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Home My WebLink About112625 Celebrating Native American Heritage MonthALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. Each November, VA observes Native American History Month. American Indians and Alaska Natives have made key contributions to our country thr <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2Findex.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/LsxlZdjNOkKIRX7Ym9AkYTPiH5hqljhcKV lFx_j7DXg=433> NewsFlash Celebrating Native American Heritage Month Each November, VA observes Native American History Month. American Indians and Alaska Natives have made key contributions to our country throughout American history. Native American veterans have a long history of military service <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.loc.gov%2Fcollections%2Fveterans-history-project-collection%2Fserving-our-voices% 2Fdiverse-experiences-in-service%2Flegacies-of-service-celebrating-native-americans%2F/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/qI0dLHTvsvod43UsrJiC1wADtQWhiI4hWzU_W-He6Ig=433> , a legacy which continues to inform their current participation in the armed forces. Since 9/11, Native Americans have served at a higher per-capita rate than any other ethnic group. While their reasons for serving are as diverse as their tribal affiliations, many cite their desire to follow in the footsteps of family members, as well as the cultural value placed on patriotism, duty, and warrior traditions within their communities. Here, we present the narratives of 18 Native American veterans <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.loc.gov%2Fco llections%2Fveterans-history-project-collection%2Fserving-our-voices%2Fdiverse-experiences-in-service%2Flegacies-of-service-celebrating-native-americans%2F/2/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af- 605524fc7d83-000000/my9nkgaNOWK_ZmjB3xSly39E6YdjsfUuzlvA3W0YLbA=433> , all of whom served in conflicts from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan. Including stories ranging from Navajo Code Talkers to those who traded Indian boarding schools for boot camp, all of these collections explore the meaning and experience of American military service. In Septemeber of 1789, Congress passed a resolution asking that the President of the United States recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving for "sincere and humble thanks". A few days later, President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, 1789 as a "Day of Publick Thanksgivin". On October 3, 1863, President Lincoln declared the traditional Thanksgiving celebration a nationwide holiday to be observed each year on the fourth Thursday of November. <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USVHAVISN20/2025/08/12129896/6360028/nwmireccsmall_crop.png> ➤ NewsFlash <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2Findex.asp/2/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/fX86SOoRQ4pXpe0g8YIDUQO4 WNZstmJwA_l6OU8JN54=433> ➤ Adaptive Sports <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FAdaptiveSports.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/UR_7qVbRz c8OCcOff1NkEmKeOSmZGYJaXALK5MfFCfI=433> ➤ Financial Readiness <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FFinancialReadiness.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/x kpa2hMf1kJfqWXW1UaKf7uJGe9F4Hqobp1SpSiZE4w=433> ➤ Resources <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2Fresources.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/1UhhCj2ol5iuhIhiEuxo RSjTGpkHHTm3gg7xsdTly8g=433> ➤ Service Dogs <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FServiceDogs.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/Klze899dtWHWvFb w0sHE3c1aWgcmMaaQ0-r36TZkPEs=433> ➤ Transition Assistance <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FTransitionAssistance.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-0000 00/scxWnK6zQYFyZUWcKS01WrkFYmppD4c7_Rb1tMn8ups=433> ➤ Warrior Care <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FWarriorCare.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/h8P_iZrZ-3Bh8Gc h4iz0dp2Fl7JpEJEOr8Ul6yQCKEM=433> FORWARD MARCH: Originally a single day, set aside in 1915, has become a month dedicated to celebrating the critical role of American Indians and Alaska Natives in our history. <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USVHAVISN20/2025/11/12752087/6575438/nativeamericanheritagemonth_crop.png> In 1986, President Reagan signed into law a resolution establishing the last week of November as American Indian Week. Finally, in 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a law designating the entire month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, a culmination of efforts to honor the history and achievements of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Since 2009, Presidents have issued proclamations declaring November as National Native American Heritage Month. According to the United States Department of War (DoW), American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the U.S. Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USVHAVISN20/2025/11/12752109/6575439/eagle_crop.jpg> VA's Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 20 serves Alaska, Washington, Oregon, most of Idaho, and one county each in Montana and California. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. Anchorage Alaska VA Healthcare System was opened in 1992 and a partnership was established with VA and Indian Health Service. The "Indian Health Amendments of 1992." reauthorized appropriations for health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Spanning 23% of US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/USVHAVISN20/2022/05/5917280/white-va-signature_original.png> VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) Mail Stop: P3MIRECC 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.vetcenter.va.gov%2F/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/7PKeJoMEa4_s h214hPmIEbC595Im5kyQxABpOXILtR0=433> that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Vet Center Call Center 1-877-927-8387 (1-877-WAR-VETS) <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.vetcenter.va.gov%2FVETCENTER%2Fmedia%2FCall-Center-PSA.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/qfWSc7 NaDCdAjIaVjQz6t8nDWaeVkCJ6Yc_wcrtGw_U=433> is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center. Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans may dial 988 and press 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may reach the Veterans Crisis Line through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.veteranscrisisline.net%2Fget-help-now%2Fchat%2F/1/0100019ac269a928-c f8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/YAxm6KAfosD22ZF2qPIpQKhY4jVQIy2bre7I1SBzwvE=433> ). Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care: Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your nearest VA medical center by using the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) map <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.va.gov%2FHEALTH%2Fvisns.asp/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/tNWVRSE0pjgh989ZhwKGxPiKdSi NOfcghYtiE0SSH30=433> . Along with links to every VA medical center, VISN resources provide Annual Reports, Points of Contact, and biosketches of VA leadership. Financial Readiness resources are also for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a financial advisor for advice on savings and investments. Investing in your future means saving for retirement, college or a rainy day fund. If you're working with an investment professional, or someone is trying to sell you an investment, check them out before handing over your hard-earned money <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fadviserinfo.sec.gov%2F/1/0100019ac269a928-cf8c6e93-068f-44bb-a9af-605524fc7d83-000000/jhFpMrXKi1V27uiErzcJJE-_nQiUd7zj0KUwW9ZsuRs=433> . NewsFlash pages may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites. 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