Bill would recognize Tuscarora and add them to two state commissions

The bill would designate and officially recognize The Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories. This applies to the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories, whose ancestors signed treaties with North Carolina and were granted the Indian Woods Reservation in Bertie County. The tribe would need to maintain enrollment rules that give all Tuscarora descendants in North Carolina an opportunity to enroll. The tribe would need to govern in a way that benefits and unifies the Tuscarora people under its governance. Recognition would begin on July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.

The bill would give the Tuscarora two representatives on the State Commission of Indian Affairs. The two representatives would represent The Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories. The commission's Indian community members are selected by tribal or community consent from groups recognized by North Carolina. The bill gives no separate start date for these seats; the rest of the act would take effect when it becomes law.

The bill would add a Tuscarora-recommended representative to the American Indian Heritage Commission. The representative would be recommended by The Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories. The representative's initial three-year term would end June 30, 2029.

The bill would set aside $5,000 for each of two commissions to update membership materials. The Department of Administration would receive $5,000 for the State Commission of Indian Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources would receive $5,000 for the American Indian Heritage Commission. The money would come from the General Fund and pay for updating websites, materials, and other documents to reflect commission membership. These are one-time funds and would take effect July 1, 2026.