Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
November 3, 2021
At the November 2, 2021 Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) meeting, Cara Curtin, who chairs the American Indian Committee of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), accepted a proclamation from Fernandina Beach Mayor Mike Lednovich proclaiming the month of November 2021 “National Native American Heritage Month.”
The Proclamation called attention to the valuable contributions of Native Americans as well as deplorable violence directed against these people in the past. “While we cannot undo the pain and tragedy of the past, we can set out together to forge a brighter future of progress and hope across Indian Country and the entire American landscape,” Lednovich read.
In accepting the Proclamation, which the City delivers each year, Curtin explained a bit about the DAR’s involvement in helping Native Americans, dating back to the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Every one of the 3,000 DAR chapters nationwide has a committee to promote the welfare of Native Americans, especially children on reservations.
Curtin went on to say that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit reservations especially hard. With the upcoming holidays, she said, “This year’s Toys For Tots drive is concentrating especially on Native American children. If you are beginning to think about Christmas this year, I advise you to think about Toys For Tots for Native American Children.”