Federally Recognized Tribes in South Carolina
State Recognized Tribes in South Carolina
Catawba Indian Nation (aka Catawba Tribe of
South Carolina)
Beaver Creek Indians
Edisto Natchez Kusso Tribe of South Carolina (Also known
as Edisto Natchez-Kusso Indians [Four Holes Indian
Organization])
Pee Dee Indian Nation of Upper South Carolina
Pee Dee Indian Tribe (Formerly Pee Dee Indian Tribe of
South Carolina) (Formerly Pee Dee Indian Association)
Piedmont American Indian Association
The Santee Indian Organization (Formerly White Oak
Indian Community)
Sumter Tribe of Cheraw Indians
The Waccamaw Indian People
The Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indian
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The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs also has recognized "state-recognized groups" and "special interest organizations" but these are not the same as the state-recognized tribes. In 2018, governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster signed legislation that stops the state from recognizing any additional Native American "groups". As of 2023, South Carolina recognizes four "state-recognized groups" and one "special interest organization".
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- Chaloklowa Chickasaw Indian People
- Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois, and United
Tribes of South Carolina
- Natchez Tribe of South Carolina
- Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek
- Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative
Some info Updated 12 January 2023
There are certain Indian tribes or groups that are federally recognized and eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes. For more information on federally recognized tribes, click here. The list also includes Indian tribes or groups that are recognized by the states, when the state has established such authority. This acknowledges their status within the state but does not guarantee funding from the state or the federal government. State-recognized Indian tribes are not federally recognized; however, federally recognized tribes may also be state-recognized.
As Tribal elections and other changes in Tribal leadership occur at various times throughout the year, the information is the most currently available at the time of its update and approval. Because the BIA cannot track all Tribal leadership changes in real time, it does not guarantee the accuracy of Tribal contact information.