The Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories (TIOKT) serves as a unified tribal government, marking a vital milestone in our people’s enduring journey. For generations, the Tuscarora have upheld our ways of life, spiritual practices, and governance through several fractioned autonomous communities and traditional centers such as longhouses. Together, we have restored unity, representing over 2,000 Tuscarora people in our communities. Today, we take a historic step forward in reinforcing our sovereignty, preserving our cultural identity, and laying the foundation for state recognition.

Our government was carefully structured by members of several long standing Tuscarora communities, including those from four longhouses and numerous other community organizations, families, and individuals. Thus, we reflect the values, voices, and visions of the Tuscarora people as one voice and one mind–collectively stronger. This central body operates through a unified leadership model consisting of two governing councils—the Legislative Council and the Cultural & Historical Preservation Council. Together, these bodies are charged with administering tribal affairs, protecting our heritage, and advocating for the collective well-being of our citizens.

Grounded in our ancestral governance and equipped to address the challenges of the present day, this structure is a direct continuation of our people’s long-standing resistance to displacement and erasure. As outlined in our Nation’s Constitution, the Tuscarora endured centuries of violence, enslavement, and land dispossession in the Colonial Carolinas and Virginia. Through these hardships, we relied on our traditional forms of governance to maintain our identity, survival, and autonomy. Today, that legacy continues with renewed strength.

The TIOKT tribal government is committed to operating as a sovereign body representing all Tuscarora communities within our ancestral homeland — Kahtehnuʔkye — the place of the Cypress Tree. Our purpose is clear: to preserve the inherent sovereignty of our Nation, ensure fair representation of our territories, and protect the unalienable rights endowed to us by our Creator. These rights include justice, equality, cultural preservation, economic security, educational opportunity, environmental stewardship, and the sole authority to manage the assets and affairs of the Nation.

As we continue the work of government-to-government engagement with local, state, tribal, and federal entities, we remain firmly anchored in the vision of our ancestors and the needs of our people. With unity, purpose, and resilience, the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories will restore our recognition, strengthen our communities, and protect our rightful place in history and the future.