Native American Heritage

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated from November 1 through November 30 each year.

November

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated from November 1 through November 30 each year. What began as a day of honoring the first Americans became a full month in 1990 when President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as "National American Indian Heritage Month. Other variations of the month-long celebration include "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month."

Within this Collection

<div>Catawba</div>
Catawba

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<div>Cherokees</div>
Cherokees

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<div>Chicora</div>
Chicora

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<div>Edisto Natchez-Kusso</div>
Edisto Natchez-Kusso

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<div>Pee Dee</div>
Pee Dee

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<div>Santee</div>
Santee

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<div>Sewees</div>
Sewees

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<div>Tuscarora/Iroquoian Tribe</div>
Tuscarora/Iroquoian Tribe

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<div>Varner Town</div>
Varner Town

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<div>Waccamaw</div>
Waccamaw

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Title:
Arts, Crafts and Food! Fry Bread | Periscope
Arts, Crafts and Food! Fry Bread | Periscope
Episode 9

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Arts, Crafts and Food! Have you ever tasted fry bread or made a dreamcatcher? Powwows are great places to experience Native American crafts, clothing and food. Fry bread can be found at most powwows...
The Grass Dance | Periscope
The Grass Dance | Periscope
Episode 8

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Grass Dance originated with northern tribes, and was eventually passed down to southern tribes. It gets its name from the tradition of tying sweetgrass to the belts of the dancers. Today, the...
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
Episode 7

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Jingle Dress Dance is a dance for girls and women. The regalia for the Jingle Dress dance features a skirt adorned with small bells. The bells jingle loudly to the beat of the dances. This dance...
Fancy Dances | Periscope
Fancy Dances | Periscope
Episode 6

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Fancy Dances are more lively, colorful, and exaggerated. These dances began in the 20th century as different tribes around the country started meeting through powwows. The dancers shared moves and...
Traditional Dances | Periscope
Traditional Dances | Periscope
Episode 5

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Traditional Dances have been passed down many generations. The dances often represent a hunter as he stalks his prey, or a warrior looking for his enemies. Many of these dances originated with Native...
Dance | Periscope
Dance | Periscope
Episode 4

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

One of the most important parts of a powwow is dancing. Dancers in fancy costumes perform steps to songs of the drum circle. Sometimes different tribes, or Indian Nations, dance together. This is...
The Drum Circle | Periscope
The Drum Circle | Periscope
Episode 3

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Drum Circle symbolizes the heart beat of the earth. Thunderous powwow drums, sometimes called community drums, are made of wood and have heads of elk, moose, buffalo, horse, or cow. Native...
Stone Tool Found at Allendale, SC Dig
Stone Tool Found at Allendale, SC Dig

Photo

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Pictured above is a stone tool found at the Allendale dig in South Carolina. It is believed the tool is 12,000 to 18,000 years old. It is believed that over 12,000 years ago, the first Native people...
Native American Place Names in South Carolina (Map)
Native American Place Names in South Carolina (Map)

Photo

Grades: 4 8

Here are some of the meanings of these names: * Enoree -- River of Muscadines * Santee -- Safety, Protection * Cheraw -- Fire * Chatooga -- Rocky Waters * Tamassee -- Place of the Sunlight of God *...
The Prehistory of S.C. | Conversations on S.C. History 2
The Prehistory of S.C. | Conversations on S.C. History
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 4 6 8

Noted South Carolina historian Dr. Walter Edgar discusses the key issues in SC History. The Prehistory of South Carolina is discussed in eight lessons: Native Americans in SC Animals in SC Language of...
Florence Wade Photos | Digital Traditions
Florence Wade Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Florence Wade learned to make pottery from her sisters and other family members, including accomplished Catawba potters Sara Harris Ayers and Edith Brown. The Harris family of Catawba potters belongs...
Evelyn George | Digital traditions
Evelyn George | Digital traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Evelyn George was designated a master potter of Catawba pottery by the Catawba Indian Nation. Born in 1914, Ms. George learned as a child from her great-grandmother. She was influenced by individuals...
Boyd S. and Boyd R. Hilton Photos | Digital Traditions
Boyd S. and Boyd R. Hilton Photos | Digital Traditions
Episode 3

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Boyd S. Hilton belonged to a family with deep roots in the Catawba Valley pottery tradition. John Wesley Hilton was the patriarch of a family tradition that spans several generations. Hilton’s father...
Puva | Will Moreau Goins | Digital Traditions
Puva | Will Moreau Goins | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Ancient Hopi lullaby. Arranged & performed by Will Goins. Music by Brian Mann. Sacred Prayers Sacred Songs. PRODUCED BY Will Moreau Goins. Mastered at Mann Recording Studios, Columbia, SC. Phoenix...
Amazing Grace | Will Moreau Goins | Digital Traditions
Amazing Grace | Will Moreau Goins | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Performed in Cherokee & Lakota by Will Goins. Music by Gary and Anne Wakenhunt. Sacred Prayers Sacred Songs. PRODUCED BY Will Moreau Goins. Mastered at Mann Recording Studios, Columbia, SC. Phoenix...
Nola Harris Campbell Photos | Digital Traditions
Nola Harris Campbell Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

By the age of 15, Nola Harris Campbell was well on her way to becoming a master potter. She learned how to make coil-formed pottery from another master potter, her sister-in-law Georgia Harris. Over...
Berkeley County - Varner Town Indian Community
Berkeley County - Varner Town Indian Community

Photo

Grades: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The South Carolina Board of Education established a state-funded Indian school for the Varner Town Indian Community in 1938. This one-room school was closed by the state in 1963, forcing integration...
York County - Catawba Indian School | Road Trip
York County - Catawba Indian School | Road Trip

Photo

Grades: 6 7 8

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...
Sara Ayers Photos | Digital Traditions
Sara Ayers Photos | Digital Traditions
Episode 7

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Sara Ayers was a highly accomplished Catawba potter who exemplified the major artistic tradition of South Carolina's earliest residents. Daughter of David A. Harris, chief of the Catawba Nation from...
Sara Ayers: Grandfather | Digital Traditions
Sara Ayers: Grandfather | Digital Traditions
Episode 4

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Ayers discusses the role of her grandfather in her pottery making. Sara Ayers was a highly accomplished Catawba potter who exemplified the major artistic tradition of South Carolina's earliest...
Sara Ayers: Firing | Digital Traditions
Sara Ayers: Firing | Digital Traditions
Episode 5

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

Ayers tells Cinda Baldwin about the firing process. Sara Ayers was a highly accomplished Catawba potter who exemplified the major artistic tradition of South Carolina's earliest residents. Daughter of...