NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2016
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As the First Americans, Native Americans have helped shape the future of the United States through every turn of our history. Today, young American Indians and Alaska Natives embrace open-ended possibility and are determining their own destinies. During National Native American Heritage Month, we pledge to maintain the meaningful partnerships we have with tribal nations, and we renew our commitment to our nation-to-nation relationships as we seek to give all our children the future they deserve.
Over our long shared history, there have been too many unfortunate chapters of pain and tragedy, discrimination and injustice. We must acknowledge that history while recognizing that the future is still ours to write. That is why my Administration remains dedicated to strengthening our government-to-government relationships with tribal nations and working to improve the lives of all our people. Three years ago, I issued an Executive Order establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs to help ensure the Federal Government engages in true and lasting relationships with tribes and promotes the development of prosperous and resilient tribal communities. Last month, I hosted the eighth Tribal Nations Conference and brought tribal leaders together to identify key issues we still face. We have worked to better protect sacred lands and restored many acres of tribal homelands, as well as supported greater representation of indigenous peoples before the United Nations and called for further implementation of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. And we have taken steps to strengthen tribal sovereignty in criminal justice matters, including through the Tribal Law and Order Act.
Through the Affordable Care Act and permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, we empowered more Native Americans to access the quality health care they need to live full, healthy lives. Throughout their lives, 84 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls will experience some form of violence, and in 2013, I signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which allows tribes to prosecute non-Native individuals who commit acts of domestic violence in Indian Country. And through the North American Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, we are strengthening regional coordination on the rights of women and girls from indigenous communities across the continent.
In recognition of the immeasurable contributions that Native Americans have made to our Nation, we continue to advocate for expanding opportunity across Indian Country. We have supported tribal colleges and universities and worked to return control of education to tribal nations -- not only to prepare Native youth for the demands of future employment, but also to promote their own tribal languages and cultures. We are investing in job training and clean-energy projects, infrastructure, and high-speed internet that connects Native American communities to the broader economy. We are connecting more young people and fostering a national dialogue to empower the next generation of Native leaders through the Generation Indigenous initiative. Through www.NativeOneStop.gov, we have also worked to improve coordination and access to Federal services throughout Indian Country. Indian Country still faces many challenges, but we have made significant progress together since I took office, and we must never give up on our pursuit of the ever brighter future that lies ahead.
This month, let us celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native Americans and ensure their rich histories and contributions can thrive with each passing generation. Let us continue to build on the advancements we have made, because enduring progress will depend on our dedication to honoring our trust and treaty responsibilities. With sustained effort and unwavering optimism, we can ensure a vibrant and resilient Indian Country filled with possibility and prosperity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2016 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 25, 2016, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
BARACK OBAMA
Our recent U.S. presidential election has shocked many and left questions about the future of our communities and nation. Student Life's Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity and Interfaith Center staff reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion, to productive, authentic and mutually respectful cross-cultural dialogue, and to positive social change-based education and equality for all.
We stand by each other and lift each other up as one campus, state, nation and global community. We choose to see differences across social identities - including political affiliation - as strengthening our community, rather than dividing it. Socially just education, inclusive learning spaces, and supportive communities are more important now than ever, and we encourage all of UMBC to commit and/or recommit to it with us.
We know these are challenging times for all of us. Now and in the days ahead, we must come together to reaffirm our values of diversity, inclusion and social justice - especially in support of our community members who may be feeling fearful and vulnerable. If you witness or hear disruptive behavior, an act of intolerance, or other behaviors of concern on campus or in our surrounding communities, please following these suggested reporting options:
Behavioral Risk Assessment and Consultation Team (BRACT), 410-455-2393- http://www.umbc.edu/saf/staff/bract.php
UMBC Hate and Bias Response Policy and Procedures
http://police.umbc.edu/files/2016/09/8.0-Hate-and-Violence-policy-procedures-1.pdf
UMBC Counseling Center, 410-455-2472, http://counseling.umbc.edu/
Division of Student Affairs, 410-455-2393, http://www.umbc.edu/saf/
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm at 410-455-2686 or mosaic@umbc.edu if you feel the need to talk, process feelings, or just need time to take a break.
Onwards and Upwards,
Lisa, Krutika and Joe - Student Life's Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity Staff
]]>In response to last year’s election season, the SGA is working to prevent identical situations like it in the future. SGA Senators Evan Leiter-Mason and Collin Sullivan have been working on amending implementing two major pieces of legislation to ensure a successful election season this year.
A Synopsis of Changes to the Election Policy
Fixes the Board to 7 members, and requires that 2 members each by appointed by the Election Board Chair, the Speaker of the Senate, and the Chair of the Finance Board
Establishes the duties of the Election Board Chair to publicize the election and candidates, report complaints to the Election Board and investigate them, maintain a shared email account, and publicize sanctions
Requires the Election Board to exercise due process in its investigations and binds the Election Board to an evidence standard of “more likely than not”
Requires the Election Board to vote and deliberate in person, except when voting to either dismiss a complaint or open an official investigation. In those cases, the Election Board is permitted to utilize official UMBC email
Bans in-person campaigning at the Shady Grove satellite campus
Explicitly requires the Election Board Chair to certify election results
Why the Election Policy is Being Amended
Helps prevent election fraud from either candidates or the Election Board
Makes SGA more accountable by providing clearer language throughout the policy
Identifies key problems throughout the past several years during the Election Season.
A Synopsis of Implementation of the Appeal Board
A new Board that will hear any cases where one party feels another party has violated any SGA Guiding Document
Consists of 5 voting members: one member from each charter organization on campus - (seb), The Retriever, RSA, and 2 members nominated by the President and confirmed with Joint Legislation
The Convener is an individual determined by the Director of Student Life who is a faculty or staff member from The Division of Student Affairs. The Convener will only call the Board to meet, and act as a contact for petitions, and will have no voting rights on the Board.
Petitions submitted to the Convener is what will call the Board to meet. A petition must be signed by either 5% of the undergraduate population, or a petition signed by 7 sitting elected SGA Officials.
The Board will hear both sides of any particular case and make a final ruling. Their final decision will stand
Why the Board is Being Established
Allows for SGA to handle charges and accusations in-house; we will no longer need a last minute bail-out from administrators
A completely new system that is unlike Supreme Courts used across the nation that are plagued with corruption
This Board would have enabled SGA to internally resolve the problems from last year’s election
All legislation is now available to the public as a read-only document. Any and all feedback is encouraged in the comments section below. Or, if you wish, please feel free to contact the writers of the legislation at leiter1@umbc.edu or csulli1@umbc.edu. The Joint Legislation is expected to pass by the end of November, followed by a Special Election to approve the constitutional amendments. The Special Election is open to all undergraduate students at UMBC. More details, including time, location, administration of the election, and dates, will be announced in the near future.
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