“We, the Waccamaw Indians of the land called Chicora, desiring to provide our people the freedom to worship in the way of our ancestors; To promote the achievement of self government for the Waccamaw Indian People; To preserve and to perpetuate the traditions of our ancestors; To regain, to retain, and to share the history of this people with our future members for at least seven generations yet unborn, do for the welfare and benefit of all peoples of this country, state, and tribe, hereby proclaim our sovereignty, and adopt the following Constitution.”- Preamble of the Constitution of the Waccamaw Indian People
Today’s Waccamaw Indian People define membership in the tribe through kinship ties to the founding families of the Dimery Settlement, and many members of the Waccamaw Indian People retain the surnames of those original Dimery Settlement families.
The Waccamaw Indian People are recognized by the state of South Carolina as an Indian tribe, pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 1-31-40(A)(10) and South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 139. However, the Waccamaw Indian People are among a large population of non-federally-recognized Native American tribes who do not have the rights of sovereignty that permit a tribe to negotiate on a government-to-government relationship with the United States. Federal recognition, among other benefits, allows tribes to enter into agreements regarding self-government, health care, gaming, and participation as a consulting party under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and to negotiate fore the repatriation of ancestors and their belongings under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The Waccamaw Indian People are currently working to secure federal recognition.
In 2004, the Waccamaw Indian People acquired 20 acres of land in the Dog Bluff area of Aynor, South Carolina, not far from the traditional Dimery Settlement. This land is now used for the Waccamaw Tribal Office, for the annual pauwau, and for other events and activities.
In 2005, the Waccamaw Indian People became one of two tribes recognized by the state of South Carolina as an Indian tribe. Today, South Carolina has one federally recognized tribe, the Catawba, and nine state recognized tribes, including the Waccamaw Indian People.
Tom Rice, U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, introduced H.R. 1942 to extend federal recognition to the Waccamaw Indian People. If passed, this would permit the Waccamaw Indian People to engage in a government to government relationship with the United States, request return of their ancestors and belongings from federally-funded museums under NAGPRA, and grant additional privileges held by federal recognized Native American tribes. Read more at FUTURE.
For more information on the Waccamaw Indian People, please listen to their stories on our page Waccamaw Voices, and visit https://www.waccamaw.org/
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“I knew as I grew up in South Carolina that I was an Indian. My Dad was an Indian; my Mom was an Indian. We knew, but nobody else did.” – Chief Harold “Buster” Hatcher -
“Knowing that you’re Indian, knowing that you have been told this all your life, but not having any information…when I learned more, it was like finding a home.” – Vice Chief Cheryl Cail -
“As far as my Native American heritage being raised white, or non-native, I’ve learned a lot about the negative impact on the Native American society which I never really realized before.” -Second Chief John D. Turner -
“I just want you to know that the good lord blessed me. I am very proud of my children and my family. It has been a joy to be on the council of the Waccamaw.” – Fire Keeper Marion Craddock -
“I am who I am, and no recognition can change that.” – Chairman of Buildings and Grounds Glenn Cook -
“There’s still a big stereotype, a lot of people think we’re still the savages we were made out to be years ago, and that’s definitely not the case.” – Former Chief of Council Ricky Hudnall -
– Council Member Alan Faver -
“Never wait to research your ancestry because learning my identity made me embrace the heritage that was already there.” – Marie Hatcher Hines -
“Native American culture to me is, is in the heart. It’s what you believe. You always take what you need from the land; you always put back twice as much.” – Randy Wood
Today’s Waccamaw Indian People define membership in the tribe through kinship ties to the founding families of the Dimery Settlement, and many members of the Waccamaw Indian People retain the surnames of those original Dimery Settlement families.
The Waccamaw Indian People are recognized by the state of South Carolina as an Indian tribe, pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 1-31-40(A)(10) and South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 139. However, the Waccamaw Indian People are among a large population of non-federally-recognized Native American tribes who do not have the rights of sovereignty that permit a tribe to negotiate on a government-to-government relationship with the United States. Federal recognition, among other benefits, allows tribes to enter into agreements regarding self-government, health care, gaming, and participation as a consulting party under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and to negotiate fore the repatriation of ancestors and their belongings under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The Waccamaw Indian People are currently working to secure federal recognition.
In 2004, the Waccamaw Indian People acquired 20 acres of land in the Dog Bluff area of Aynor, South Carolina, not far from the traditional Dimery Settlement. This land is now used for the Waccamaw Tribal Office, for the annual pauwau, and for other events and activities.
In 2005, the Waccamaw Indian People became one of two tribes recognized by the state of South Carolina as an Indian tribe. Today, South Carolina has one federally recognized tribe, the Catawba, and nine state recognized tribes, including the Waccamaw Indian People.
Tom Rice, U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, introduced H.R. 1942 to extend federal recognition to the Waccamaw Indian People. If passed, this would permit the Waccamaw Indian People to engage in a government to government relationship with the United States, request return of their ancestors and belongings from federally-funded museums under NAGPRA, and grant additional privileges held by federal recognized Native American tribes. Read more at FUTURE.
For more information on the Waccamaw Indian People, please listen to their stories on our page Waccamaw Voices, and visit https://www.waccamaw.org/
-
“I knew as I grew up in South Carolina that I was an Indian. My Dad was an Indian; my Mom was an Indian. We knew, but nobody else did.” – Chief Harold “Buster” Hatcher -
“Knowing that you’re Indian, knowing that you have been told this all your life, but not having any information…when I learned more, it was like finding a home.” – Vice Chief Cheryl Cail -
“As far as my Native American heritage being raised white, or non-native, I’ve learned a lot about the negative impact on the Native American society which I never really realized before.” -Second Chief John D. Turner -
“I just want you to know that the good lord blessed me. I am very proud of my children and my family. It has been a joy to be on the council of the Waccamaw.” – Fire Keeper Marion Craddock -
“I am who I am, and no recognition can change that.” – Chairman of Buildings and Grounds Glenn Cook -
“There’s still a big stereotype, a lot of people think we’re still the savages we were made out to be years ago, and that’s definitely not the case.” – Former Chief of Council Ricky Hudnall -
– Council Member Alan Faver -
“Never wait to research your ancestry because learning my identity made me embrace the heritage that was already there.” – Marie Hatcher Hines -
“Native American culture to me is, is in the heart. It’s what you believe. You always take what you need from the land; you always put back twice as much.” – Randy Wood