ADOPTED - SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

                                                                                                                                                   Agenda Item No. 12

Introduced by the County Services Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 AS

“MICHIGAN INDIAN DAY” IN INGHAM COUNTY

RESOLUTION #10-287

WHEREAS, Michigan Indian Day was established in 1984 by former Michigan Governor William Milliken to acknowledge the many attributes Native Americans in Michigan have made to the State; and

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 tenth largest in the nation, has the 4^th largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River, and includes 12 federally recognized tribal groups; 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, Michigan Indian Day is an excellent opportunity to 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, the fourth Friday of September has been designated as Michigan Indian Day to honor Michigan’s Native Americans and the multitude of contributions they have made to this great State and Country; and

WHEREAS, to honor this day the Michigan Indian Day Planning Committee, through the Ingham County Health Department's Native American Outreach Program, will hold the 9th Annual Michigan Indian Day Event, entitled Strengthening Health, Strengthening Families: Empowering Indigenous Communities on Friday, September 24 at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing, Michigan.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby designates September 24, 2010 as “Michigan Indian Day” in Ingham County.

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

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Copedge, Celentino, Grebner, McGrain, Vickers

Nays:  None          Absent:  Schor        Approved 9/21/10