Native American Heritage Day
Title: Indian Country 53 #48 – REthink [Remix] (Native American Heritage Day)
Subject: Commercialism, Capitalism, and Native Americans
Created: Original 2015, Remix 2025
Medium: Graphic Design
Software: Adobe Illustrator CC & Adobe Photoshop CC
Dimensions: 36″x48″
Original Post: Indian Country 52 #48 – REthink
Article
“Black Friday. It’s a de facto commercial holiday when millions of Americans stand in line for hours on end outside chain stores, often in bone-chilling temperatures, in the hopes of getting the latest and shiniest whatever at discounted prices.
But November 27 is not just Black Friday. By presidential proclamation, it is also Native American Heritage Day.
This, folks, is egregious.
November is Native American Heritage Month. Its roots date back to 1900 when Arthur Caswell Parker, who was Seneca and is the founder of the National Congress of American Indians, first advocated for a day to recognize this country’s indigenous population.
In 1914, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot, rode horseback for thousands of miles, through several states, before finally arriving in Washington to petition President Woodrow Wilson for an “Indian Day.”
Fast forward to 2009, and Congress and President Barack Obama finally designated the Friday following Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. Of course, Native Americans are not opposed to a day set aside to recognize our achievements, our continuing contributions and especially our service to this country (per capita, Native Americans serve in the military more than any other ethnic group). What we are opposed to is sharing the day with something as trivial as Black Friday.”
– CNN, Time to pick new Native American Heritage Day.
Download the 8.5″x11″ print, Indian Country 52 #48 – REthink (Remix).
Close Ups
Indian Country 52
Indian Country 52 is a weekly series of artworks by Ihanktonwan Dakota artist David Bernie that addresses issues and stories in Native American and First Nations communities.
Creative Commons License
Indian Country 52 #48: REthink [Remix] © 2015-2025 by David Bernie is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
. You may download, share, and post the images under the condition that the works are attributed to the artist.
