Charliene McWeeny Staff Writer

In the United States alone there are 500 Native American Nations, each one different, and each one unique.

Since 1990 when George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating that November is National American Indian Heritage Month. From November of 1994 to the present year a National month has been issued for Native Americans.

Shanna Tsumptin a student here at Pierce is of the Yakama Nation; in 1855 the treaty was signed. Shortly after Chief Kamiakin of Yakama Nation and other tribes started what would be known as the Yakama War erupted, and ended in 1859.

By the mid-1990’s Yakama Nation renamed themselves from Yakima like the city to Yakama because it’s the original spelling.

Tsumptin said, “I believe Native Americans are unrepresented. There’s just not enough exposure for Native Americans.”

It also isn’t very well known that Native American’s have the highest percentage than any other ethnic group serving in the military, and they have served with distinction for over 200 years.

Throughout all the history books Native Americans have been fought, killed off by disease, and their land taken from them. Many today believe there should be a Holiday Honoring them, Tsumptin said, “There are many who think that Columbus Day should be replaced with a Native American Holiday.”

There is 29 different Native American Tribes here in Washington. Being a coastal state many are near or on the water, but the two biggest reservations both over one million acres are located north and south central Washington. One of which is the Yakama Nation.

For many Tribes language was starting to go extinct if it hadn’t all ready, but in recent years many Tribes have been trying to bring back the “Old Ways” or at least some tradition such as mother tongues, horse back riding, and even hunting for newer generations and generations yet to come.