President Donald J. Trump on Thursday honored Native Americans and Alaska Natives in a message marking National Native American Heritage Month, saying they “are inextricably linked to the history of our Republic and are integral to our glorious future.”

“During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor the sacrifices and the innumerable contributions of tribal communities to the prosperity and success of our great Nation,” the president wrote in the message, which the White House released.

The message gave special honor to Native Americans who have served in the military. According to the message, they answer the call to service “at five times the national average” and “have served with distinction in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War.”

“As President, I support the empowerment of all Tribes through self-governance, self-determination, and a strong partnership with the Federal Government to foster economic development and address the most pressing challenges for our Native Americans,” Mr. Trump wrote.

The president said that last year he returned 680 acres of federal land to the Spirit Lake Nation of North Dakota, calling it “a long-overdue restoration.” He also said he directed more than $1.1 billion in Indian Housing Block Grants to hundreds of Tribes, Alaska Native Villages and Tribally Designated Housing Entities.

The message said the Bureau of Indian Education reached the highest graduation rate in its history in January. “My Administration will continue to prioritize educational options, training, and meaningful pathways to the workforce of tomorrow so that Native students and communities can enjoy a bright and successful future,” the president wrote.

“We uphold the shared values of family, faith, and freedom, and we will never stop fighting to ensure every Native American has the opportunity to pursue the hope and promise of the American Dream,” he wrote.