Native American Heritage Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, every November, the Senate observes Native American Heritage Month to recognize the contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to the United States.

Today, the promise of Native achievement burns brighter than ever. Just a few months ago, Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, became the Nation's 23rd Poet Laureate. The first Native American appointed to the laureateship in the history of the Library of Congress, Ms. Harjo is an inspiration to the next generation of Native American writers, poets, and artists to share their diverse and powerful voices with the world.

In this spirit, I am proud to have worked with Ms. Harjo, the Library of Congress, the Institute of American Indian Arts, and the Boys and Girls Club of America to host an exhibition of Native student poetry in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building this month. The display showcases Ms. Harjo's poetry alongside original works written by Autumn Abeyta, Ambrosia Morning Gun, Jewel Palmer, Paige Hannan, Lindsey Toya-Tosa, Delaney Keshena, and Rebekkah Autaubo--Native students attending schools in my home state of New Mexico and representing Tribes in New Mexico, Montana, New York, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.

This year's inaugural exhibit represents the countless ways Native peoples have harnessed their strength, resilience, and unique perspectives to shape nearly every facet of our national identity.

As the vice chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, I work every day to achieve Indian Country's priorities and uphold the Federal Government's trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Country. I hope this month will serve as an opportunity for this entire body to reexamine how we can strengthen our commitment to Native peoples and recommit to our shared responsibilities.

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