Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs
Applying for an Ethnic Commission Seat Website Link
GOCI’s Administrative Director
Keith Colston, Tuscarora (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 Begay (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, In-person from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. SPS Meeting Agenda
February 2, 2024, Special Call Meeting Agenda Video
February 5, 2024 Agenda Video
March 25, 2024 Special Call Meeting Agenda Video
April 1, 2024 Agenda Video
June 3, 2024 Agenda Video
August 5, 2024 Agenda Video
October 7, 2024 Agenda Video
December 2, 2024 Agenda Video
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 Website Link
February 2024 MSAC Updates Website Link
February 15, 2024 (Deadline) MSAC – Apply to be a Folklife Network Panelist Today Website 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 Website Link
November 1, 2024 – Annual American Indian Heritage Month Kickoff
November 29, 2024 – Native American Heritage Day
August 17, 2024 – Tradition Bearers of the Pocomoke Indian Nation – Flyer September 6, 2024 – A Summit of Maryland Indigenous People and Archaeologists – More Info
September 14, 2024 – 32nd Annual Native American Festival 10 AM – 6 PM, Vienna, MD Baseball Field Flyer
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 Website 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 Website 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 Website 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
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 – Website Link
Maryland Dept. of Planning Practice Monthly, June 2023 Edition – LINK
Maryland Dept. of Housing & Community Development announces Hires to Leadership Positions – Website Link
June 20, 2023 Deadline – Job Opportunity – Supervisory Public Health Advisor, Community Health Branch Chief, GS-0685-14 Website Link
June 18, 2023 (deadline) – MSA Indigenous Education in Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore Application FLYER
June 2023 – MSAC Resource Bulletin Website Link
April 17, 2023 MSAC – Maryland’s Poet Laureate – Nominate a Poet or Apply to the Selection Committee deadline May 12, 2023 Website Link
April 3, 2023 – Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) Competitive Grants Website Link
April 2023 – MARYLANDVOAD, Inc. Newsletter Website 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 Website 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.
March 9, 2023 Portraits of East Baltimore’s “Reservation” Exhibition Launch Website Link
Patapsco Valley State Park: February Events and Updates Website Link
MSA – 2023 Internship Positions – Indigenous Archive Project for the Eastern Shore of Maryland – Website 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 Website 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
