tuscarora indian reservation visit

Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina

Learn about Tuscarora Indians and their rich cultural heritage by respecting and learning from our elders through educational classes, Pow Wows, and open tours of the traditional Tuscarora Village Site. Among other structures, grounds also feature a gift shop, museum, and tribal library open for public visits.

  • Tours: Guided

288 Tuscarora Nation Road Maxton, NC 28364

(910) 844-3352 www.tuscaroranationnc.com [email protected]

Local Information

Lumberton visitors bureau.

Ends: 6/15/2024

2024 Outdoor NC Pledge Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes.

(910) 844-3352 - www.tuscaroranationnc.com

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Skaroreh Katenuaka Tuscarora Nation of Indians

Official government website of the tuscarora nation of indians.

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Nyá•wę čwé•ʔn ahskę•nę hęh

The people of the sunken cypress welcomes you to skhawáʔkye.

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STAND WITH SKAROREH KATENUAKA

Help us move forward by standing in solidarity as we achieve justice.

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VISIT OUR VILLAGE & LONGHOUSE

Come visit us during special events at our village to learn more about us and our culture.

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LAND RECLAMATION

"Let it be known that we ękwehę̀·we of Skaroreh Katenuaka have since returned to our treaty lands"

Your government hasn't honored our treaties, but you can.

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Tuscarora Nation

In the tapestry of American history, woven with the vibrant threads of diverse cultures, the Tuscarora tribe emerges as a compelling and enigmatic strand. Nestled in the narrative of North America, long before skyscrapers and smartphones, the Tuscarora people carved a life in the lush landscapes of the East Coast. Their story, rich in tradition and resilience, is a poignant testament to the enduring spirit of indigenous cultures.

Imagine walking through dense, unspoiled forests of what is now North Carolina, centuries ago. The air is alive with the rustle of wildlife, the whisper of leaves, and the distant rhythm of a tribal drum. This is the world of the Tuscarora, a world where every tree, river, and stone is steeped in stories passed down through generations. But as with any great tale, there’s a twist. The arrival of European settlers set the stage for a dramatic shift, challenging the Tuscarora people’s very way of life.

In this exploration, we’re not just tracing the footsteps of a tribe; we’re uncovering the soul of a culture. From the ferocity of the Tuscarora War to the resilience in the face of forced migration, their history is a kaleidoscope of courage, tragedy, and unwavering hope. We’ll delve into their vibrant traditions, from the haunting beauty of their language to their rich spiritual beliefs, and see how these traditions endure in today’s fast-paced world.

So, let’s embark on this journey together, through the shadows and the light of the Tuscarora tribe’s history. It’s a path lined with the echoes of ancient drums and the whispers of ancestral spirits, leading us to a deeper understanding of a people whose legacy is as enduring as the land itself.

Early History

In the dense tapestry of time, the Tuscarora’s thread weaves its way back to a period shrouded in the mists of the unknown. Their origins, like whispers from a forgotten dream, are etched into the landscape of the American Southeast. This was a time when the land was a living, breathing entity, untouched by the ambition of modernity, where the Tuscarora lived not just on the land but with it, in a harmony that many today can only yearn for.

Picture a society where life ebbed and flowed with the rhythms of nature. Villages thrived, hidden like emeralds in the vast green of the forests. The Tuscarora were skilled farmers, fishermen, and hunters, their lives deeply entwined with the seasons’ ceaseless dance. Corn, beans, and squash – the ‘Three Sisters’ – were more than just crops; they were the lifeblood of the tribe, nourished by the fertile soil of their homeland.

But the Tuscarora’s world was more than a mere struggle for survival. It was a society rich in hierarchy and social structure, where clans formed the backbone of a community that valued cohesion, respect, and tradition. Imagine the gatherings, alive with stories that crackled like firewood, tales that wove the fabric of their collective memory, teaching and entertaining in equal measure.

In this realm of lush wilderness and vibrant community, the Tuscarora thrived, unaware of the winds of change that would soon sweep across their land. Their history, like the flight of an arrow, was poised to take a sharp turn, propelled by forces beyond the forest’s edge. But in this moment, before the world turned, the Tuscarora were masters of their fate, children of the earth, living a truth that many of us today strive to remember.

European Contact and Its Impact

As the Tuscarora navigated the currents of their daily lives, a shadow began to loom on the horizon – a harbinger of change, as inevitable as it was unforeseen. The arrival of European settlers in the early 17th century was like a pebble thrown into a still pond, the ripples destined to disrupt a millennium of tradition and tranquility.

Initially, these encounters were tinged with the novelty of the unknown. The Europeans, with their strange attire and unfamiliar customs, might have seemed like characters sprung from the depths of the most imaginative Tuscarora tales. There was trade, an exchange of goods that was as much about curiosity as it was about necessity. The Tuscarora offered furs and knowledge of the land, while the Europeans brought metal tools and other exotic items, seemingly conjured from a different world.

But as time wore on, the nature of these interactions transformed, like a sweet dream slowly turning sour. The settlers, hungry for land and resources, began to encroach upon Tuscarora territory. Tensions simmered, as the European concept of land ownership clashed with the Tuscarora’s deep-rooted connection to the earth. The settlers’ insatiable appetite for expansion, fueled by a belief in their divine right, led to a series of betrayals and broken promises.

