An Appalachian Gallery Continued

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An Appalachian Gallery

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Native American Heritage Day

House-Senate Joint Resolution 62

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Native American Heritage Day Act of 2008’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--

(1) Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants of the United States;

(2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the United States Armed Forces and have served with valor in all of the Nation’s military actions from the Revolutionary War through the present day, and in most of those actions, more Native Americans per capita served in the Armed Forces than any other group of Americans;

(3) Native Americans have made distinct and significant contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art, and Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars;

(4) Native Americans should be recognized for their contributions to the United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;

(5) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have made to the fabric of American society will afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their respect and admiration of Native Americans for their important contributions to the political, cultural, and economic life of the United States;

(6) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have made to the Nation will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages;

(7) designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of each year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Native American governments; and

(8) designation of Native American Heritage Day will encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the Nation.

SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY.

Congress--

(1) designates Friday, November 28, 2008, as ‘Native American Heritage Day’; and

(2) encourages the people of the United States, as well as Federal, State, and local governments, and interested groups and organizations to observe Native American Heritage Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, including activities relating to--

(A) the historical status of Native American tribal governments as well as the present day status of Native Americans;

(B) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native Americans; and

(C) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all Americans enjoy today.


To begin exploring American Indian web resources: Click Here.

For Wikipedia's extensive American Indian article: Click Here.

To visit the National Museum of the American Indian: Click Here.

A Classical Thanksgiving Harvest

A Musical Program Courtesy of National Public Radio

1 William Billings: 'An Anthem for Thanksgiving: Praise the Lord of Heaven'

Boston singing master William Billings published songbooks that were popular during the Revolutionary War. Some of his melodies were adapted by the Continental Army as marching tunes. This one fits the holiday perfectly.

Paul Hillier conducts His Majestie's Clerkes. (Harmonia Mundi HCX3957048)

2 Aaron Copland: 'Appalachian Spring'

A satisfying helping of Americana with Leonard Bernstein conducting music Copland composed for Martha Graham. She also suggested the title, which is based on a Hart Crane poem about a source of water, not a season.

Leonard Bernstein conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (Sony 46559)

3 Antonio Vivaldi: 'Autumn' from The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi provided a snapshot of an 18th-century Italian harvest festival in one of his 'Four Seasons.' Vivaldi depicted each season in music with a concerto, and prefaced each with a sonnet. Usually you only hear the music, but this recording features Patrick Stewart reading the sonnet before each movement.

Musica Anima featuring Patrick Stewart and Arnie Roth. (American Gramophon 801)

4. Jay Ungar & Molly Mason: 'Autumn' from Harvest Home Suite

This superb collaboration with violinist Jay Ungar, guitarist-singer Molly Mason and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra evokes the warm feelings and golden light of the harvest season.

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. (EMI 56720)

5 Joseph Curiale: 'Joy' from Awakening (Songs of the Earth)

Music from American composer Joseph Curiale that kicks up the endorphins with its catchy melody and gorgeous orchestration.

Joseph Curiale conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. (Orchard Road 7157)

To listen: Click Here.

Note: A broadband connection is highly recommended.

Journal of Genetic Genealogy

The Journal of Genetic Genealogy is an open access online journal presenting original work involving techniques for analyzing the results of genetic testing.

"The main emphasis of this journal will be to present a forum for articles that may not be appropriate for other established genetics journals since they may be based on datasets in which a statistically random sample cannot be guaranteed (i.e. surname studies). Articles on individual surname studies are welcomed if they illustrate an unusual success story, present a new method of analysis, or would otherwise be of general interest to the genealogical community. Other topics might include insights into mutation rates, geographic patterns in genetic data, information that help to characterize haplogroups, and studies involving mtDNA. Beyond Y chromosomal and mtDNA topics, we encourage articles on new tools that may include X chromosome markers, and ancestrally informative autosomal markers."

This journal is not for the casual reader or anyone without at least a minimal technical understanding of genetic genealogy, but it is one of the few professional journals which is freely available online, not only the current issue but all back issues as well, and those who have studied genetic genealogy in some depth will find it valuable.

To visit the journal: Click Here.

If you would like to first brush up on DNA testing and genetic genealogy: Click Here.

Hancock County Links

This rather Spartan looking web page has many good links to online historical and genealogical data concerning Hancock County, Tennessee and you may find it more useful than Hancock County's GenWeb site.

To visit: Click Here.

Note: Many of the Melungeon links are broken, and in some cases that is just as well. It is prudent to take most Melungeon web sites with a large grain of salt. For a few generally reliable Melungeon web sites, consult the Melungeon section of the MHS Blog's "Links of Interest" page, the portal to which can be found in the sidebar to the right immediately above the MHS Blog archives.

Freedmen's Bureau Online

The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, often referred to as the Freedmen's Bureau, was established in the War Department by an act of March 3, 1865. The Bureau supervised all relief and educational activities relating to refugees and freedmen, including issuing rations, clothing and medicine. The Bureau also assumed custody of confiscated lands or property in the former Confederate States, border states, District of Columbia, and Indian Territory. The bureau records were created or maintained by bureau headquarters, the assistant commissioners and the state superintendents of education and included personnel records and a variety of standard reports concerning bureau programs and conditions in the states.

To visit the Freedmen's Bureau online: Click Here.

To read a lengthy history of the Freedmen's Bureau: Click Here.