This story was originally published by NC Newsline.
Christine Zhu
NC Newsline
Gov. Josh Stein reasserted North Carolina’s dedication to Native Americans at a conference on Friday, March 6.
Stein addressed an audience of hundreds at the United Tribes of North Carolina’s Annual Unity Conference in Raleigh.
It’s the first time the event’s been held since the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina achieved full federal recognition in December 2025.
The Lumbee are the largest federally recognized tribe east of the Mississippi River, with more than 55,000 enrolled members, and the second North Carolina-based tribe with full federal recognition after the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“American Indians in North Carolina have helped shape our state and nation since before its founding,” Stein said. “As we reflect on America’s 250th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the 130,000 American Indians who call North Carolina home.”
Tribal leaders and members of all eight of North Carolina’s state-recognized tribes and four Urban American Indian Organizations were in attendance at the conference.
The communities include the Coharie Tribe, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Lumbee Tribe, Meherrin Indian Tribe, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony and Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, as well as the Guilford and Metrolina Native American Associations, Cumberland County Association for Indian People and the Triangle Native American Society.
North Carolina is also home to members of the Catawba Nation, a federally recognized tribe based around Rock Hill in neighboring South Carolina.
N.C. Dept. of Administration Secretary Gabriel Esparza said the state wouldn’t be what it is today without the endless contributions of American Indian people over the years.
“They are a critical part of our history, and vital to the economy, communities and fabric of North Carolina,” he said.