Honoring the Native American Affairs

                                                Advisory Committee during

                                            Native American Heritage Month

History:

In 2001, the Native American Affairs Ad Hoc Committee was created by Governor Jim Hodges and housed at the SC Commission for Minority Affairs. This Ad Hoc Committee was tasked with the goal of establishing an Indian Affairs Commission for the State of South Carolina through collaboration with the Commission and tribal communities. Through the hard work and dedication of the Ad Hoc Committee Members, the Commission’s statute was changed in 2003, adding the Native American Affairs Division under the duties of the Commission.

In 2005, the Committee began its work with the recognition of the State’s first State Recognized Tribes and Groups. As the Committee grew in size, so did the scope of their work and projects. Members of the Committee have been instrumental in the passage of several pieces of legislation, policy change, grant awards and critical projects at the Commission. Today, the Committee is focused on its commitment to develop better government-to-government relationships for tribal communities, improved socio-economic status and increased educational awareness. 

The Native American Advisory Committee has been committed to serving their communities and our state by strengthening the relationship between South Carolina's Native American Indian communities and government.  The Committee conveys concerns, issues, project ideas and policy recommendations to the SC Commission for Minority Affairs to assist in developing culturally appreciate solutions and research to influence public policy and legislation.

Ad Hoc Committee Members and Tribal Leaders meeting with Governor Jim Hodges, circa 2001. Photo curtesy: SC Governor’s Office.

Vision and Mission

The Committee works to assist the Native American Affairs Initiative to achieve our vision that:

All Native American citizens of South Carolina and their communities will be treated equitably and see economic prosperity through recognition, policy changes, collaboration, educational initiatives, and increased public awareness of the significant contributions that Native Americans have made to South Carolina’s rich cultural heritage; and 

To achieve our mission to:  

Establish the framework to ensure social equity and economic prosperity for all Native American Indian citizens throughout the state of South Carolina through policy change, education, and increased awareness. 

Structure: 

The Committee meets quarterly and works to establish goals, projects and policy regarding Native American Indians in South Carolina. The Committee has established standing working groups to address short and long-term goals and projects. Members of the Committee also serve on the State Recognition Committee to review State Recognition applications. Advisory Committee members serve an indefinite term as each State Recognized Tribe and Group has a permeant seat on the Committee. 

About the Members:

The Committee members are as follows:  

• Catawba Indian Nation  https://catawbaindian.net/ 
• Commission for Minority Affairs https://cma.sc.gov/ 
• Beaver Creek Indians http://www.beavercreekindians.org/index.html 
• Chaloklowa Chickasaw Indian People
• Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of SC https://www.nativesouthcarolina.org/communities/#Tribes-11 
• Edisto Natchez Kusso Tribe of South Carolina https://www.facebook.com/natchezkussotribe/ 
• Natchez Tribe of South Carolina https://www.nativesouthcarolina.org/communities/state-recognized-groups#Tribes-12 
• Native American Studies Program University of South Carolina-Lancaster https://sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/study/student_opportunities/native_american_studies_center/
• Office of the Governor https://governor.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx 
• Office of the State Archaeologist http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/sciaa/division-state-archaeologist 
• Pee Dee Indian Nation of Upper South Carolina https://www.nativesouthcarolina.org/communities/state-recognized-tribes#Tribes-4                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Pee Dee Indian Tribe of Beaver Creek https://www.nativesouthcarolina.org/communities/state-recognized-groups#Tribes-13 
• Pee Dee Indian Tribe http://www.peedeetribe.org/ 
• Piedmont American Indian Association –Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina https://www.paialecherokeenationsc.com/ 
• Santee Indian Organization https://www.facebook.com/JulietFelder/ 
• Sumter Tribe of Cheraw Indians http://www.thesumtertribeofcherawindians.org/ 
• The Waccamaw Indian People https://www.waccamaw.org/ 
• Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indian http://www.wassamasawtribe.com/    

2018 Focus Work 

• Education
• Inmate Recidivism
• Indian Child Welfare Act
• Policy and Legislation
• State Recognition
• Tribal Capacity Building
• Tribal Emergency Management
• Tribal Food Sovereignty 

2016-2018 Committees and Workgroups

• Health, Wellness and Housing
• Jobs, Education and Training 
• Indian Child Welfare Act
• RED-SC Inmate Recidivism
• State Recognition Committee

Meeting Schedule: 

Native American Advisory Committee

2018

March 2, 2018

June 1, 2018

September 7, 2018

December 7, 2018

2019

March 1, 2019

June 7, 2019

September 7, 2019

December 7, 2019

Workgroups and Committees

Workgroups meet monthly, but will not resume work until Spring 2019. 

Committees meet as needed.