As we enter November, CTSI acknowledges and celebrates Native American Heritage Month. This nationwide observance provides an important opportunity to recognize and honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Tribal Nations, as well as raise awareness about both the historical and current struggles of Indigenous people.
We encourage each of you to take time this month to engage in learning more about Indigenous peoples in what is now the United States and to celebrate our local Indigenous history. Recently, President Joe Biden apologized for the U.S. government's role in running abusive Native American boarding schools where at least 973 children died. Read the historic apology.
North Carolina is home to the largest Indigenous population east of the Mississippi River, with more than 130,000 Native American and Alaska Native residents, according to the 2020 US Census. There are eight state-recognized tribes in North Carolina: the Coharie, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Haliwa-Saponi, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the Meherrin, the Sappony, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation and the Waccamaw Siouan. View the North Carolina Tribal Map.
Native Americans are often underrepresented in clinical research, in part due to concerns about the trustworthiness of medical institutions, stemming from past research abuses. Engaging with Native American communities thoughtfully and respectfully is important as CTSI works to ensure that clinical research is representative of our communities and benefits everyone, particularly those who are disproportionately affected by poor health outcomes.
Here are additional resources and events to deepen our understanding and foster meaningful connections:
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Founded in 2023, the Duke Native American Studies Initiative (NASI) supports and promotes the Native American scholarly community across Duke through national and international research, partnerships, and engagement.
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The 29th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 22-23 at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. This free event consists of a virtual education day on Friday, Nov. 22 and in-person festival on Saturday, Nov. 23. The celebration highlights traditional and contemporary artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of American Indian communities in North Carolina. The event theme is: "Visibility: Indigenous people are still here!"
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Learn more by visiting the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission’s website.