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3 <br /> Chair Price reiterated that the county held the Veteran's Day program. She said the <br /> medallions are ready to be placed in the surface of the memorial, but the granite is not yet <br /> ready. She said anyone may purchase pavers in honor or memory of someone and the paver <br /> will be placed right into the foundation. She said Sheriff Charles Blackwood was the guest <br /> speaker for the event, and it was a memorable time. She said the event was well-attended, <br /> which was uncertain due to COVID, but there ended up being more people than chairs in <br /> attendance. <br /> Chair Price said the Arts Commission sponsored an open-air painting event with an <br /> exhibit at the Arts Mill. She said the event was well attended. She said one could see where <br /> people originated next to the paintings, and there were people from all across the United <br /> States. <br /> Chair Price said she and the town mayors will meet with Quintana Stewart, Public Health <br /> Director for an update on the status of the pandemic. She said the Board has received a lot of <br /> questions about when the mask mandate will be lifted. She said the county is still looking at the <br /> number of cases per day for seven days, and will use that metric to make decisions. She noted <br /> that flu and cold season is beginning at this time as well. <br /> Chair Price said the county is doing away with library fines, which may make it easier for <br /> people to use the library. She asked if the County Manager would give a brief update on the <br /> 203 project during her report. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Native American Heritage Month Proclamation <br /> The Board considered approving a proclamation recognizing November 2021 Native <br /> American Heritage Month. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> For thousands of years, various nations of Indigenous Peoples with their own tribal <br /> governments, social organizations and cultural traditions inhabited the lands that are now <br /> known as the United States of America. North Carolina is home to eight state recognized tribes <br /> including the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, <br /> Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony and Waccamaw-Siouan. The Occaneechi <br /> Band of the Saponi Nation lived in this region now known as Orange County, with their own <br /> social, economic, and political systems. <br /> Native Americans and Alaska Native peoples have struggled and persevered to maintain their <br /> identity and their civilization despite centuries of inhumane and unjust Federal policies focused <br /> on genocide, removal, and forced assimilation. In recognition of this history, President Joseph <br /> R. Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum committing his administration to fulfilling Federal <br /> trust and treaty responsibilities, respecting Tribal self-governance, and consulting with Native <br /> American Nations on policy issues. <br /> On August 3, 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared November as National Native <br /> American Heritage Month. The month is a platform for Native Americans to share their culture, <br /> traditions, arts, and concepts of life, as well as a time for others to celebrate contributions by <br /> Native Americans and honor their influence on the advancement of the United States. The <br /> theme of November 2021 is "Strong Roots in Changing Times" to reflect the resilience of Native <br /> Americans throughout the pandemic and continued preservation of their culture and traditions. <br /> Chair Price said guests from the Occaneechi-Saponi Tribal Council were in attendance. <br />