Native American Affairs Division

Photo Credit: Native American South Carolina Archives (NASCA)

Celebrate Native American Heritage Every Month

For Native Americans, October and November can be busy and emotionally taxing months as these are when Columbus / Indigenous Peoples Day and Halloween (where so many still decide to use Native American culture as a costume) are held. Native American Heritage Month begins the day after Halloween and is essentially wrapped up by Thanksgiving (another culturally complicated holiday). Additionally, all of this takes place against the backdrop of football season, which means Native American mascots and the ongoing tension related to them.

While, like all cultures, Native American history is filled with pain, frustration and mourning, it is also a time of celebration, reflection, and education. It is important to remember that issues facing contemporary American Indians do not disappear once November ends. As such, do not let November be the only time of year that our nation’s first inhabitants and stewards of this land are remembered. We must celebrate Native American cultures and heritages in November and every other month of the year!

Here are some resources we found to help you celebrate Native American heritage and resilience in November and every other month of the year:

You can find all of the websites and contact information for State Recognized entities here: https://cma.sc.gov/minority-population-initiatives/native-american-affairs/south-carolinas-recognized-native-american-indian-entities
Be sure to check the Native American Studies Center at the University of South Carolina, Lancaster: https://sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/study/student_opportunities/native_american_studies_center/index.php
The Commission for Minority Affairs also has various resources and upcoming events listed: https://cma.sc.gov/our-events
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian has information and virtual events: https://americanindian.si.edu/
The National Congress of American Indians: https://www.ncai.org/
The Native Learning Center offers free webinars and other learning opportunities: https://www.nativelearningcenter.com/

Census 2020 Native American Indian and Alaskan Native Outreach

The My Tribal Area data tool allows easy access to select demographic and economic statistics for each of the nation’s tribal areas. This data comes from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey, and include statistics on population, jobs, housing, economy, and education.

My Tribal Area provides comprehensive maps, data profiles and downloadable features for each tribal area.

Resources for Teachers and Educators

National Museum of the American Indian Book List

Curriculum and Teaching Aids

SCETV

Native American South Carolina Archive (NASCA)

NASCA Website

Molly of Denali

Indian Country Today Article

PBS Website

Program Manager

Joshua Shumak

803-832-8162

jshumak@cma.sc.gov

About the Native American Affairs Division

The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs was created in 1993 by the General Assembly to provide the citizens of the State with a single point of contact for information regarding the State’s minority population.

In 2001, the Native American Affairs Ad Hoc Committee was created and housed at the Commission with the goal of establishing an Indian Affairs Commission for the State of South Carolina through collaboration with the Commission. Through the hard work and dedication of the Ad Hoc Committee, the Commission’s statute was changed adding the Native American Affairs Initiative under the duties of the Commission. Since 2003, the Commission has been committed to strengthening the relationships between South Carolina’s Native American Indian communities and government.

The Commission carries out it’s duties under Chapter 31, Title 1 of the SC Code of Laws of 1976, Section 1-31-40(A)(6)(10) and Chapter 139, Article 1 of the Code of Regulations which include but are not limited to the following:

influencing public policy and state services;
maintaining an advisory committee;
development and implementation of statistical data;
addressing the needs of the population; and
state recognition of Native American entities.

CMA Program Services

Information and Referral
Research and Evaluation
Technical Assistance
Capacity Building
Cultural Diversity Training
Minority Population Specific Training
Organizational Development
Business Development
State Recognition for Native American Entities

Community Surveys

Indigenize SC Education Task Force Needs-Based Surveys

The Indigenze SC Education Task Force is conducting three needs-based surveys for South Carolina educators, non-indigenous students and Indigenous students. To complete the survey, visit Coastal Carolina University's Indigenize SC Education Task Force webpage. Contact Dr. Sara Rich at srich2@coastal.edu or indigenizesc@gmail.com for more information.

Pine Hill Health Network Community Economic and Health Needs Assessment

Pine Hill Health Network and Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative is conducting a community economic and health needs assessment through the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Report Card to identify the needs of your tribal community. A community economic and health assessment is a means of measuring the economic and health status of any given community. This assessment is funded by the Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative from an Urban Indian Health Institute grant to create a Native American Health Profile for South Carolina. CLICK TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PINE HILL NETWORK SURVEY │ CLICK TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY REPORT CARD SURVEY

South Carolina Native American Tribal Contacts

2022 Native American Heritage Month Proclamation

NAHM 2022 Proclamation