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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
<br /> NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION
<br /> WHEREAS , for millennia , various nations of Indigenous Peoples with their own tribal
<br /> governments , social organizations and cultural traditions had inhabited the lands , now the United
<br /> States of America ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , North Carolina is home to eight State- recognized tribes including the Coharie ,
<br /> Eastern Band of Cherokee , Haliwa-Saponi , Lumbee , Meherrin , Occaneechi Band of the Saponi
<br /> Nation , Sappony and Waccamaw-Siouan ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation , having their own social , economic , and
<br /> political systems , made their home in this region now known as Orange County ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , in the 18th century , the United States of America was founded on a purported
<br /> concept that all people are created equal , yet Native Americans and Indigenous people have
<br /> struggled and persevered to maintain their identity and their civilization despite centuries of
<br /> inhumane and unjust Federal policies focused on genocide , removal , and compulsory
<br /> assimilation ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , Native Americans have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces —
<br /> including the Native American Code Talkers in World War I and World War II — defending the
<br /> United States and continue to serve at a higher rate than any other ethnic group in the Nation ;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS , the United States government has now apologized for the federal government' s role
<br /> in running boarding schools for Native American children , intending to force Native American
<br /> children to assimilate into Euro -American culture , while also breaking family and community
<br /> bonds and undermining tribal sovereignty within Indigenous societies , with former President
<br /> Biden calling the boarding schools a "sin on our soul " ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , on August 3 , 1990 , then - President George H . W. Bush declared November as
<br /> National American Indian Heritage Month with a landmark bill honoring the Tribal People of
<br /> America , which began in 1976 , when Jerry C . Elliott- High Eagle , a Cherokee/Osage Indian ,
<br /> authored Native American Awareness Week legislation ; and
<br /> WHEREAS , National Native American Heritage Month is a platform for Native Americans to
<br /> share their culture , traditions , arts , and concepts of life , as well as a time for others to celebrate
<br /> the numerous contributions of Native Americans and honor their influence on the advancement
<br /> of the United States ;
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE , we , the Orange County Board of Commissioners , do hereby proclaim
<br /> November 2025 as NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH , and urge all residents to observe
<br /> this month by participating in activities and ceremonies , to celebrate November 28 , 2025 as
<br /> Native American Heritage Day and to honor the cultures and contributions of Native Americans
<br /> by committing to freedom , peace , and justice for all .
<br /> This 18th day of November , 2025 .
<br /> 17 �2 ezett edford , Cb1bir
<br /> range County Board of Commissioners
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