November is Native American Heritage Month -- Let's Celebrate!

Many have Native American ancestry and since this is Native American Heritage Month, let’s celebrate!

I was reminded of this when the State Library of North Carolina unveiled its new resource page Native American Heritage which states ...

November is Native American Heritage Month. The State Library would like to take this time to honor the first inhabitants of North Carolina. 

Native American heritage in North Carolina, as well as the country as a whole, has very deep roots. Before the first Europeans arrived, North Carolina was inhabited by three major Native American language groups: Iroquoian tribes in the north, the Siouan tribes in the piedmont, and the Algonquian tribes in the tidewater region.

Currently, North Carolina has the largest Native American population east of the Mississippi River.There are eight state recognized tribes in North Carolina: the Cherokee, Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Bands of the Saponi, Sappony and the Waccamaw Siouan Indian Tribes.

Today, the Native American influence can be found in some of the foods we eat, the arts, jewelry, clothing and the names of cities, towns and rivers in North Carolina. Please join the State Library as we celebrate the heritage of North Carolina's first inhabitants.

Besides the State Library of North Carolina, The North Carolina Museum of History is celebrating the 18^th Annual American Indian Heritage celebration and several of the local universities have and are offering special programs all month long.  Check to see if there are any programs being held in your area and any local resource collections to assist you as you celebrate and/or research Native American heritage.

Interested in celebrating?  Here are some more resources:

• Native American Heritage Month (LOC, NARA and other US Government agencies)
• National American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month History (Bureau of Indian Affairs)
• Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842 (Upfront with NGS)

Did you attend a celebration?  Tell us about it!  Know of a "must use" Native American family history research resource?  Let us know!

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