American Indians and
Tobacco
American Indian Heritage
Month
Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca
Indian, proposed the celebration of
an American Indian Day in the early
1900’s.

In 1915, the first call was issued for
a national celebration of American
Indian Day on the second Saturday
of each May.

The first American Indian Day in a state
was declared on the second Saturday in
May 1916 by the governor of New York.

Several states celebrated the fourth
Friday of September.

Some states celebrate Columbus Day as
Native American Day.

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush
designated November as “National
American Indian Heritage Month”.

Since 1994, similar proclamations have
been issued (also known as “Native
American Heritage Month” and “National
American Indian and Alaska Native
Heritage Month”).
American Indians in NC

Archaeological evidence
indicates that Indians were living
in the area now called North
Carolina at least 12,000 years
ago.

Indians in North Carolina
numbered in the tens of
thousands, including more than
30 tribes geographically
separated by three linguistic
families.
American Indians Today

North Carolina has the sixth
largest American Indian
population in the US; in 2008
there were an estimated
108,279 American
Indian/Alaskan Native residents.

Three-fourths of the American
Indian population in North
Carolina live in 12 counties, five
of which are clustered in the
southeastern part of the state.
Eight State-Recognized Tribes
in North Carolina Today

Coharie

Eastern Band of Cherokee

Haliwa-Saponi

Meherrin

Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation

Sappony

Waccamaw Siouan
North Carolina’s Tribal Communities
Traditional Tobacco

Many of the traditional plants used by
Indian tribes are not what we know as
tobacco today.

Nicotiana tabacum, the plant used in
commercial tobacco, is not traditional
tobacco.

Four sacred medicines: tobacco, sage,
cedar and sweet grass.
The cultural
role of
tobacco
•
Gift from the Creator:
sacred communication tool
•
Spiritual use: Praying tool –
to purify, protect, & heal
•
Medicinal use: prevention &
treatment - to heal
•
Ceremonies & dance:
depending on the tribe and
region. Ex: gift - to show
honor & respect
How is traditional tobacco used?

Sprinkled on the ground, buried,
wrapped in a cloth, or hung on a tree
during daily prayer

Burned in a dish or sea shell for
smudging

If there is no tobacco (or other plants),
then a prayer is done by mouth without
tobacco
Types of tobacco ~ medicines
Sweet Grass
White Sage
Cedar
Indian tobacco
Rabbit tobacco
Desert tobacco
Virginia tobacco
Willow bark
Mullein
Commercial Tobacco Use Among
American Indians in NC

Thirty-six percent (36%) of all American
Indian adults in North Carolina smoke

Compared to Whites (22%), African Americans
(22%), Hispanics (16%), and Asian Americans or
Pacific Islanders (15%)
Cigar and Cigarillo Use
Among American Indians

Seven percent (7%) of American Indians
in North Carolina smoke cigars,
cigarillos, or little cigars

Compared to African Americans (10%),
Whites (4%), and Asian Americans (3%)
Menthol Cigarette Use
Among American Indians

Among smokers aged 12 or older, 25%
of American Indian/Alaska Natives
smoked menthol cigarettes in the month
prior to being surveyed

Compared to (83%) African Americans,
(32%) Hispanics, (31%) Asian Americans,
and (24%) Whites
Chewing Tobacco and Snuff Use
Among American Indians

Six percent (6%) of American Indians in
North Carolina use chewing tobacco or
snuff every day

Compared to (3%) Whites, (1%) African
Americans, and (1%) Asian Americans
American Indian Pregnant
Women and Commercial
Tobacco Use

American Indian pregnant women in
North Carolina were more likely to have
smoked during pregnancy (24%)

Compared to (15%) White, (10%) African
American, and (2%) Asian American or
Pacific Islander, and (1%) Hispanic pregnant
women
American Indian
Youth and
Commercial
Tobacco Use

Fifty-six (56%) of
American Indian
youth in Bureau of
Indian Affairs high
schools smoke.
How does tobacco use affect the
health of our community?

American Indians have a high risk of
suffering from tobacco-related death
and disease.

Cancer is the leading cause of death
among American Indians in N.C.
How is tobacco
marketed and
targeted to
American Indians?
Tobacco companies
have been creative
in their efforts to
reach all members of
society via cultural
events.
Tobacco Marketing

“Indian” motifs used to market tobacco.


More products with “Indian” type names are
being marketed.


Natural American Spirit, Red Man
Cherokee Cigarettes, Lumbee Cigarettes,
Geronimo
Indian tribes operating smoke shops on
reservations
Tobacco Marketing Images
What can you do?

Take the pledge to be tobacco free
and urge your friends to do the
same.

Refer tobacco users to QuitlineNC

Join TRU to tell others about the
dangers of tobacco