During American Indian Heritage Month, the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI), the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, the Maryland Commission on African History and Culture, Maryland Department of Health, and the University of Maryland, College Park will partner to host the first-ever virtual kickoff on November 2nd to commemorate the month. The event will include a panel discussion on “Pathways to Partnerships,” the presentation of community awards, and cultural performances. Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month.

GOCI and the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs’ ongoing advocacy efforts also include distributing masks and other personal protective equipment to tribal community organizations during COVID-19 and supporting Census2020 outreach. To date, over 21,000 PPE items have been distributed to tribal communities through Governor’s Commissioners and tribal leaders.

The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs works to serve as a statewide clearinghouse for information; to identify unmet social and economic needs of the native community; to support government education programs for American Indian youth; to provide support in the process of obtaining recognition of state and federal Indian status; and to promote the awareness and understanding of historical and contemporary American Indian contributions in Maryland.