American Indian Affairs - NC Tribes, DOA Programs & Services
Announcements
28th Annual NC American Indian Heritage Celebration
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NC Museum of History
5 East Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
2023 American Indian Heritage Month Poster

November is American Indian Heritage Month.
In honor of our nation’s first inhabitants, Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month, celebrating the history and heritage of North Carolina’s eight state recognized tribes and four urban Indian organizations.
The Commission
The NC Commission of Indian Affairs — established to utilize local, State, and federal resources to provide aid and protection for Indians as needs are demonstrated — meets quarterly. The commission is comprised of 28 members, including 21 representatives of the American Indian community.

NC American Indian Adult Tobacco Survey
This survey is conducted by the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, Southeastern Cancer Health Equity Partnership, and Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
We are gathering information about health and tobacco use. We want to acknowledge the importance of sacred tobacco as a gift from the Creator and its role within American Indian ceremonies and offerings. The answers will be used to understand and identify tobacco use behaviors and needs specific to your community. Click here to take the survey.
Participants who complete the survey will be eligible to receive a $25 gift card.
Programs & Services.
Indian Child Welfare
The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 ensures that, for federally recognized tribes, Indian children are placed with Indian families; tribes are given jurisdiction over adoptions and foster care cases, and there are active efforts when working with AI/AN families.
For state-recognized tribes, legislation (NCGS§143B-139.5A) was enacted to facilitate better outcomes for North Carolina’s Native children and has led to improved collaboration with the NCDHHS Division of Social Services and county departments of Social Services (DSS), including changes in state policy and training for DSS social workers.
Resources
Why 'American Indian?'
It is the policy of the NC Commission of Indian Affairs to use the term American Indian. American Indians are considered the indigenous people of this continent and have been referenced in many long-standing treaties of the U.S. Government. Many state and federal statutes and regulations which refer to the indigenous peoples of the United States as American Indians.
Therefore, the Commission has determined that for consistency it is in our best interest to use the term American Indians in our policies, reports, and legislation. This policy was established by the Commission many years ago to avoid any confusion about to whom we are referring when we refer to the indigenous people of the United States.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Call: 984-236-0160
Staff Listing
Mailing Address
North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs
1317 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1317
Physical Address
116 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603