Catawba

The Catawba (people of the river) are a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans, known as the Catawba Indian Nation.

The Catawba (people of the river)  are a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans, known as the Catawba Indian Nation. They live in the Southeast United States, along the border of North Carolina near the city of Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Although recognized by South Carolina, the Catawba did not receive federal recognition until 1941. In 1959 they petitioned Congress to terminate their tribal status, and tribal landholdings were distributed among the membership during 1962. The final tribal role call of that year gave a population of a little over 600. After termination, many Catawba emigrated to the Choctaw in southeast Oklahoma. After a change of heart in 1973, the Catawba tribal council was reorganized and recognized by the state of South Carolina. 

During 1994, the Catawba regained federal recognition after a lengthy court battle.

View H.R.2399 - Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.

Uncommon Folk
Episode 4

Video

Margaret Robbins is a traditional artist who comes from the Catawba pottery tradition, but puts her own unique spin on the work she creates.
Catawba Pottery Tradition | Palmetto Scene

Video

“Catawba Pottery is the oldest Native pottery tradition east of the Mississippi River that’s been produced continuously throughout time,” Catawba Potter Keith “Little Bear” Brown explains. Catawba...
Carolina Indians | Palmetto Special

Video

The lesson consists of the host and three students visiting Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Pickens County. The story of the Cherokee is told there through drawings and artifacts in a series of display...
General Thomas Sumter | Brattonsville
General Thomas Sumter | Brattonsville
Episode 2

Photo

General Thomas Sumter was an American Revolutionary War militia leader and later a U.S. Congressman. After the crushing defeat at Waxhaws, General Sumter gathered militia troops in South Carolina...
Catawba Then & Now | Periscope
Catawba Then & Now | Periscope
Episode 3

Photo

The Catawba still use the river their ancestors used for hunting, fishing, and clay. Riverbottom clay is used to make traditional Catawba pottery. Pottery is an important tradition that has been...