Historian

(Columbia-AP) Feb. 17, 2005 - Two American Indian groups in South Carolina officially received state recognition as tribes on Thursday.

The Waccamaw Indian People along the coast and the Pee Dee Nation of Upper South Carolina were granted recognition by the state Minority Affairs Commission. The commission was given the power to recognize Indian tribes and groups by the state Legislature last year.

Pee Dee Nation of Upper South Carolina chief Carolyn Chavis Bolton says she is very happy that South Carolina has finally recognized Indian people.

American Indian leaders have said state recognition would mean cultural items such as pottery could be branded with a tribe's name. State tribes also may be able to participate in federal programs.

The Catawba Indian Nation is the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina.

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"Be good, be kind, help each other. Respect the ground, respect the drum, respect each other."
--Abe Conklin, Ponca/Osage (1926-1995)