Governor Stein Proclaims Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day 

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the perseverance and courage of Indigenous people, express gratitude for their contributions to our state and nation, and renew the State of North Carolina’s commitment to respect tribal sovereignty and self-determination; and

Whereas, Indigenous people, through tribal governments, have preserved their identity, culture, and heritage, which sustained them long before the arrival of European settlers and even establishment of the United States government; and

Whereas, Indigenous people have faced various forms of genocide, violence, and forced removal from their homelands and were compelled to assimilate to a different form of life where they were not able to speak their native languages or practice their religions or embrace their own cultures; and

Whereas, the United States endorsed the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on December 16, 2010, that proclaims Indigenous peoples’ rights to dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories, and aspirations, which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina joins a growing number of government entities across the nation in recognizing the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, urging all people to foster appreciation, reconciliation, understanding, and ongoing partnerships with the Indigenous people of this land; and

Whereas, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, North Carolina is home to more than 130,000 American Indians hailing from nine distinct state-recognized tribes – Catawba Nation, Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan – and four Urban Indian Associations, 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 General Assembly in 1971 established the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs to advocate for state, local, regional, and national resources to support initiatives for American Indians and in 2021 established the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission to preserve and promote American Indian history, arts, customs, and culture throughout the state;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2026, as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.