A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 53-3-270 so as to designate the second monday of october of each year as "indigenous peoples' day" in south carolina.

Whereas, Native Americans, who have inhabited this country since before their first contact with European settlers, shared their knowledge of the land and its resources, and have continued to play a vital role in the development of our local communities, the State of South Carolina, and the nation; and

Whereas, South Carolina is home to many Native Americans including the Catawba Indian Nation, recognized by the federal government; and

Whereas, South Carolina recognizes Native American Indian Tribes, Native American Indian Groups, and Native American Indian Special Interest Organizations pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 1-31-40(A)(10); and

Whereas, the recognized Native American Indian Tribes, Groups, and Special Interest Organizations include: Beaver Creek Indians, Edisto Natchez Kusso Tribe of South Carolina, Pee Dee Indian Nation of Upper South Carolina, Pee Dee Indian Tribe, Piedmont American Indian Association, Santee Indian Organization, Sumter Tribe of Cheraw Indians, Waccamaw Indian People, Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of South Carolina, Chaloklowa Chickasaw Indian People, Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina, Little Horse Creek American Indian Cultural Center, Natchez Tribe of South Carolina, Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek, and Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative; and

Whereas, the Native American Affairs Ad Hoc Committee was created and housed at the Commission for Minority Affairs in 2001 with the goal of establishing an Indian Affairs Commission for the State of South Carolina. Through the work of the ad hoc committee, the Native American Affairs Initiative was added to the duties of the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs; and

Whereas, "Indigenous Peoples' Day" was first proposed in 1977, by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

Whereas, this State encourages all people to acknowledge the historic sacrifices of indigenous peoples, and recognize their contributions to the emergence and development of our State, this nation, and the free world. Now therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Chapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 53-3-270.   The second Monday of October of each year is designated as "Indigenous Peoples' Day" in South Carolina.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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