CIBOLA COUNTY - On Oct. 30, 2009, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring November 2009 National Native American Heritage Month and proclaimed Nov. 27 as Native American Heritage Day. Recognition tribal leaders had looked toward for decades. “I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities and to celebrate Nov. 27, 2009, as Native American Heritage Day,” declared President Obama.

    The presidential proclamation preceded Obama's first Tribal Summit with tribal leaders held Nov. 5. Fifteen years had elapsed since a summit was last held between a sitting president and tribal leaders. The tribal summit included a week of events spearheaded by Assistant Secretary of Interior Larry EchoHawk. The agenda included meetings with Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar and other members of the president's cabinet. Tribal issues included veterans issues, land and water, housing, economic concerns and tribal sovereignty. More than 400 tribal leaders attended President Obama's Nov. 5 historical address on the state of Indian affairs.

    President Obama acknowledged the misdeeds of the U.S. government in dealing with tribes. In a question and answer session tribal leaders thanked the president for his leadership and asked for his help with issues ranging from land and water to tribal sovereignty. President Obama promised the tribes they would not be forgotten and committed he would follow through, cautioning this was the beginning of the process.

    Moments after learning about the historic Presidential Proclamation honoring tribes via email Sky City's Marketing Director Brianna Mitchell began planning a public celebration for Nov. 27. According to Mitchell there wasn't much time to plan more than three days of celebratory events. The celebration included an eight minute fireworks display the evening of Nov. 27; Acoma dance performances at Sky City Casino; Arts and Crafts at Acoma's Cultural Center and Museum; multi-instrument and flute performances by Adrian Wall of Jemez Pueblo at Sky City Casino. 

    “There have been a lot of people and lots of excitement about the presidential proclamation. It's to honor the First Nations of the United States and recognizes the contributions we Native people made to this country especially at Thanksgiving. We associate Thanksgiving with Native Americans helping the Pilgrims with our crops,” said Adrian Wall.

    Richard Lopez, of Grants, was disappointed to learn he missed the fireworks display; however, Lopez enjoyed the musical presentations at the casino and had high praise for casino staff. Lopez said he plans to book a room for next year's celebration. Lopez said “I heard the announcement for the fireworks show but I was simply too late stepping out of the casino. This was the first year celebrating Native American Heritage Day but next year's will probably be bigger and better.”

    Charlene Lukee, Drop Crew Manager at Sky City Casino said Nov. 27 “has been an exciting and busy day for all of us.” 

    Forty-five autos filled with families parked on the north side of the casino to watch the fireworks display.