an original Native American Indian trail; and
WHEREAS, The culture and society of indigenous peoples have
contributed to agricultural development, medicinal discoveries,
environmental preservation, commerce, governmental institutions
and structure, music, language, art and many other facets of our
country, Commonwealth and cities; and
WHEREAS, Most Native American Indian tribes were forced to
leave Pennsylvania during the 1700s when indigenous peoples were
being displaced by colonial expansion; and
WHEREAS, Those indigenous peoples not displaced by
colonialism were forced to assimilate into European society; and
WHEREAS, From the 1800s through the 1900s, the race of many
southern and northern Native American Indians was mislabeled,
resulting in the dilution of their identities; and
WHEREAS, There are no federally recognized Native American
Indian tribes or reservations in this Commonwealth today; and
WHEREAS, Many indigenous peoples living in our counties,
cities, townships, boroughs and towns have persevered through
great adversity, trauma and tragedy to maintain their cultural
and ethnic identities; and
WHEREAS, According to 2016 United States Census Bureau
estimates, out of a population of approximately 12.8 million,
almost 64,000 Pennsylvanians identify solely as Native American
Indian and Alaska Native or solely as Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous peoples and their cultures are to be
respected and honored across this Commonwealth and the nation;
and
WHEREAS, The importance of educating the residents of this
Commonwealth about the heritage, history, art, archeology and
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