Far-western North Carolina is a hot spot for Native American history, and officials across the region have usually worked well with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to preserve sensitive cultural and heritage sites. Unfortunately, that’s not the case everywhere.
7 Directions of Service, an indigenous-led organization dedicated to justice and the protection of native sovereignty, has condemned the summer actions of North Carolina lawmakers to advance harmful legislation that weakens protections for sacred tribal sites, according to a release. This development comes as a whistleblower has brought to light the destruction of culturally significant tribal sites across the state, underscoring systemic failures in safeguarding American Indian heritage.
During June’s Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Section 11 of HB 385, which faced widespread public backlash for undermining sacred site protections, replaced another attempt to gut safeguards for these invaluable cultural resources. The release says this decision flies in the face of overwhelming public outcry and pressure from state archaeologists, tribal leaders and American Indian community members to remove the harmful amendment altogether.
“The destruction of our sacred sites is not only an assault on our history and culture but a violation of our inherent
rights as stewards of this land,” said Dr. Crystal Cavalier Keck, a citizen of the Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation and representative of 7 Directions of Service. “The actions of lawmakers to persist with this past bill HB385’s dangerous provisions – despite the clear opposition of experts and tribal communities – are an affront to justice and democracy.”
The whistleblower’s alarming revelations of tribal site destruction further emphasize the need for stronger protections, not weaker ones. Tribal sites are not just historical artifacts; they are living connections to the traditions, identities and histories of native peoples. Allowing them to be desecrated erodes the cultural and spiritual fabric of American Indian communities.
Keck summed it up well.
“We call on state and federal leaders to implement policies that demonstrate respect for North Carolina’s indigenous heritage and the communities working tirelessly to preserve it. Protecting our heritage is a collective responsibility that should transcend politics and partisanship.”