On Indigenous Peoples Day we honor the strength, courage and resilience of indigenous peoples. We celebrate the enormous contributions of indigenous communities to the world. And we recommit to respecting tribal sovereignty and self-determination and working to usher in a new era of our nation-to-nation relations.

The history of the indigenous peoples of the Americas is marked by perseverance, survival, and a deep commitment to and pride in their heritage, right to self-government, and ways of life. Since time immemorial, indigenous peoples have built and maintained powerful tribal nations, cultivated rich cultures, and established vibrant communities. And their discoveries and knowledge continue to benefit us today. But because of our nation’s past failed policies, generations of Indigenous peoples have suffered brutality, violence and intimidation. They were forced to leave their homeland, prohibited from speaking their own language and practicing their sacred traditions, and forced to assimilate. Indigenous lives were lost, livelihoods were ripped away and communities were fundamentally changed. Despite the trauma and turmoil, Indigenous peoples have persevered and survived. Their stories are a testament to the courage and determination of generations to preserve their heritage, culture and identity for those who come after them.

Today, Indigenous peoples are leading in every way possible, sharing their history and strengthening their communities. They also steward lands and waters, grow our shared prosperity, and celebrate the well-being of our nation, while pushing us to tell the full truth of our history. Indigenous peoples have long served in the U.S. military and fought for democracy. And Native communities remain an integral part of the fabric of the United States, contributing so much to our shared prosperity.

I remain committed to writing a new and better chapter in our history. To make this new era of self-determination a reality, we must fulfill the solemn commitments the United States has made to uphold our trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations and to work together to rebuild tribal economies and institutions.

From day one, I’ve worked to include Indigenous voices at the table in everything we do. I have appointed Native Americans to lead the entire federal government, including Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland – America’s first Native American Cabinet Secretary – and so many others who serve key roles in my administration. I was proud to re-establish the White House Council on Native American Affairs to help coordinate policy. Together, we have taken historic steps to improve the consultation process between federal agencies and tribal nations.

I also believe that tribal nations know best what is good for their communities, and that they do better when they make their own decisions. That’s why I signed an Executive Order to respect the relationship between nations by ensuring that federal agencies respect tribal autonomy and reduce red tape so tribal leaders can deliver results for their communities. At the same time, we are strengthening the Buy Indian Act so that federal agencies receive more goods and services from Native businesses. These initiatives will help grow tribal economies while respecting tribal sovereignty and the right of tribal nations to build a future on their own terms.

Since I took office, the federal government has made record investments in tribal nations. My American Rescue Plan – the largest direct federal investment in tribal nations ever – has helped provide COVID-19 vaccinations to tribal communities and restarted our economy. My bipartisan infrastructure bill is the single largest investment in tribal roads, bridges, water, high-speed internet, electricity, irrigation, environmental cleanup and more. My Inflation Reduction Act is the largest investment in the fight against climate change anywhere in the history of the world. It helps tribal communities lead the clean energy transition and mitigate the impact of droughts, wildfires and rising sea levels that threaten indigenous lives and precious homelands. My administration has also increased resources to combat the opioid epidemic and expand access to crisis care in tribal communities. Given that Native American women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, my Administration has taken important steps to improve maternal health. And my government has also secured the first-ever pre-funding for India’s healthcare system, so hospitals can plan ahead, order supplies and hire doctors.

When my Administration reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act in 2022, we included historic provisions to reaffirm tribal sovereignty and expand tribal jurisdiction in cases where external perpetrators harm members of their nation. And recognizing the ties of indigenous peoples in North America, I supported a trilateral working group with Canada and Mexico to ensure that indigenous women and girls in all three countries can live free from violence.

My government also protects important ancestral tribal lands and waters. I have protected and conserved more than 42 million acres of our nation’s lands and waters. I have established, expanded or restored 11 national monuments, including Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and others featuring places considered sacred to tribal nations. We promote the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, which stretches along 186 miles of California coastline and has been home to coastal, seagoing tribes and indigenous peoples for tens of thousands of years. My administration has also signed more than 190 co-management or co-management agreements with Tribes, and we are working to sign more.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we recognize that it takes hard work to heal the wrongs of the past, change course and move forward, but together nothing is beyond our ability. May we be proud of the progress we have made to establish a new era of tribal sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination – an era based on dignity, respect and friendship.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, hereby proclaim October 14, 2024, as Indigenous People’s Day. I call on the people of the United States to celebrate this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day to honor our diverse history and the indigenous peoples who help shape this nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have consecrated my hand heretofore the eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-nine.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.