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The National Holiday for Native Americans petition has just passed 11,000 signatures. United Native America want's to send everyone a special thanks for signing the petition and helping get the word out about the national holiday. Special thanks to those who have web sites that have set up the holiday banner linking to the petition.

It has been several weeks since we have asked people to join our email list, to stay updated on this issue. At this time we ask that everyone contact as many people as possible and inform them that they can send an email to MIKECHEROKEE@aol.com and ask to be placed on the holiday email list. In doing this in the past, people that have joined us have contributed significantly to the holiday support and petition signing.

With the Congressional Indian Caucus bringing the holiday bill before Congress sometime after they reconvene next year, it is of the utmost importance that each and every one of us contact our representatives and inform them of this issue. Please use this online web site to contact members of Congress and Senate. The United States Senate.

The Indian Caucus needs letters of support from Tribal Nations across the country. These letters should be sent to Kimberly Teehee 2187 Rayburn House, Office Building, Washington DC. 20515 and a copy to Mike L. Graham Rt. 6 box 243, Muldrow, Okla 74948. It is important to contact Tribal Leaders and request that they write a letter in support of this issue. Going through Councils takes a lot more time than talking directly to the Tribal Representatives, who have the authority to draft a letter showing their administrations support on this issue.

We have emailed in changes to be made on the petition, we have been told it should be taken care of in two to three days, the changes are needed to make the petition more accurate. We have also added to the petition the inclusion of the U.S. Territories. There has been questions about the name of this holiday, with the holiday recognizing Native Hawaiians, the holiday could not be called American Indian Day. Some people have a problem with the word Native, Webster's Dictionary defines it as born in or characteristic of a certain place. 2. inborn. 3. Native person.

Indigenous means native person. It is widely excepted by people all over the world that people originally from a land are the native inhabitant of that land and all others are immigrants born within that land and can call themselves native to the new land but still have immigrant roots from their true home land.

We have informed the Indian Caucus that the naming of the holiday would be up to them and the Indian Nations. The phone number to the Indian Caucus is 202-225-3611.