The North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission announced that the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program recently approved highway historical markers for nine American Indian sites in North Carolina. Seven state-recognized tribes of North Carolina, an American Indian school in Sampson County, and an Indian burial mound in Robeson County are all the subjects of new historical markers.
“This is an important achievement in elevating the conversation of American Indians in the state,” Kerry Bird, director of the N.C. American Indian Heritage Commission, said, “We have been overlooked for far too long. Now these markers are one way of documenting our presence here in North Carolina.”
Historical markers were approved for the Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan tribes. In addition, historical markers were approved for the site of the East Carolina Indian School and the Buie Mound site in Robeson County.
The markers will be ordered soon and will be installed in preapproved locations in the fall. Formal marker dedication programs, including recognition of tribal leadership, special guests, and local dignitaries, will be announced closer to the installation dates.
For more information about the highway marker program, please call (919) 814-6625. The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the N.C. departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.
Contributed.
