South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

For Immediate Release
November 1, 2019
Contact: Shireese M. Bell at 803-563-0283 or sbell@cma.sc.gov

In observance of Native American Heritage Month, the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs is raising awareness about the culture, history and contributions of Native Americans throughout the month of November.

The SC Commission for Minority Affairs will encourage the public to learn about Native Americans in the state by sharing information on upcoming cultural events, facts about Native American history and spotlights on tribes in our state.

“We encourage all citizens to join us in experiencing the rich culture of Native Americans and reflecting on the ways they have made significant contributions to South Carolina and the United States,” said SC Commission for Minority Affairs Executive Director Dr. Delores Dacosta.

The Native American Affairs Division of the SC Commission for Minority Affairs serves as South Carolina’s official Native American Affairs agency working with Native American Indians to address issues of poverty and socio-economic deprivation through collaboration with government and private partners. Native American Heritage Month, which is celebrated across the United States, honors the contributions and heritage of the first Americans. According to the Native American Heritage Month web portal, www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov, the first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of New York. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month") have been issued each year since 1994.

Since 2003, the Commission has been committed to strengthening the relationships between South Carolina’s Native American Indian communities and government. There are currently one federally recognized tribe; nine state recognized tribes; four state recognized groups; and two state recognized special interest organizations.

There are large numbers of urban Indian and non-recognized Indian people in South Carolina as well. There are approximately 45,000+ Native American Indian and Alaska Native people living in South Carolina, according to American Community Survey 2013 2017.

For more information on Native American Heritage Month and a list of events, please visit www.cma.sc.gov.

View full press release PDF.

View SC Governor's proclamation, events calendar, and statistical profile PDF.