Indigenous Peoples' Day proclaimed in King

KING — Oct. 14, 2024 will be recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in King, thanks to a mayoral proclamation issued Monday.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that honors the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.

Initiated in the 1977, it is held on the second Monday in October and is often celebrated along with or in opposition to Columbus Day.

While not a federally recognized holiday, it has been nationally recognized by presidential proclamations and is recognized by various states and municipalities.

Mayor Rick McCraw presented the proclamation at the Oct. 7 meeting of the King City Council.

King City Powwow co-organizers Patrick Suarez and Mike Wyckoff attended the meeting with their daughters, the families dressed in traditional regalia.

Suarez provided some context for the holiday, noting that for some Native Americans it’s a day to reflect on their culture and how the culture still exists.

“We’re still here as people,” said Suarez, whose ancestry is Meherrin Indian, a state recognized tribe from northeastern North Carolina. Wyckoff and his daughter are Lenape tribe from Delaware, Suarez said.

“We wanted to give honor also to the native people that was actually Stokes County, which was the Catawba, the Cheraw and the Saura,” Suarez said.

The non-profit organization that puts on the annual King City Powwow is busy this time of year visiting schools and other groups to provide education about Native American culture.

Saurez’s daughters Diaya, Chelsea and Brielle, and Wyckoff’s daughter Ciani, took turns reading the proclamation during the meeting.

The document notes that North Carolina is home to more than 130,000 Native Americans whose ancestors shared knowledge of the land and resources and who have continued to play a vital role in the development of the city, state and nation.

“...the City of King enjoys a positive relationship with its American Indian citizens; recognizes and encourages the acknowledgment of the history, contributions, and sacrifices of Indigenous Peoples; and honors and respects the rich cultural and economic contributions that American Indians have made,” the document states.

Suarez presented Mayor McCraw with a gift of a wampum necklace made from clam shell.

“Wampum is really something that we hold dear to our people on the east coast,” Suarez said, explaining that wampum was the first form of currency and was used for treaty belts functioning as a contract with the government.

Suarez also extended appreciation for Jimmie Rosamond, a member of American Legion Post 290 who died in September.

Rosamond, who had Native American ancestry, was instrumental in bringing the powwow to King, Suarez said.