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AMERICAN
INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH |
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2008 |
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BY THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA |
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A
PROCLAMATION |
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WHEREAS, 99,551 American Indians live in North Carolina,
according to Census 2000, giving the state the largest American
Indian population east of the Mississippi and the eighth largest
American Indian population in the country; and |
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WHEREAS, North Carolina is home to eight American Indian
tribes: the Coharie, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the
Haliwa-Saponi, the Lumbee, the Meherrin, the Occaneechi Band of
Saponi, the Sappony, and the Waccamaw-Siouan; and |
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WHEREAS, these tribal governments and four urban American
Indian center organizations located in Charlotte, Fayetteville,
Greensboro, and Raleigh uniquely address the most critical
issues confronting North Carolina American Indian citizens, such
as school dropout rates higher than the general population,
elevated unemployment and poverty rates, lack of safe and
affordable housing, health disparities, increasing higher
education attainment levels, and business growth and development
in and near tribal communities; and |
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WHEREAS, American Indians in North Carolina have
historically engaged the state’s educational systems, driven by
their attempts to continually advance their tribal communities
and increase economic opportunities, promote self-sufficiency,
and maintain tribal sovereignty; and |
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WHEREAS, the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs,
in collaboration with United Tribes of North Carolina, Inc., in
highlighting the historic importance of education to American
Indian people in the state, have established the following theme
in their celebration of American Indian culture in 2008: “Olde
Indian Schools in North Carolina –Indian Education: Protecting
the Past, Guiding the Future;” |
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| NOW,
THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Governor of the State of North
Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 2008, as “AMERICAN INDIAN
HERITAGE MONTH” in North Carolina and urge our citizens to
recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions
made by the native inhabitants of North Carolina. |
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MICHAEL F. EASLEY
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| IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in
Raleigh this twenty-fourth day of October in the year of our
Lord two thousand and eight, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
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