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Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-01

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill officially recognizes The Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories as a state-recognized Native American tribe and grants them representation on the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs and the American Indian Heritage Commission. The bill is based on the Tuscarora's historical treaties with North Carolina dating back to 1712-1717 and their continuous presence as a community in the state.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that the Tuscarora have a well-documented historical connection to North Carolina through formal treaties with the state government and were granted the Indian Woods Reservation in Bertie County in 1717, making them deserving of official recognition comparable to other state-recognized tribes.
• •They contend that recognizing the Tuscarora corrects a historical oversight from 1971 when the Commission of Indian Affairs was created without including them, despite their significant role in the state's early history.
• •Proponents believe representation on state commissions will give the Tuscarora a voice in policies and programs affecting Native American communities in North Carolina.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may raise concerns about the criteria and documentation used to verify that current members of The Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories are actual descendants of the historical Tuscarora Tribe, particularly given the passage of centuries since the original treaties.
• •Some might question whether adding another tribe to state commissions could dilute resources or representation for other recognized tribes.
• •Others may argue that state recognition should be based on consistent historical standards applied equally to all groups seeking recognition.