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Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs

Applying for an Ethnic Commission Seat  LINK

GOCI’s Administrative Director
Keith ColstonTuscarora (Enrolled member of Lumbee Tribe, North Carolina)

The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs:  Serves the interests Native American communities in Maryland by: 

  • Aiding in the process of obtaining State and/or Federal recognition.

Promotes awareness and better understanding of the historic and contemporary contributions of Native Americans to Maryland by:

  • Assisting in the protection of Native American burial sites and other culturally significant sites.
  • Organizing and maintaining a database of resources specific to Native American history and culture in Maryland.
  • Publishing information and giving presentations on the culture and accomplishments of Native American groups in Maryland.
  • Serving as a statewide clearinghouse of information for and about the Native American communities of Maryland.

Assists state, local, and private agencies provide resources to address the educational, social, and economic needs of Native American communities in Maryland by:

  • Identifying and providing recommendations on unmet social and economic needs.
  • Bringing awareness of and support for physical and mental health programs for Native Americans.
  • Encouraging and promoting economic development in Native American communities.

 

Commission Members
The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs is composed of nine members appointed by the governor of Maryland and confirmed by the Maryland State Senate. A majority of these nine members must be American Indian residents of Maryland, and at least three members must be from American Indian groups indigenous to Maryland. Each member of the commission is appointed based on a demonstrated knowledge of American Indian culture and history, and understanding of the needs and concerns of American Indian communities. Commissioners are appointed a term of three-years, and can serve up to six years consecutively. In the event a successor has not been appointed at the conclusion of a commissioner’s term, the commissioner may continue to serve on the commission until one is appointed.

Tribal Affiliation:

Chair:
Tiara Thomas (Piscataway Conoy Tribe, Charles County)

Vice Chair:
Tom Bradshaw (Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Dorchester County)

Members:
Anne Marie Auld (Navajo Nation, Howard, County)
Lawrence Dunmore, III
(Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Baltimore, County)
Norris Howard, Jr.
(Pocomoke Indian Nation, Somerset County)
Peter Landeros
(Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Howard County)
Ken Maynor
(Lumbee Indian Tribe, Anne Arundel County)
Tierra Robinson
(Piscataway Conoy Tribe – Choptico Band of Indians, Prince George’s County)
Clarence Tyler
(Accohannock Indian Tribe, Somerset County)

NEWS:

Governor Moore and Lt. Governor. Miller Host Historic State House Tribal Consultation Meeting  


ANNAPOLIS, MD — On Thursday, Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller hosted a
meeting with six Maryland tribes to discuss concerns within the tribal communities at the State House. The historic meeting marks the first time an administration has met simultaneously with the leaders of all of Maryland’s organized tribes. “The state of Maryland is grateful to our tribal communities and their vital contributions to our society,” said Gov. Moore. “We must continue to do work in partnership with Maryland’s tribes to ensure the well being of indigenous Marylanders. From land and cultural preservation to expanded educational opportunity, our administration is committed to doing the necessary work to create a more inclusive state that leaves no one behind.”  Full Article

2024 Public Meetings
Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (Held on Mondays via Zoom from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

January 27, 2024, Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. SPS Meeting   Agenda
February 2, 2024, Special Call Meeting   Agenda
February 5, 2024   Agenda
April 1, 2024
June 3, 2024
August 5, 2024
October 7, 2024
December 2, 2024

2024 Announcements and Opportunities

MARCO News – Winter 2024   PDF
March 18, 2024 Deadline – Maryland Historical Trust – Apply for NOW to the Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program!   PDF  Link
February 2024 MSAC Updates   Link
February 15, 2024 (Deadline) MSAC – Apply to be a Folklife Network Panelist Today   Link
January 30, 2024 – Chesapeake Conservation – More News You Can Use   PDF   Protecting Program Open Spaces Video   Program Open Spaces Video

2024 Events

April 27, 2024 – The Nanticokes and the Chicone Village Project   Link
November 1, 2024 – Annual American Indian Heritage Month Kickoff
November 29, 2023 – Native American Heritage Day                 

2023 Public Meetings
Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (Held on Mondays via Zoom from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

February 4, 2023 SPS Meeting  Agenda   Minutes   Video
February 6, 2023  Agenda   Minutes   Video
April 3, 2023  Agenda   Minutes   Video
April 26, 2023 Special Call Meeting   Agenda
June 5, 2023  Agenda   Minutes   Video
August 7, 2023  Postponed – New date TBD
October 2, 2023 Postponed – New date TBD
December 4, 2023 New date TBD
December 18, 2023 Special Call Meeting   Agenda

2023 Events and Programs

Happy American Indian Heritage Month

November 2023 – Native American Life Lines- Holiday Sponsorship Program  LINK  FLYER
November 24, 2023 – Native American Heritage Day
November 1, 2023 – Annual American Indian Heritage Month Kickoff
October 13th – November 11th – 2023 Maryland STEM Festival   Presentation
September 21st – Maryland State Archives Criminal Research Dept. Archivist Trainee Recruitment   LINK
Sept. 16 & 17, 2023 – Nause Waiwash Band of Indians – 31st Annual Native American Festival   FLYER
July 28, 2023 Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces $7.1 Million to Support Homelessness Solutions Program  LINK
July 25, 2023 Governor Moore Announces $4 Million Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Retrofits Pilot Program  INFO
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail July 2023  LINK
Preservation Grant Fund for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program Due by 07/14/23-2:00 p.m.  INFO
Office of Indian Education – STEP, NATRI & NALRC Approaching Deadlines –  FLYER
Maryland State Arts Council July 2023 Updates – LINK
Maryland Dept. of Planning Practice Monthly, June 2023 Edition – LINK
Maryland Dept. of Housing & Community Development announces Hires to Leadership Positions – LINK
June 20, 2023 Deadline – Job Opportunity – Supervisory Public Health Advisor, Community Health Branch Chief, GS-0685-14  LINK
June 18, 2023 (deadline) – MSA Indigenous Education in Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore Application  FLYER
June 2023 – MSAC Resource Bulletin  LINK
April 17, 2023 MSAC – Maryland’s Poet Laureate – Nominate a Poet or Apply to the Selection Committee deadline May 12, 2023   LINK
April 3, 2023 – Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) Competitive Grants   LINK
April 2023 – MARYLANDVOAD, Inc. Newsletter   LINK
March 31, 2023 – PG County Summer Youth Enrichment Program accepting applications  FLYER
March 20, 2023 – MDDNR-State Forest Work Plans & Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants for 2023  LINK  LINK
March 26, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. – 6th Annual Tricky Tray – Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Inc.   FLYER
March 3, 2023 – Maryland State Archives – Webmaster Trainee Job Announcement   FLYER
March 2023 – Maryland State Archives – Oral Historian Researcher-apply by 04/05/2023 11:59 P.M. – LINK
March 9, 2023 Portraits of East Baltimore’s “Reservation” Exhibition Launch  LINK
Patapsco Valley State Park: February Events and Updates  LINK
MSA – 2023 Internship Positions – Indigenous Archive Project for the Eastern Shore of Maryland – LINK
MSAC Art Opportunities – January 2023 FLYER
MSAC – Apply to Maryland’s Public Artist Roster by May 31  FLYER
MDOT – Apply for HR Assistant (Administrative Officer II) by June 7, 2023   LINK

Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs Annual Reports
2015 Annual Report Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs
2016 Annual Report Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs
2017 Annual Report Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs
2018 Annual Report Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs
2020 Annual Report Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs

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