What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

One of the very proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kansas, formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

The year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On Dec. 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a national day being proclaimed.

The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday.

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.

*Information sourced from:

https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

Local Resources:

American Indian Health Service of Chicago

Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative

Field Museum Exhibit – Native Truths: Our Voice, Our Stories

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian

Register today!

For many of us, fall is our favorite time of year. It’s not just about the beautiful colors but what it represents. While every season is a time of transformation, fall also represents ripeness, maturity, abundance, and prosperity.   

“Engagement” has become a buzzword in our industry. When everyone can define it for themselves, it loses its meaning for everyone.   

As we transition from this season of abundance to the next season of hibernation, we think it’s important to remind ourselves of the importance of engagement and what it represents, both professionally and personally.  

Please join us for a compelling, comedic, and motivational program on engagement that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to engage more fully with your life. 

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

We have a variety of options to gain exposure during this event such as a table sponsor, video commercials, branding sponsors, and more!

Check out sponsorship opportunities at MPI-CAC 2022 Signature Luncheon here.

Planners

Would you like to apply to be a Hosted Planner and potentially attend this event for free? Signature Luncheon is too good to miss!

Complete the Hosted Planner Request Form and we will make every effort to match you with a supplier to host you as their guest.

Matching will take place two weeks prior to the event date and you will be connected via email with your supplier. If a match is unavailable, you will be notified seven days in advance of the event and will still be able to register at the early registration rate.

Any questions? Contact us at info@mpicac.org.