HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2024-026-Native American Heritage Month Proclamation ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NATIVE MEI IT NTH PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS , for millennia , various nations of Indigenous Peoples with their own tribal
governments , social organizations and cultural traditions had inhabited the lands , now the United
States of America ; and
WHEREAS , North Carolina is home to eight State - recognized 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 Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation , having their own social , economic , and
political systems , made their home in this region now known as Orange County ; and
WHEREAS , in the 18t" century , the United States of America was founded on a concept that all
people are created equal , yet Native Americans and Indigenous people have struggled and
persevered to maintain their identity and their civilization despite centuries of inhumane and
unjust Federal policies focused on genocide , removal , and compulsory assimilation ; and
WHEREAS , Native Americans have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces —
including the Native American Code Talkers in World War I and World War II — defending the
United States and continue to serve at a higher rate than any other ethnic group in the Nation ;
and
WHEREAS , President Joseph R . Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum committing his
Administration to fulfilling Federal trust and treaty responsibilities , respecting Tribal self-
governance , and conducting regular and robust consultations with Native American Nations on
a range of policy issues ; and
WHEREAS , President Biden recently apologized for the federal government ' s role in running
boarding schools for Native American children intending to force Native American children to
assimilate into Euro -American culture , while also breaking family and community bonds and
undermining tribal sovereignty within Indigenous societies calling the boarding schools a " sin on
our soul " ; and
WHEREAS , Deb Haaland of the Pueblo of Laguna now serves as United States Secretary of
the Interior , becoming the first Native American in United States history to serve in the Cabinet ;
and
WHEREAS , on August 3 , 1990 , then - President George H . W. Bush declared November as
National Native American Heritage Month with a landmark bill honoring the Tribal People of
America , which began in 1976 , when Jerry C . Elliott- High Eagle , a Cherokee/Osage Indian ,
authored Native American Awareness Week legislation ; and
WHEREAS , National Native American Heritage Month is a platform for Native Americans to
share their culture , traditions , arts , and concepts of life , as well as a time for others to celebrate
the myriad of contributions by Native Americans and honor their influence on the advancement
of the United States ;
NOW, THEREFORE , we , the Orange County Board of Commissioners , do hereby proclaim `
November 2024 as NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH , and urge all residents to observe
this month by participating in activities and ceremonies , to celebrate November 29 , 2024 as
Native American Heritage Day this month and every month , and to honor the cultures and
contributions of Native Americans by committing to freedom , peace , and justice for all .
This 19th day of November , 2024 .
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Ji(r6ezettdBedford , Oair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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