Native Americans Of North Carolina

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American Indians had been living in North Carolina for at least 9,500 years before European explorers first encountered them in the 1520's. For the past several decades an increasing number of Americans have been identifying as American Indians. For centuries before European contact, these native people lived in harmony with the natural environment, taking no more from the land than they needed to survive. Of all the states in the Union, North Carolina has witnessed the largest increase in Native American population during the past 100 years, based upon official government census documents. The Indian population in North Carolina consists of one federally recognized Indian tribe (Cherokee), seven state-recognized tribes, and three state-recognized urban organizations. Through the years, Indian cultures changed rapidly, and some were all but wiped out. Coharie The Coharie people are descendents of the Neusiok Indians. Since the 1730s the tribe has lived along the Little Coharie River in Sampson and Harnett Counties. In the 1800s the Coharie established schools with their own teachers and funds. In 1943 Coharie tribe started a high school. The tribe's center of activity is the church. While the Coharie population has been increasing steadily, and sometimes rapidly, over the years, so has their participation in both local and statewide endeavors. Modern Coharie have adapted well to a culture that is centered on written documents, yet they continue to preserve their customs and traditions through the oral method of recall. Eastern Band of Cherokee In 1838, the United States government made the Cherokee people leave their homelands. The forced march of the Cherokee to Okalahoma became known as the Trail ... ... middle of paper ... ...andard of living that ranks among the highest of all Indians in the United States. Meherrin Written history of the Meherrin, which means " people of the muddy water" dates back to 1650. Tribal enemies and conflicts with colonists forced them from Virginia into Hertford County. Today, the tribe also lives in Bertie and Gates Counties. Meherrin tribal members have renewed interest in their traditional arts, crafts, and culture. The Meherrin tribe has less than 1000 members in its tribe. Waccamaw-Siouan The first written record of the Waccamaw Siouan people appeared in 1712. The tribe, then known as the Woccon, lived near Charleston, SC. After fighting a war with South Carolina, the Waccamaw Siouan retreated to the swampland of North Carolina. Today the tribe lives near Lake Waccamaw in Columbus and Bladen Counties. The tribe has about 2000 members.

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