Waccamaw Indian People: Past, Present, Future

The land on which Coastal Carolina University stands is part of the traditional territory of the Waccamaw Indian People. We honor them and express our gratitude to the ancestors who lived here in the past, the Waccamaw Indian People today, and to the generations to come.

This website is the digital home both the Ecological and Cultural Interpretive Trail at the Waccamaw Indian People Tribal Grounds and of Waccamaw Indian People: Past, Present, Future, an exhibit by students at Coastal Carolina University in partnership with the Waccamaw Indian People, Horry County Museum, and our many volunteers, interviewees, community members, and partners. We especially want to thank the Waccamaw Indian People for their kindness, wisdom, and generosity.

You can visit the Ecological and Cultural Interpretive Trail at the Waccamaw Indian People Tribal Grounds here virtually, or in person at:

Waccamaw Indian People Tribal Grounds
591 Bluewater Road
Aynor, SC 29511

You can visit the Waccamaw Indian People: Past, Present, Future exhibit virtually on this website, or in person at:

Horry County Museum
805 N Main Street
Conway, SC 29526

About the Exhibits

For generations, the Waccamaw Indian People of Horry County have lived on this land that we now call home. The modern-day tribe members trace their lineage through the many decedents of the Dimery settlement located near the Dog Bluff township, SC. No formal recognition was received by the tribe until their formation in 1992, and in 2005 they were the first native American tribe to be recognized by the state of South Carolina. Through this exhibit, we explore the traditions, culture, community and struggles faced by the members of this descendant community. Explore ‘PAST‘

With a historical legacy as grand as the Waccamaw, some may forget how diverse and modern their community actually is. Often overlooked by the general population is the fact that native American people are not just a “people of the past.” They are our friends, neighbors and community members. Native American people face threats to their own expression, religious freedom and personal identity. Through this section, we explore the lives and identities of these members of our community. Explore ‘PRESENT‘

The future of the tribe is one of great change and hope. The goal of recognition by the Federal government is something many peoples in native American tribes hope for. Native American people within the United States are often stripped of their rights to religious freedom because they may not be affiliated with a tribe recognized by the federal government. Recognition by the government would also give the Waccamaw Indian People the ability to engage in government to government communication with the United States. The chance for this sort of recognition for the tribe has never been higher as Tom Rice, Congressman of the 7th district, brought forward a proposal to extend federal recognition to the tribe. Through this section, we explore the things that our tribal elders hope for the future. Explore ‘FUTURE‘