Vincent Armenta: Striving for a better future in Indian Country

Our tribe strives to honor our past, and build a better future for the next generations, throughout the year. But National American Indian Heritage month every November puts a special spotlight on this country’s native peoples.

One shouldn’t misconstrue the word “heritage” in the month’s title as meaning only something in the past. There are more than 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States, including us, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. For us, keeping the wisdom and traditions of tribal ancestors alive, while remembering the hardships they encountered, is part of the cultural life of our tribe. It is our obligation and privilege to make sure this lives on through our children and grandchildren.

Other federally recognized tribes in California and across the country are also hard at work every day to honor their past, present and future.

American Indian Heritage month began nationwide with a presidential proclamation in 1990 noting that the U.S. Constitution affirms the government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. “Today we reaffirm our support for increased Indian control over tribal government affairs,” the proclamation goes on to say. “And we look forward to still greater economic independence and self-sufficiency for Native Americans.”