Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Native American Heritage Day
For Immediate Release: Friday 26 November
Today our nation celebrates Native American Heritage Day, which is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving. Our County’s history and treatment of the original people who occupied this land is filled with oppression and objectification that we’ve never honestly confronted as a society, and have never sought to try to address the harm that was done. The discussion of equity often does not include Native Americans as much as it should, which is why it is imperative that we educate people about how our nation has treated Native Americans both in the past and in the present. We need to engage with this community more and acknowledge their role in shaping our history and culture.
Montgomery County is committed to supporting and promoting our Native American residents and their history, but at the national level we need a commitment to unwind the injustices that are wrapped up in Federal and State policies toward Native American communities. We all need to address development of policies and programs that will improve the quality of life for Native Americans here and throughout our nation.
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Release ID: 21-032