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5 <br /> WHEREAS the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation dwelt in this region today known as <br /> Orange County; and <br /> WHEREAS, in the 181" century, the United States was founded on a concept that all people are <br /> created equal, yet American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have struggled and persevered to <br /> maintain their identity and their civilization despite centuries of inhumane and unjust Federal <br /> policies focused on genocide, removal, and compulsory assimilation; and <br /> WHEREAS American Indians have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces—including <br /> the Native American Code Talkers in World War I and World War 11—defending the United States <br /> and continue to serve at a higher rate than any other ethnic group in the Nation; and <br /> WHEREAS President Joseph R. Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum committing his <br /> Administration to fulfilling Federal trust and treaty responsibilities, respecting Tribal self- <br /> governance, and conducting regular consultations with Native American Nations on a range of <br /> policy issues; and <br /> WHEREAS Deb Haaland of the Pueblo of Laguna serves as United States Secretary of the <br /> Interior and is the first American Indian in United States history to serve in the Cabinet, having <br /> been appointed by President Biden; and <br /> WHEREAS, in 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared November as National Native <br /> American Heritage Month with a bill honoring the Tribal People of America, which began in 1976, <br /> when Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle, a Cherokee/Osage Indian, authored Native American <br /> Awareness Week legislation; and <br /> WHEREAS National Native American Heritage Month is a platform for American Indians to share <br /> their culture, traditions, arts, and concepts of life, as well as a time for all people to celebrate the <br /> myriad of contributions by Native Americans and honor their influence on the advancement of the <br /> United States; and <br /> WHEREAS the theme this year is "We will defend Tribal sovereignty, self-government, self- <br /> determination, and the homelands of Tribal Nations" to reflect the resilience of American Indians; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners, of Orange County, North Carolina <br /> hereby proclaims November 2022 as NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, and urges all <br /> residents to observe this month by participating in activities and ceremonies to celebrate <br /> November 25, 2022, as Native American Heritage Day to honor the cultures and contributions of <br /> Native Americans by committing to freedom, peace, and justice for all. <br /> This 1st day of November 2022. <br /> Renee Price, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to <br /> approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />