Celebrating the First Americans

November is National Native American Heritage Month. A tradition officially started by George H.W. Bush back in 1990, this month serves as a time to celebrate our nation’s first Americans and their abundant history, culture, languages, and traditions.

However, as an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, my Native American heritage is something I celebrate not just in November, but every month of the year.

This is something I learned firsthand through my family, who made sure to illustrate the traditions of our tribe every single day. In fact, many of my family members made substantial contributions to the Chickasaw Nation through their service. My great, great grandfather was the clerk for the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court, my great grandfather was the Treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation, and my great aunt, Te Ata Fisher, was a very well-known storyteller and actress who traveled all over the globe performing Native American stories. Additionally, I would be remiss not to mention my lovely late mother, Helen Cole, who was the first Tribal woman elected to the Oklahoma State Senate.

My mother, as well as so many others, made sure to truly teach me what it means to be a part of Indian Country. She taught me about our cultural heritage and our rich history. She taught me that Native Americans are resilient and unwavering in our way of life – something perfectly articulated through the Chickasaw Nation’s saying: “Unconquered and Unconquerable.”

Additionally, my family educated me on our country’s duty to honor its federal trust responsibility. From a young age, I was taught that Native Americans were the first Americans, who governed themselves before settlers arrived. Therefore, through legally binding agreements, the United States is obligated to provide services and federal resources to them.

Moreover, due to this constitutional oath, tribal nations and the federal government must have respect for one another. They must work together in this mission to not only preserve the rich history of Native American heritage but also to ensure that Indian Country is provided with basic resources.

As the most senior Native American in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and the first Native American Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, this is a priority of mine and I am so proud to be a voice for Indian Country in the United States Capitol.

So, as we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month this November and always, I encourage everyone to remember the role that Native Americans have played in our country’s history, as tribes have had tremendous influence on the land in which we live.

Happy National Native American Heritage Month to my fellow tribal citizens!