognizes that the fundamental principals of freedom of speech separation of government powers and federalism was drafted into the constitution of the United States arrived from Indian governments. As our elected representatives we ask that you support the designation of a federal holiday for Native Americans.

United Native America
Mike L. Graham
Rt. 6 box 243
Muldrow, Oklahoma 74948
918-427-9894
mgmikelgraham@gateway.net