Natchez Indian Tribe of South Carolina

The Natchez Indian Tribe of South Carolina or Eastern Band of Natchez[5][6] is a nonprofit organization and "state-recognized group" not to be confused with a state-recognized tribe.[3] The state of South Carolina gave them the state-recognized group and special interest organization designation under the SC Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100-111) in 2007.[5]

Natchez Indian Tribe of South Carolina
FormationDecember 19, 2000 (2000-12-19)[1]
FounderSamuel E. Davis[1][2]
Founded atColumbia, SC[1]
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersColumbia, SC[3]
Membership (2007)
120[4]
Official language
English
LeaderSteve Davis, Chief[3]

The Natchez Indian Tribe of South Carolina claims descent from the Pee Dee and a group of Natchez who sought refuge along the Edisto River in South Carolina after being driven from their homelands near present-day Louisiana during the eighteenth century.[4] The organization is recognized as the Eastern Band of Natchez by Natchez descendants within the Muscogee Nation who operate independently as the Natchez Nation.[5][7][8]

Headquarters and purpose

The organization is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina and maintains family ties in Orangeburg County with many members still living there and in other areas of the state.[4] Previously called the Natchez-Pee Dee Indian Tribe of Orangeburg County, the group was originally led by Samuel E. "Redhawk" Davis until he passed away in 2011.[5][9] Today, the group is led by Steve Davis.[3] Members of the group take part in educational and cultural demonstrations to educate the general public about Native American lifeways and preserve their ancestral culture.[10] The organization holds annual tribal gatherings in South Carolina and also attends an annual homecoming held each March in Natchez, Mississippi .[5]

Recognition status

South Carolina recognizes "Tribes", "Groups", and "Special Interest Organizations". "State Recognized Groups" are defined by South Carolina law as meaning "a number of individuals assembled together, which have different characteristics, interests and behaviors that do not denote a separate ethnic and cultural heritage today, as they once did. This group is composed of both Native American Indians and other ethnic races. They are not all related to one another by blood. A tribal council and governmental authority unique to Native American Indians govern them".[11] While still called the Natchez-Pee Dee Tribe, the organization filed for state recognition as a "Tribe" in 2005.[12] In the fall of that year, the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs review committee made the decision to withdraw the Natchez Tribe of South Carolina's petition and allow the organization to resubmit at a later date.[13] In 2006 the organization reapplied for state recognition as a "Group" and achieved this official designation on February 2, 2007.[5]

Other activities

Former Chief Samuel E. Davis established the Natchez Community Headstone Restoration Project (NCHRP) in 2005 to offer assistance to low-income families throughout South Carolina by helping restore, repair, or provide headstones for their recently deceased relatives.[5]

See also

References
  1. "NATCHEZ INDIAN TRIBE OF SOUTH CAROLINA". OpenCorporates. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  2. "ENTERTAINMENT". The Times and Democrat. April 26, 2001. p. 26.
  3. "South Carolina's Recognized Native American Indian Entities | Commission for Minority Affairs". cma.sc.gov. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  4. "South Carolina - Indians, Native Americans - Natchez". www.sciway.net. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  5. "The Great Spirit...NEVER FORGETS State recognizes Natchez Tribe of South Carolina, Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek". The Times and Democrat. March 12, 2007. p. 1C.
  6. Waldman, Carl (2006). Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes (3rd ed.). New York: Facts on File. p. 579. ISBN 0816062749.
  7. Waldman, Carl (2006). Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes (3rd ed.). New York: Facts on File. pp. 583, 586. ISBN 0816062749.
  8. "Location/Affiliations:". www.natcheznation.com. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  9. "Samuel E. Red Hawk Davis Obituary (2011)". Legacy.com. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  10. "Natchez-Pee Dee gathering Saturday at old Indian School in Pinehill". The Times and Democrat. April 5, 2001. p. 3A.
  11. "139102. Definitions." Chapter 139. Commission for Minority Affairs. Article I. State Recognition of Native American Indian Entities. (Statutory Authority: S. C. Code Section 13140(A)(10)). Page 2. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  12. "Four Indian groups plan to seek state recognition". The Greenville News. July 8, 2005. p. 6B.
  13. "Seeking state recognition". The Times and Democrat. October 10, 2005. p. 7A.
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