Indigenous Voices Series

The Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program (CLAW) at the College of Charleston strives to highlight and uplift the often-overlooked narratives in the Atlantic World. In 2023 CLAW decided to pursue the programming theme of “Indigenous Voices” to underscore the rich history of Native Americans in SC and the Lowcountry.  Often marginalized in history and the contemporary world, Native Americans in South Carolina exist in vibrant cultures and enduring communities. With an eye toward decolonization of narratives and without a desire to be the voice of Indigenous communities, we reached out to the Tribal/Nation Chiefs for all Federally Recognized Tribes and Indian Groups in the state, inviting them to tell their own stories and to ensure that our programming was both respectful and accurate. We wanted to connect the faculty, staff, and students at the College of Charleston, as well as the Charleston community, to their Indigenous neighbors. We wanted to build community and make space for Indigenous voices to be heard.

The CLAW Program works collaboratively across all disciplines and schools at the College of Charleston but also enjoys extensive collaboration with institutes, museums, archives, historical sites, art galleries, and cultural centers throughout the Lowcountry. In planning this series, we wanted to engage all of our partners and were overwhelmed by the kindness and support of our greater CLAW/Charleston community.  Departments across campus embraced this theme for their own annual programming. Many of our collaborators were engaged in similar work, so we came together to promote this collective series. The result is a year of academic lectures on Indigenous history, panels on material culture and contemporary challenges to Indigenous communities, culture and music events, historic markers on campus and in the community, museum exhibits, and a collection of educational resources. Our events will be continually updated as more programs and partners organize lectures and events, so stay tuned. 

The CLAW Program acknowledges that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamasaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians). We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land.

On behalf of the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program, I thank you for your collaborative spirit, the intellectual curiosity behind supporting the programming, the desire to effect real and lasting positive change, but most of all the willingness to listen.

With a grateful heart,

Dr. Sandra Slater
Associate Professor of History
Director, Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program 

A Message from the President

The Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program (CLAW) at the College of Charleston does important work in celebrating and highlighting scholarship around our unique corner of the world.

Our region’s story is complex, to say the least, and I applaud CLAW for tackling, over the years, a wide range of subject matter, such as the Stono Rebellion in the Lowcountry, the Transatlantic diaspora, the life and times of Denmark Vesey and the Reconstruction era, just to name a few.

Director Sandy Slater has broadened the aperture to explore Indigenous perspectives of the Lowcountry, a most worthy and under-researched area of study.

The programming and events will not only tell the history of and give voice to a marginalized community, but also raise awareness for the Indigenous tribes’ present and future. This work helps the College of Charleston to fulfill its public mission and embody its core value of diversity, equity and inclusion so that all may feel welcomed and included in the life of our university.

Best,

Andrew Hsu, President
College of Charleston

Indigenous Voices Programming

We have several wonderful events on our calendar that are open to the public.

Calendar of Events

Important Resources

Map created by Taylor Evans with USDA NCRS. From South Carolina Commission of Minority Affairs. Originally obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://cma.sc.gov/minority-population-initiatives/native-american-affairs/south-carolinas-recognized-native-american-indian-entities
Click to expand. Map created by Taylor Evans with USDA NCRS. From the South Carolina Commission of Minority Affairs.

 

Federally Recognized Tribes

Indian Groups

  • Chaloklowa Chickasaw Indian People
  • Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and the United Tribes of South Carolina
  • Natchez Tribe of South Carolina
  • Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek
Local Indigenous Sites