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American Indian Heritage Month 2009

American Indian Heritage Month Poster 2009-click for larger imageIn 1986, President Reagan designated November 23-30 as "American Indian Week." Four years later, President Bush proclaimed the first National American Indian Heritage Month. Each year since, U.S. Presidents have proclaimed November as "American Indian Heritage Month."

2009 Presidential Proclamation

NRCS recognizes and celebrates each year the many different cultures to which we have the opportunity to offer our services and programs to; including American Indians.  This provides an opportunity to make people aware of the history of American Indians and their contributions to the world.

One of the ways NRCS nationally celebrates American Indian Heritage Month is by distributing a poster created by an American Indian artist.  Each year, artists from selected states have the opportunity to exhibit his/her talents and heritage on a national level.

For 2009, Alaska, was chosen for 2009 American Indian Heritage Month poster competition.

The theme for this 2009 was "Our Land, Our Animals, Our People, We Are One."

Winning Artist - Andrew Abyo, Alaska

Abyo's art is titled, "We Are All Connected." Abyo describes his work, "We are connected to land and animals. We are connected by touch and feel in spirit. Our ties to land and animals help us survive and connect to our ancestors. We are all connected." 

The narrative on his poster says, "We are connected to the land and to the animals.  In spirit, we are one.  Our ties with the land and animals help us survive.  Listen and feel for the ancestors'' guidance.  we are all connected."

Abyo was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and raised in the Bristol Bay Village of Pilot Point. He is an Aleut/Alutiiq artist and carver who seeks to learn and pass on his cultural traditions. He wants everyone to have a greater understanding of the Alutiiq culture and its rich history. "My goal is to bring out different things that you normally don’t get to see, other than in a museum," he said.


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