HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2016-012 Resolution Recognizing the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day RES-2016-012
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE SECOND MONDAY OF OCTOBER AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY
WHEREAS, the people of Orange County of the State of North Carolina, inclusive of the incorporated and
unincorporated areas, recognize that nations of Indigenous Peoples have lived upon this land now known as
the Americas since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, Orange County acknowledges that the annexation of the homelands of Indigenous Peoples
occurred over the centuries for the establishment and development of Orange County; and
WHEREAS, Orange County values the contributions made to the progress of society accomplished through
the knowledge, labor, technology, philosophy, arts and culture of Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS, Orange County recognizes its responsibility to promote the human and civil rights of all people
inclusive of Indigenous People of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the people of Orange County understand that, to help close the equity gap, governments,
agencies and institutions must change policies and practices to reflect the experiences of the Indigenous
Peoples of this land, and uplift the Indigenous Peoples of this nation; and
WHEREAS, the idea of Indigenous Peoples' Day was proposed first in 1977 by a delegation of Indigenous
Nations who came before the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in
the Americas, sponsored by the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2002, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, located in Orange, Caswell
and Alamance Counties, became the eighth state-recognized Indian tribe in North Carolina, and is one of 567
Indigenous Nations in the United States; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners
henceforth shall recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day to celebrate and honor
the history, legacy, heritage and activism of Indigenous Peoples that have existed here since pre-European
colonialism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Orange County, in concert with the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough, encourages elected bodies, educational institutions, businesses and organizations throughout
the United States likewise to adopt and recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Orange County, inclusive of the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough, joins the Tribal Council of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation in declaring that
Indigenous Peoples' Day shall be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of Indigenous
Peoples; and
BE IT MOREOVER RESOLVED, that Indigenous Peoples' Day shall be used to reflect upon the struggles
of all Indigenous People in this land including, those whose ancestors lived in the area now known as Orange
County, and to reaffirm a commitment toward reconciliation among all Peoples, and thereby to promote the
progress and advancement of civilization.
Approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
16th Day of February 2016. i/�( �1�'�r , Chair
ATTEST: Clerk
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