Indigenous Peoples Subcommittee Chair Ruben Gallego Blasts Trump Move to Undermine Native American History Month
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples, released the following statement in response to a White House announcement that President Trump is proclaiming November "National American History and Founders Month," sidelining the long-celebrated Native American Heritage Month:
"It's not surprising that a President who regularly uses Native American slurs and dismisses the concerns of Indigenous people doesn't understand the importance of Native American Heritage Month.
"By issuing this proclamation during Native American Heritage Month, Donald Trump has taken his racism to a new level. This announcement is an incredible insult to the Indigenous communities whose histories, cultures, and people we have honored every November for nearly 30 years.
"November is about honoring the history and culture of Native communities. It is also a time when we should remember and atone for our history of colonialist policies and genocide of Native peoples – not celebrate them. We should be learning from our Indigenous brothers and sisters this month, not discarding their storied history."
Rep. Ruben Gallego serves as Chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples.
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