October 12, 2020/Media, Press

NCDP Statement Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day

RALEIGH – North Carolina is home to more than 122,000 American Indians, and has eight historic tribes: Eastern Band of Cherokee, Coharie, Lumbee, Haliwa-Saponi, Sappony, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation and Waccamaw-Siouan.

NCDP Chairman Wayne Goodwin and Native American Caucus President Crystal Cavalier have released the following statement on Indigenous Peoples’ Day:

“Today we honor and celebrate the shared history and culture of Native Americans. It’s crucial that today, and every day, we recognize the profound impact Indigenous Peoples have had in shaping America and its values. But while we pay tribute, we must also reflect on the centuries of cruelty, violence, and suffering the community has experienced, often at the hands of our nation’s own government. We must never forget these dark chapters in our history, and we must continue our fight to build a happier, healthier, more prosperous state for all North Carolinians.”