About Native American Holiday Observance
Edythe Lenore Varner Hammer
Edythe Lenore Varner was born on September 5, 1900 in Adams Township, Cambria County, PA. She was the oldest of five children that included herself, Bessie, Mayme, Olive and Helen. Her parents were Irving Varner and Mary Catherine Horner Varner. Beginning sometime around April 14, 1917 she began a letter writing campaign to all of the US Governors to adopt a National Native American Holiday on the second Saturday of May. Her efforts were successful in a few of the US States and she is widely recognized and accepted as the catalyst of this Holiday Observance by several States today. She was rewarded for her efforts by a personal visit from Chief Red Fox James and Sitting Eagle who created an artwork from a quill pen and linen handkerchief in gratitude for her efforts. Both men were of the Crow Indian Nation and rode 4,006 miles from Montana to the White House with her letters to hand deliver them and the endorsements of 24 Governors to adopt this observance.