WHAT WE DO
COMMUNITY
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PEE DEE INDIAN TRIBE OF S.C.
WHO WE ARE
We are Siouan Indians of the coastal region of S.C. and are acknowledge by the Great Sioux Nation as being one of the tribes left behind during the movement westward. We are very proud people of who we are and consider it an honor to carry on the traditional traits of helping each other and our surrounding communities. We also take great pride in taking care of our native lands.
Our History
At our largest, the Chicora once stretched from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina to just south of the Winyah Bay of Georgetown County, South Carolina, and as far west as the Piedmont Region.
Our ancestors lived off the land, growing corn, tobacco, gourds, squash, and beans in their gardens and domesticating animals like deer and chickens. They fished the rivers and salt water marshes of the area, as well sea fishing. Because of their location, the Chicora may have been some of the first Native Americans to see the Spanish explorers arrive in the early 1520s.
According to writer and researcher Paul Quattlebaum, the Spaniards, led by Francisco Gordillo, a skipper for Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon most likely entered through the north channel of what is now the Winyah Bay in Georgetown, South Carolina. The name “Chicora” is said to have come from the natives themselves, though it has sometimes been seen as Shakori or Chiquola. Historians Oviedo and Peter Martyr used the word Chicora; Martyr also used Chicorana. The Frenchman, Laudonniere, who heard the names from the Indians at Port Royal in 1562, wrote it Chiquola.
Quattlebaum, in his book The Land Called Chicora, relates that the Indians who were on the beach when the first Spaniards arrived thought these newcomers to be "great sea monsters or gods" and ran to the woods. Two of them, overtaken by the Spaniards, were taken to the ships, dressed in Spanish clothing and given many presents. They were allowed to return to their people, thus presenting the Spaniards as friends. Many natives then approached the Spaniards, who gave them gifts and began friendly exchanges. In confidence of this new relationship, the Chicora Chief sent fifty men to the ships to deliver gifts of skins, little pearls and a bit of silver. The chief provided guides to help the Spaniards cross the bay and explore the countryside, noticing its rich soil. On Sunday, June 31, 1521, Gordillo, with another captain, took possession of the land in the name of their king, cutting crosses in the trees.
The Chicora’s hospitality was rewarded with cruelty. With 140 Chicorans aboard, the Spaniards set out to sea with the first Chicoran slaves, destined for Hisponiola. Ayllon, who did not approve of the taking of slaves, declared them to be free and issued an order for them to be returned to their land. While awaiting the return to their homeland, Ayllon travelled to Spain with one of the Indians, whom he named Francisco Chicora. While there they met historians Oviedo and Peter Martyr, both of whom wrote about Francisco Chicora. Martyr wrote that these Indians had no written language, but that traditions and tales were passed down from father to son.
The French were also exploring the coast of South Carolina. Captain Jean Ribaut and his crew struck their sails, casting anchor at what is now Port Royal, which to the Spaniards was known as Snata Elena. While there, Ribaut found the natives to be hospitable and friendly, inviting him and his men to their homes and showering the Frenchmen with well-tanned skins, some pearls, and baskets made of palm leaves. Two young Indians, who were serving to guide Ribaut and one of his lieutenants, Rene de Laudonniere, offered to take the Frenchmen "to see the greatest Lord of this country whom they called Chiquola," who lived within the land toward the north.
The French-Spanish contention for the Santa Elena section of the land of the Chicoras resulted in many battles. In the midst of these battles and revolts, the native Chicorans were forced to take sides. In the process, many were massacred.
With the more permanent settlements came many diseases the natives had no immunity to withstand. Illness, along with the battles of the European settlers amongst themselves, led to the deaths of more than eighty percent of the accepted number of one million Southern Indians.
Modern History
Those who were not killed or forced to leave took themselves into the swamps and remained hidden, or at least silent, for several hundred years. In one of the last recorded Chicoran activities, Chief Eno Jemmy Warrior and many of his warriors met at Cherawtown with the Catawbas in 1743 during an attempt by the government to force all remaining Indians to move to the Catawba community. The Chicora Indians, like many other Native American tribes, have deep gaps in their recorded histories. These gaps make their history no less real and important.
The history of the Pee Dee Indian includes the forced assimilation of tribal members into white communities. According to author Linda Hogan, “Indians were a shadow people, living almost invisibly on the fringes. A peaceful tribe…”
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We are The Pee Dee Indian Tribe of South Carolina. We are a non-profit Native American Indian Tribe. Our headquarters have been in McColl, SC since 1976. We also have 3 acres of land on Longer Sand Lane in Bennettsville, SC. Since the donation of the 3 acres and a trailer and several buildings built, we have our meetings and functions on our land. This is the current headquarters.
We are working on the clearing of our new Tribal ground on Wallace Street in McColl, SC. A special thanks to Dr. Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Love..
As you have read in our Mission statement on our Home Page, we are striving to help our people. For many years we have pushed through boundaries that were not easily broken. With the support of All those past and present! We as a Tribe should be very proud. Even though we still have a great distance to go. Together and with the help of those who so generously have given support to us and our efforts we will continue to seek and fulfill our Mission Statement.
The Pee Dee Indians have left their mark through out history in many forms. Our people lived along a stretch of River also known as The Great Pee Dee River. Which got it's name from our people. In the past and present there have been archeological digs in which the earth has shown proof of our presence. The Pee Dee's have fought in every war and conflict from the Revolutionary War to Wars of Present. We have many Veterans and Active Duty members in the tribe. Many have served in the United States Armed Forces with honor and distinction, defending the security of our Nation with their lives. We have contributed immeasurably to our country and our heritage. Distinguishing ourselves as Scholars, Artists, Entrepreneurs, and leaders in all aspects of American society.
Even yet, our communities face unrelenting realities, including extremely high rates of poverty, unemployment, crime, and disease. We must acknowledge both our history and our current challenges if we are to ensure that all of our children have an equal opportunity to pursue the American Dream. It is our responsibility to see that our tribal community continues to grow. That our commitment will continue to improve opportunities, quality of life, and preserve the culture through education of our citizens.
At this time we are not receiving any type of federal or state assistance. Our only means of income as a Tribe is from the generosity of those that make donations. We are a non-profit organization. All monies received are used to help with the running of the tribe. Our tribe at this time does not have paying positions. Monies received go to paying tribal costs, ie. light bills, water bills, office supplies. We hope to be in the position to offer assistance to those members in need in the future. We also would like to say Thank You to those whom have devoted their time and resources to seeing the tribe move forward.