From the President’s Desk - July 2026

By Wanda Burns-Ramsey - President of Triangle Native American Society

Dear TNAS Members and Friends, 

I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer! It has been an incredibly busy and exciting  season for the Triangle Native American Society, and I am pleased to share several significant  milestones and upcoming events. 

Our Annual Community Picnic was a tremendous success, bringing together members, families,  and friends to celebrate our community and the exciting future ahead. 

One of the most significant accomplishments in TNAS history occurred on June 22, when our  membership gathered for a Special Meeting to vote on a proposed amendment to the Articles  of Incorporation. The amendment, which had previously been approved by the Board of  Directors on May 4, 2026, added the following purpose to our Articles: 

"To receive and administer lands for conservation purposes." 

I am proud to report that the amendment was approved unanimously by the membership. This  acCon positions TNAS to receive and steward conservation lands as part of our mission. The  Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws have now been updated to reflect this important change. Our anticipated closing date for the transfer of the 384-acre conserva;on property in northern  Durham County is September 26, 2026. 

This historic opportunity began in January 2025, when the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association  (ECWA) approached TNAS with the vision of donating conservation land into Native care for  Indigenous-led stewardship. 

Throughout this journey, TNAS has been blessed by extraordinary partnerships. We are deeply  grateful to United Therapeutics for its generous financial support and to the Varneys at Smith  Anderson for guiding TNAS through the legal complexes of this historic land transfer. Their  commitment and expertise have been instrumental in helping bring this vision to reality. This partnership represents more than the transfer of land—it represents a shared commitment  to conservation, education, cultural preservation, and Native-led stewardship for generaCons to  come. 

As we move toward our anticipated closing in September, stay tuned for a very special  celebration and recognition ceremony later this year. We look forward to honoring everyone  who has played a role in making this historic achievement possible. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Triangle Native American Society. Together, we are  building an organization that honors our ancestors, serves our community today, and leaves a  legacy of stewardship, culture, and opportunity for future generaCons. 

With gratitude,

Wanda Burns-Ramsey 

President 

Triangle Native American Society