WHEREAS, North Carolina’s American Indian Heritage Month creates an opportunity to honor and celebrate the great history and heritage of the American Indian people who have lived and worked in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, American Indians have resided in this region of the United States for more than 12,000 years; today, there are more than 130,000 American Indians living in North Carolina, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, representing the second largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River, and the seventh largest American Indian population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to eight state-recognized Indian tribes including the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, and Waccamaw-Siouan; and
WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina is also home to four Urban Indian Organizations that hold membership on the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs including the Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Guilford Native American Association, Metrolina Native American Association, and Triangle Native American Society; and
WHEREAS, American Indians and Indian tribes contribute immensely to the national and state economic development and job creation; according to the 2019 Annual Business Survey, approximately 24,433 American Indians and Alaska Natives owned businesses across the nation with an estimated 200,256 employees generating about $8.2 billion in annual payroll; and
WHEREAS, Indian tribes have a distinct and ongoing history of government-to-government relations with the state of North Carolina, through statutory provisions such as the General Statutes that created the NC Commission of Indian Affairs, the NC Indian Housing Authority, and the State Advisory Council on Indian Education among others; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, North Carolina Museum of History, and North Carolina’s Indian Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations collaborate to develop American Indian Heritage Month celebrations each year for the purpose of increasing awareness of American Indian history and culture; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina’s 2021 American Indian Heritage Month theme is, “Strong Roots in Changing Times” celebrating the resiliency of the American Indians during the pandemic and the continued preservation of American Indian customs and culture; and
WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina encourages people to learn more about the rich history of American Indian culture in our state and commit to preserve American Indian heritage and traditions for generations to come;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November, 2021, as “AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.