The Tribal Alliance of South Carolina Nations was created by Native American tribes of South Carolina, meeting in the state capital on February 5, 2025. The historic treaty signing ceremony was coordinated by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (CMA).
The treaty signing participants included The Catawba Nation, the only Federally recognized tribe in the state, Beaver Creek Indians, Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe of South Carolina, Pee Dee Indian Tribe of South Carolina, Piedmont American Indian Association, Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina, Santee Indian Organization, Sumter Tribe of Cheraw Indians, Waccamaw Indian People, and the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians.
Governor Henry McMaster, speaking from the Capital steps said, “This is an important day in the history of our state. You were already here when Columbus discovered America. Making this happen is an essential part of our rich and varied South Carolina history as well as a significant step moving forward to the future.”
Following the signing ceremony and an opening performance by The Warpaint Singers, chiefs from each tribe read their cultural statements. Chief Brian Harris of The Catawba Nation said the treaty represents a crossroads of collective unity for 80,000 Native American residents of South Carolina.
“This is more than just a treaty. We are stronger as a collective unit than we ever can be apart. From this day forward, we are the caretakers of our sovereignty, our scared lands, our heritage and our cultures,” Harris said.
Council members from the Edisto-Natchez-Kusso Tribe of South Carolina (ENKTSC), Tribal attorney, Steve Bodner, and Chief John Glenn Creel attended the signing ceremonies and the reception following at The Governor’s Mansion. ENKTSC is located in Dorchester and Colleton Counties along the Edisto River.
Chief John Glenn Creel said, “ I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with our Federal Tribe (Catawba) and our other state tribes to improve our indigenous communities. A special thanks to Governor McMaster, our House and Senate Delegates, and our county officials for their on-going support of the Native American community in our great state of South Carolina.
