McHenry County College is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, on original and ancestral homelands of Peoria, Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi), Myaami) (Miami), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux), Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk), Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) peoples, whose presence in the area predates historical memory. Let us recognize and honor the care and heritage of all Indigenous peoples who have called and continue to call this land their home. (credit: Dr. Steve A. Young, Ph.D.)
The Indian Land Tenure Foundation is working to help Indigenous Nations recover their land. Visit their website to learn how you support their work.
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Regular Library Hours
Monday through Thursday
8:00am to 7:00pm
Friday
8:00am to 4:30pm
Library Closed
Monday January 15
Spring Break Hours
March 25 - March 29
Monday through Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
Dr. Arthur C. Parker was a Seneca Indian and the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York. He became one of the first to advocate for a day set aside to honor Native Americans. He first partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to set aside such a day for the "First Americans."
In 1914, Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfoot tribe, rode on horseback around the U.S. petitioning state governments to recognize a day to honor Native Americans. His ride ended at the White House, where he delivered endorsements from officials of 24 states.
In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association met to formally designate American Indian Day. Their proclamation contained "the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens."
Finally in May 1916, the governor of New York proclaimed the second Saturday in May the first American Indian Day. Illinois declared a recognition day in 1919.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush designated November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month, now known as Native American Heritage Month.
Source:
The Library of Congress, et al. “National Native American Heritage Month.” National Native American Heritage Month, http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/.