Native American Heritage Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, Native Americans have inhabited the land now known as the Commonwealth of Virginia for thousands of years; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is home to 11 state-recognized Indian tribes: the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway), Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Monacan, Nansemond, Nottoway, Pamunkey, Patawomeck, Rappahannock, and the Upper Mattaponi; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Native Americans from other tribes across the country have moved to Virginia and call the Commonwealth their home; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s Native American community enriches the Commonwealth with its culture and traditions, while also serving as a significant contributor to Virginia through their commitment to environmental stewardship; and

WHEREAS, American Indian Day was established in Virginia in 1987; the General Assembly expanded to a week in 1988; the General Assembly revised the recognition to “Native American Indian Month” in 1996 and proclaimed the Wednesday immediately preceding Thanksgiving as a Day of Appreciation for American Indians in the Commonwealth of Virginia of each year; and

WHEREAS, Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the thousands of American Indians in Virginia that help shape the cultural fabric of our nation and strengthen the Spirit of Virginia through their rich and important culture;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize November 2023, as NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations