Today, the Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation honoring Native American Heritage Month, a nationally recognized honor which has been issued each year since 1994.

This month, the ancestry and time-honored traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in North America are celebrated.  From the American Revolution to combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have fought valiantly in defense of our Nation as dedicated servicemen and women. Their native languages have also played a pivotal role on the battlefield.  During World War I and II, Native American code talkers developed unbreakable codes to communicate military messages that saved countless lives. Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars.

Our debt to our first Americans is immense, as is our responsibility to ensure their fair, equal treatment and honor to the commitments we made to their forebears. The Board of Supervisors encourages Americans of all backgrounds to celebrate the month through appropriate ceremonies and activities.

“I would like to thank my colleagues for acknowledging Native American Heritage Month. I am proud that San Bernardino County is a leader in recognizing and honoring the significant contributions Native Americans have made to the nation,” stated Supervisor James Ramos.