Welcome to the Maryland Commission on American Indian Affairs

 

As the official statewide agency for Native Americans, the Commission initiates and supports activities that affect Native Americans in Maryland and further the understanding of Native American history and culture.

By providing a forum for communication, the Commission encourages cooperation and the exchange of ideas among Native Americans in the state. The Commission also provides vital liaison between Maryland's Native Americans and the state and federal governments.

The Commission is directed by an Executive Director with offices in the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, Maryland.

 

Capacity Building Training - Highlights

On May 9th, the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs and the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives held a Capacity-Buidling training. This event included a multitude of important workshops.

CLICK HERE - to view highlights

 

Census 2010

Census 2010There is an important civic and constitutionally mandated event that will shape our future over the course of the next decade and we need your help. The 2010 Census is coming and we must ensure that every Marylander in every neighborhood, community, village, town, city and county in Maryland is counted on Census Day, April 1, 2010.

To achieve this goal, Governor O'Malley has approved an active outreach plan to be implemented under the leadership of the Maryland Department of Planning, our official State partner to the U.S. Census Bureau, along with the Office of the Secretary of State and the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives.

By answering the census, services and programs like job training, education, health care and transit improvements, will be there for our families and our communities for years to come. The importance of the Census cannot be overstated. An undercount of as little as a 1.7% or 100,000 of our state's 5.8 million residents translates to a loss of $1 billion dollars in federal revenue over the decade and considerably more in state funds distribution.

To make sure everyone is counted, we are working closely with the U.S. Census Bureau, State agencies, local governments, and non-governmental organizations including community and ethnic groups in order to form the partnerships that can reach out to the people of Maryland.

The success of the Census, it's in our hands Maryland!

For more information on the Census 2010 click on the above logo.

Click here for the Census Outreach Mapping Tool

 

Mission

SERVE THE INTERESTS OF COMMUNITIES OF NATIVE AMERICAN GROUPS IN MARYLAND BY:

  • Aiding in the process to obtain state and/or Federal recognition.

PROMOTE AWARENESS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO LIFE IN MARYLAND BY:

  • Assisting in the protection of Native American burial 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 for information.

ASSIST STATE, LOCAL AND PRIVATE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING THE EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC NEEDS OF NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN MARYLAND WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS:

  • Identifying unmet social and economic needs and recommending specific actions to meet those needs.
  • Identifying and supporting physical and mental health programs for Native Americans.
  • Making recommendations to encourage and promote economic development in Native American Communities.

Membership and Meetings

The Commission consists of nine members, a majority of whom must be Native American residents of Maryland. At least three members must be from indigenous Native American Maryland groups. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate for three year terms. Meetings are open to the public and are held the first Monday of the month in locations throughout the state.

Services

The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs maintains offices and a growing library of books, articles, oral history interviews, transcripts and video tapes at the offices in the MCIA.

The Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs provides the following programs and information upon request:

  • Classroom Materials
  • Speakers Bureau
  • Resource Directory
  • Traveling Exhibits
  • Oral History Collection

 

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