Recognizing the contributions Native Americans have made to the Philadelphia area and the country on the occasion of Native American Heritage Day, which occurs the Friday after Thanksgiving.

WHEREAS, On July 26, 2009, Congress enacted the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 honoring their contributions to the United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars who enhance the political, cultural, an economic life of the country; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama has proclaimed November 2009 as National Native American Heritage Month to reflect his determination that these communities have a meaningful voice in our national policy debates as we confront the challenges facing all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a rich Native American culture comprised of several

Indian tribes including the Cherokee Indians. The Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy of Pennsylvania, was designated as an official Cherokee group in July 1988, with Buffy Red Feather Brown's appointment as Chief, and now counts over 18,000 Native Americans within the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The City has benefitted enormously from the Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy's contributions to cultural preservation, linguistics, education and the arts. Some of their accomplishments include sponsoring the annual Cherokee Festival, maintaining a 4-year scholarship fund, and preserving the tribal language among many others achievements; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize the contributions Native Americans have made to the Philadelphia area and the country on the occasion of Native American Heritage Day.

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