Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (1).pdf
WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to a population of more than 130,000 American Indians, the largest east of the Mississippi, and eight historic tribes: the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi, Sappony, and Waccamaw-Siouan, in accordance with Chapter 71A-3 of North Carolina’s General Statutes; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Justice, American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average; this day brings awareness to the many American Indian women who go missing or are murdered each year across the country; and
WHEREAS, over the past 60 years, North Carolina has had approximately 106 cases involving missing and murdered American Indians with 57 percent of those being women and girls; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina has four urban Indian organizations including the Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Guilford Native American Association, Metrolina Native American Association, and the Triangle Native American Society; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs was created in 1971 by the North Carolina General Assembly to advocate for local, regional, and national American Indian concerns; the Commission has taken steps to address the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women through partnerships with Indian tribes and urban Indian associations; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina affirms the inherent rights of American Indians and understands that addressing the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is critical to upholding their human rights and ensuring justice for victims and their families;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2023, as a “DAY OF AWARENESS FOR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.