DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, DNC Native Caucus Chair Clara Pratte, and DNC AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong released the following statement commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day: 

“Today and every day, we honor the contributions and resiliency of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Indigenous people have made historic and meaningful contributions to our country, and we’re honored to celebrate their stories, strength, and determination. The Biden-Harris administration is proud to be the first in history to issue a presidential proclamation marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and will continue to honor Native culture and their rich past and present, as we look toward creating a brighter future. 

“President Biden and Vice President Harris are dedicated advocates for Indigenous communities, and are steadfast in upholding their responsibility to Tribal Nations. From the minute they took office, they have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Indigenous communities nationwide. Through the American Rescue Plan, Congress authorized the largest direct federal investment in Tribal Nations — $32 billion — in history. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary and a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe, also helped form a new Missing & Murdered Unit to bring justice for missing and murdered Indigenous people. President Biden and Vice President Harris are tackling the impacts of climate change on Native Hawaiian communities, and new federal guidance instructs the use of the Hawaiian language in commemoration of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or Hawaiian Language Month.

“As Democrats continue to uplift Indigenous peoples, extreme MAGA Republicans are attempting to silence their voices through voting restrictions and gerrymandered congressional maps. We cannot let them win. Our country’s strength lies in our diversity, and Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz will fight every day to build on our progress, protect Tribal lands, and invest in Indigenous communities. There is still more work to do, but on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to America’s first stewards and ensure Indigenous communities continue to thrive.”