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- By Levi Rickert
Unlike his first administration, when he issued a presidential proclamation for Native American Heritage Month, President Donald Trump simply acknowledged the month in a message released by the White House on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
The annual proclamation declaring November as Native American Heritage Month began under President George H.W. Bush and was continued by every U.S. president since. They presidents who released presidential proclamations, include Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Trump stopped the continuation of the proclamations this year with simply a message about Native American Heritage Month.
The message was short on specifics and ignored the realities Native Americans have endured since the United States became a country. It references “generations of Native Americans whose service has strengthened our country,” but does not specify what that service was.
The message also mentions Trump’s promise to advance full federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs — independent from Trump — is scheduled to hear testimony today on a bill that would grant the tribe full federal recognition.
Here is the message released by the White House on Tuesday:
This National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate Native Americans’ enduring contributions to our Nation’s greatness.
From the earliest days of our Republic, our founding principles have endured and guided us. Liberty, equality, and the rule of law—these ideals have guided our country for two and a half centuries, and will continue to light our way for generations to come. But America is more than these abstract ideas—it is a nation. America is a country with borders, laws, and institutions. We are a people—with a common language, history, and culture—and we share a bright future. As we prepare to celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, we honor the generations of Native Americans whose service have strengthened our country.
As President, I remain committed to advancing the prosperity and well-being of all Native Americans. Shortly after retaking office, I delivered on a promise to advance full federal recognition of the great Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina—a recognition that was long overdue. We are also expanding educational freedom and opportunity by allowing students eligible to attend Bureau of Indian Education Schools to use their federal funding for the education option that best meets their needs, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools.
Native Americans have played an instrumental role in helping make the United States the greatest Nation in the world. Their rich culture, traditions, and achievements continue to enrich our society and strengthen the promise of America.
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