ADOPTED - AUGUST 22, 2006

Agenda Item No. 12

 

Introduced by the County Services Committee of the:

 

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MICHIGAN INDIAN WEEK IN INGHAM COUNTY

 

RESOLUTION #06-216

 

WHEREAS, Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the land that now constitutes the County of Ingham, State of Michigan and the United States, according to the 2000 Census, Michigan’s Native population of 125,000 is the ninth largest in the nation and includes twelve federally recognized tribal groups; and

 

WHEREAS, the fourth Friday of September has been designated as Michigan Indian Day to honor Michigan’s Indigenous Peoples and the multitude of contributions they have made to this great State and Country; and

 

WHEREAS, Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to Ingham County and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art, and they have distinguished themselves as local and national leaders, inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars; and

 

WHEREAS, Native tribal governments developed the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of powers that form the foundation of the United States Government and have traditionally exhibited respect for our finite natural resources through deep reverence for Mother Earth; and

 

WHEREAS, Native Americans have served with valor in all of the Nation’s wars from the Revolutionary War through Operation Iraqi Freedom, especially the Navaho Code Talkers, who used their native language and were instrumental in developing one of the most significant and successful military codes of World War II; and

 

WHEREAS, the percentage of Native Americans who have served, relative to other population groups, has often significantly exceeded the percentage of their representation in the population of the United States as a whole, thus demonstrating the disproportionate commitment of Native Americans to the Nation; and

 

WHEREAS, honoring our Indigenous People during Michigan Indian Week will allow Americans of all backgrounds to demonstrate their respect of and admiration for Native Americans for the richness of their contribution to the political, cultural, and economic life of the United States; and

 

WHEREAS, during Michigan Indian Week, there are a number of activities that will be occurring locally and across the state to focus attention on the many cultural and historical contributions of Michigan’s Indigenous community; and

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby designates the week of September 18-22, 2006 as Michigan Indian Week in Ingham County.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board urges all citizens to honor, and recognize the achievements and significant contributions the Indigenous Community has made to the County of Ingham, State of Michigan and the United States.

 

COUNTY SERVICES:   Yeas:  Schor, De Leon, Holman, Copedge, Vickers

    Nays:  None                Absent:  Severino              Approved 8/15/06

ADOPTED