WASHINGTON- Rep. Grijalva released the following statement in honor of National Native American Heritage Month celebrated during the month of November.

“Today marks the first day of Native American Heritage month. This month grants us an opportunity to acknowledge and embrace the historical and current impacts American Indian and Alaska Natives have in our country. We must continue to protect the diversity reflected in the First people in language, respect the culture and traditions, and see it as a point of appreciation not appropriation.

Yet, as we reflect upon these contributions, we must also consider the unique history and challenges facing our Native brothers and sisters. We have an atrocious history of injustice, with the indigenous peoples of this land, that goes against the very values of our country and one that we must work tirelessly to rectify.

Native American Heritage Month allows us to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the First Americans are honored for their resiliency and history.”