The Black River Tribe of Winyah-Dawhee

THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE BLACK RIVER 

 

Welcome to the official page of the Black River Tribe of Winyah-Dawhee, a small but proud Native American tribe descended from a small Indigenous remnant group just north of Greeleyville, South Carolina.  Our people are dedicated to the accurate portrayal and preservation of Native American history and culture within the Black River region for the benefit of our tribal members, relations, and the community at large. 

 

Historically centered in Sumter during the 19th century, our community was established by two brothers in Williamsburg County just before and after the Civil War.  Today, our district spans Sumter, Clarendon, Williamsburg, and Georgetown counties, with a continued presence in Greeleyville. We are acknowledged by the towns of Greeleyville and Kingstree, as well as by Williamsburg County, as we actively pursue wider state recognition. This site offers an introduction to our people, highlights our ongoing projects, and details any upcoming events. Thank you for visiting, we hope you find your time here both informative and enjoyable.

Our Mission 

The Mission of the Black River Tribe  is to preserve, document, and protect various historic sites associated with our unique heritage in our region of South Carolina, as well as to educate our members of their history and ancestral culture.  We are committed to revive our cultural practices lost as a result of colonization and seek to educate the general public as to the life ways of Native Americans in South Carolina, both before and after the period of colonization