PRO-2024-026-Native American Heritage Month Proclamation

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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 ;