N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell today announced the appointment of Quinn Godwin as director of the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission (AIHC) following the retirement of the commission’s first director, Kerry Bird. Godwin was previously the commission’s associate director.
“Since its creation in 2021, the American Indian Heritage Commission has worked to bring visibility and recognition to North Carolina’s indigenous people and create a greater understanding and appreciation of their rich cultures and history,” said Secretary Cashwell. “Quinn has been an integral part of the AIHC since the beginning, and we look forward to his leadership in moving the important work of this commission forward.”
Established by the General Assembly, the commission’s mission is to “advise and assist the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of American Indian history, arts, customs, and culture.”
“I’m very proud to be leading North Carolina’s American Indian Heritage Commission,” said Godwin. “Our state is home to eight state-recognized tribes and four urban Indian organizations representing vibrant Native communities across North Carolina. I’m grateful to continue working in partnership with tribal leaders, our commissioners, and Native communities to promote education, cultural preservation, and a deeper public understanding of American Indian history and culture.”
Godwin was born and raised in Pembroke, N.C., and is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a J.D. from the UNC School of Law, where he served as president of the UNC Native American Law Students Association in his final year. In late 2017 and 2018, Godwin completed the UNC American Indian Center’s Native Leadership Institute as part of its third cohort. Before joining the AIHC he served as field coordinator for Gov. Roy Cooper’s Office of Public Engagement and Inclusion where, among other tasks, he served as an outreach liaison to diverse communities across the state.
Godwin’s appointment is effective immediately.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.