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November 20, 2024
American Indian Heritage Month
American Indian Heritage Month NC.pdfGovernor Roy Cooper proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month, celebrating the history, heritage and contributions of North Carolina's eight state recognized tribes including the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony and Waccamaw-Siouan. This month also honor our state's four urban Indian organizations consisting of the Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Triangle Native American Society, and the Guilford, Metrolina Native American Associations.
This year's theme, "NC United Tribes - 50 Years of Tribal Unity", represents the inherit strength of North Carolina's recognized tribes and Indian organizations and honors the more than 130,000 American Indians who call our state home. North Carolina has the second largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River and the seventh largest American Indian population in the United States. In 2021, NC Department of Administration Secretary Pamela Brewington Cashwell made history as the first American Indian woman to head a state cabinet agency in North Carolina. (View a message from DOA Secretary Cashwell here.)
Governor Cooper has been supporting American Indians in North Carolina for many years. He signed H.B. 166, the American Indians Graduating with Honors Act, into law on June 14, 2023. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Jarrod Lowery, an enrolled Lumbee Citizen (R-Robeson). The law allows for "a student that is, or is eligible to be, enrolled as a member of a state or federally recognized Indian Tribe shall be allowed to wear objects of cultural significance as part of the student's regalia at any graduating ceremony," at any public school in North Carolina. The objects of cultural significance are defined as bird feathers or plums.
Governor Cooper, the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission, and the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs honored several American Indians who have provided significant contributions to the field of Education. In celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, the NC Commission of Indian Affairs is again partnering with the NC Museum of History, NC American Indian Heritage Commission, as well as North Carolina American Indian tribes and urban American Indian organizations to coordinate a weekend of special events. The 29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration kicks off with a virtual Education Day on November 22 at 9am, featuring storytelling and pottery among other activities. The November 23 celebration will be held in-person at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and will include various demonstrations and performances highlighting the artistry, customs, and culture of North Carolina's American Indian tribes. Both Events are free and open to the public.
To learn more about the upcoming American Indian Heritage Month Celebration visit the North Carolina Museum of History website.
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