Celebrating Presidents Day
President Calvin Coolidge meeting with a delegation of Native Americans at the White House. 1923. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, LC-DIG-hec-43687
President John F. Kennedy with Delegates to the American Indian Chicago Conference, 12:05PM. 15 August 1962. ST-C28-4-62. Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.
Celebrating the Presidents who made a positive impact on the lives of Indigenous people and a future full of possibilities. Check out their stories this PresidentsDay! #educatenotseparate
Calvin Coolidge (1923-29), while known for the assuming nature of his office, some even calling him "Silent Cal," made great strides in reorganizing federal Indian policy. Coolidge set in motion the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted U.S. citizenship to every Native American. This act helped pave the way for future policies geared toward improvement in the lives of Indigenous peoples across America.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-45), as the president who inherited the devastating challenges of the Great Depression, introduced life-changing policies for both Native and Non-Native peoples across America in the form of the New Deal and the Indian New Deal. The primary legislation was the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA), made possible by Coolidge's administration.
John F. Kennedy (1961-63), while his presidency was cut short he made an effort to change the inadequacies in Native lives. He met and listened to Native peoples and eventually starting public housing on Reservations. He served at the beginning of the Tribal Self Determination Era, with his administration laying the groundwork for the later Indian Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act of 1975.
Barack Obama (2009-2017), as we know, even in more modern times there is still ground to tread in Native Policies. Obama initiated the annual Tribal Nations Summit at the White House to engage with tribal leaders and order agencies to create detailed consolation policies. As President, he also signed Executive order 13592 to improve Native educational opportunities.
President Roosevelt and Pueblo Indians. 1936. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, LC-DIG-hec-47234
President Obama at the White House Tribal Nations Conference. Credit...Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
Photo Credits:
President Calvin Coolidge meeting with a delegation of Native Americans at the White House. 1923. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, LC-DIG-hec-43687
President Roosevelt and Pueblo Indians. 1936. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, LC-DIG-hec-47234
President John F. Kennedy with Delegates to the American Indian Chicago Conference, 12:05PM. 15 August 1962. ST-C28-4-62. Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.
President Obama at the White House Tribal Nations Conference. Credit...Stephen Crowley/The New York Times