Celebrating Unity and Heritage: North Carolina honors American Indian communities  

• The 29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration will feature a virtual Education Day on November 22, showcasing storytelling, pottery, and other traditions

• An in-person celebration will follow on November 23 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, with live demonstrations and performances highlighting indigenous artistry and customs. Both events are free and open to the public

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

North Carolina is celebrating the rich culture and history of its American Indian communities this November during American Indian Heritage Month, as proclaimed by Governor Roy Cooper, reported ednc.org. The theme, “NC United Tribes – 50 Years of Tribal Unity,” commemorates five decades of collaboration and solidarity among the state’s indigenous populations.

North Carolina is home to the second-largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River and ranks seventh nationwide. With over 130,000 American Indian residents, the state serves as a vibrant hub for indigenous heritage.

Highlighting the milestone, Governor Cooper emphasized, “This month, we take time to honor the culture and history of our American Indian tribes who have been here for generations.”

The proclamation also celebrates the contributions of eight state-recognized tribes:

• Coharie Tribe

• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

• Haliwa-Saponi Tribe

• Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina

• Meherrin Indian Nation

• Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation

• Sappony

• Waccamaw-Siouan

Additionally, it acknowledges the efforts of four urban Indian organizations: the Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Triangle Native American Society, Guilford Native American Association, and the Metrolina Native American Association.

Since its establishment in 1971 by the N.C. General Assembly, the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs (NCCIA), in partnership with the N.C. Department of Administration (NCDOA), has worked to enhance the well-being of American Indian communities. Their initiatives span education, scholarships, healthcare, housing, and workforce development.

Pamela Brewington Cashwell, the first American Indian woman to lead a state cabinet agency as Secretary of the NCDOA, highlighted the enduring presence of these communities. “It is an honor each year to not only celebrate the traditions and culture of American Indians but also to share our history and heritage with fellow North Carolinians,” she stated.

This year’s celebration includes events coordinated by the NCCIA, the NC Museum of History, and the N.C. American Indian Heritage Commission.

For more details, visit the North Carolina Museum of History’s website.

***********************************************************

Readers

These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.

Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world.  We have taken a small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.

For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com