Native American Day

Native Americans are considered to be the first Americans to live in and populate the United States. By the time the first explorers and settlers arrived from Europe, Native Americans had populated the entire North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf of Mexico all the way to the northern reaches of Canada.

In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution calling for a holiday called “American Indian Day”, to be held the Fourth Friday in September. In 1998, the California Assembly passed AB 1953, which made Native American Day an official state holiday, observed annually on the fourth Friday in September. Section One of the bill states The Legislature hereby finds and declares the following:

1. An emphasis on freedom, justice, patriotism, and representative government have always been elements of Native American culture, and Native Americans have shown their willingness to fight and die for this nation in foreign lands.

2. Native Americans honor the American flag at every pow wow and at many gatherings, and remember veterans through song, music, and dance.

3. Native Americans use songs to honor the men and women of this country who have fought for freedom.
   

4. Native Americans love the land that has nurtured their parents, grandparents, and unnamed elders since time began, and they honor the Earth that has brought life to the people since time immemorial.

5. Native Americans have given much to this country, and in recognition of this fact, it is fitting that this state returns the honor by recognizing Native Americans for all of their offerings to this beloved land through the establishment of a state holiday referred to as "Native American Day."

We strive to help our students grow into knowledgeable, responsible citizens by teaching them about the founding of our nation and state with an emphasis on the formation of California and the contributions of the Native Americans in fourth grade. 

California has long been home to American Indian peoples, who lived along the coast, in the river valleys, and in the desert areas. Students learn about the major language groups of the American Indians and their distribution, social organization, legends and beliefs, and economic activities. They study the extent to which early people of California depended on, adapted to, and modified the physical environment by cultivation and how each tribe interacted with tribes of other regions to trade for resources not available to them in their home regions.

Saint Andrew’s is also fortunate to have a presenter come in and demonstrate how the California Ohlone tribes used the resources around them to survive. This is a highly interactive presentation that involves the students in fun and educational activities.

Working in pairs, students research and report on a specific California Native American tribe. They create detailed bibliographies of their research and present the report to their classmates. They will also research native plants used by the earliest Californians and create a poster that displays how the plants were used (Food, medicine, etc.)

At Saint Andrew’s, we are proud to honor the heritage of all of our students and to celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our state and nation.