Agenda - 02-19-2002 - 5b - Laserfiche WebLink

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' 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: Action Agenda Item No. 34, , SUBJECT: Resolution Congratulating and Celebrating the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation on Recognition by the State of North Carolina DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners & PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: John Link, ext 2300 Proposed Resolution BOCC Adopted Resolution — 12/04/95 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution congratulating and celebrating the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation on recognition by the State of North Carolina. BACKGROUND: In the late 1600s, members of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation moved south from Virginia into what is now known as Hillsborough. After some years, the tribe returned north. By the middle of the 18th century, however, some members had returned back to the Hillsborough area. Prompted in part by the archeological exploration of the Occaneechi's original village in Hillsborough, members of the tribe, in 1985, began researching and working on an application for recognition by the State of North Carolina. To obtain official recognition, the tribe had to compile historical data which included at least 200 years of family lineage, official records and documents, traditional Indian names, and links to other. tribes. The tribe formally submitted its application to the North Carolina Commission for Indian Affairs (NCIA) in 1990, but was denied based on failing to meet established criteria. Following additional research, the tribe twice again applied for recognition, but failed to receive approval. A lengthy court process ensued between the tribe and the NCIA, including a finding for the tribe by an administrative law judge, a reversal by a Superior Court judge, a successful appeal to the NC Court of Appeals, and a refusal by the state Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the Court of Appeals decision. The legal process ultimately returned the matter to Orange County Superior Court, and Superior Court Judge Wade Barber issued an order in early February, 2002 granting the Occaneechi official state recognition. Considered a formality, the last step necessary is for a local legislator to submit a bill during the next General Assembly session creating a seat on the Indian Commission for the Occaneechi tribe.