The impact of this collision of worlds was profound. The Tuscarora, once the unchallenged stewards of their land, found themselves grappling with disease, displacement, and a rapidly changing landscape. Their traditional way of life, a tapestry carefully woven over centuries, began to unravel under the weight of foreign ideologies and desires.

In this crucible of change, the Tuscarora stood at a crossroads, facing choices that would redefine their identity and destiny. As their world transformed, so too did their spirit, adapting with a resilience and tenacity that would become the hallmark of their enduring legacy.

The Tuscarora War

In the early dawn of the 18th century, the simmering tension between the Tuscarora tribe and European settlers reached a boiling point, erupting into a conflict as fierce and unforgiving as a Carolina summer. The Tuscarora War, a saga of resistance and survival, began in 1711, a chapter written in the ink of struggle and the blood of defiance.

This was not a war born from the whims of a power-hungry few, but a desperate cry for survival from a people cornered in their own land. The Tuscarora, witnessing the erosion of their territory and way of life, were driven to a point of no return. The spark that ignited this powder keg of resentment was a series of escalating aggressions by the settlers, culminating in the enslavement and mistreatment of Tuscarora people.

Led by Chief Hancock, the Tuscarora warriors launched an initial assault on the settlement of New Bern, a strike that was both a statement of strength and a plea for recognition. The conflict that ensued was a turbulent dance of raids and reprisals, a test of wills between the old world and the new. The settlers, backed by the military might of the Carolinian and Virginian colonies, proved to be formidable opponents, armed with advanced weaponry and a relentless drive to expand.

Over the next four years, the war raged on, painting the Carolina landscape with scenes of bravery and tragedy. The Tuscarora, outnumbered and outgunned, fought with a fierce determination, driven by a deep connection to their land and heritage. But as the tides of war turned against them, they faced heartbreaking losses and the harsh reality of a world forever changed.

The conclusion of the Tuscarora War in 1715 was a defining moment, not just a ceasefire but a turning point in the tribe’s history. The treaty that followed forced many Tuscarora to leave their ancestral lands, setting them on a path toward a new destiny, in unfamiliar territories. This war, etched into the annals of history, stands as a testament to the Tuscarora’s resilience in the face of overwhelming odds, a resilience that would shape their identity for generations to come.

Migration and Alliance

In the aftermath of the Tuscarora War, the winds of change whispered across the scarred landscapes of the Carolina territories. For many Tuscarora, the treaty of 1715 was not just a symbol of lost battles, but a signpost pointing towards a new horizon. It marked the beginning of a great migration, a journey that would lead them to forge a new chapter in the lands of the North.

Like a caravan of shadows under the moonlit sky, the Tuscarora embarked on a trek that was as much a physical journey as it was a spiritual odyssey. Leaving behind the ashes of their ancestral homes, they ventured towards the Iroquois Confederacy in New York, a beacon of hope for a people in search of refuge and kinship. This journey was not just a relocation of place, but a transformation of identity, as the Tuscarora sought to weave their story into the rich tapestry of the Iroquois nations.

Upon their arrival, the Tuscarora found not just allies but kin, as they were welcomed into the Iroquois Confederacy as the sixth nation. This alliance, forged in the fires of shared struggles and mutual respect, offered the Tuscarora a chance to rebuild and renew their community. It was a merging of cultures and histories, a blending of old and new, as the Tuscarora integrated their traditions with those of the Iroquois.

In this new setting, the Tuscarora adapted, their culture evolving in the crucible of change. They embraced new customs and ideas while fiercely guarding the essence of their heritage. The language and stories of the Tuscarora, those ancient whispers of their identity, found new life among the Iroquois. This period of adaptation was not without its challenges, as the Tuscarora navigated the complexities of preserving their distinct identity within the larger confederacy.

This chapter in the Tuscarora’s history is a narrative of resilience and adaptability. It speaks to the tribe’s ability to face adversity, to transform it into an opportunity for growth and renewal. In the heartlands of New York, the Tuscarora continued to thrive, their spirit unbroken, their legacy enduring, a testament to the unyielding strength of a people bound by history, culture, and an indomitable will to survive.

Culture and Traditions

In the heart of the Tuscarora nation, the pulse of ancient traditions beats strong, a rhythm that resonates through the fabric of their everyday life. Despite the tides of time and turmoil, the Tuscarora have clung to their cultural heritage with a tenacity that defies the ages, a living, breathing mosaic of beliefs, practices, and arts that paint a vivid picture of their identity.

At the core of Tuscarora culture lies their language, a precious jewel in the crown of their heritage. More than mere words, it’s a vessel of wisdom, a bridge connecting the past with the present. The Tuscarora language, with its melodic tones and intricate structure, is a living testament to their history, a sacred thread weaving through generations.

Spirituality and religious practices are the heartbeat of Tuscarora life, deeply interwoven with their understanding of the world. Their beliefs, a tapestry of myths and legends, rituals and ceremonies, reflect a profound connection with nature and the spiritual realm. From the Longhouse religion to the vibrant customs surrounding birth, marriage, and death, each practice is a chapter in the ongoing story of their people.

The Tuscarora are also renowned for their traditional crafts and arts, expressions of creativity and skill passed down through the ages. Beadwork, basketry, and pottery are not just crafts but stories told in color and form, each piece a testament to the artist’s connection to their heritage. These crafts are more than mere objects; they are conversations with history, each stitch and pattern a word in the language of their ancestors.

Social customs and community life are the glue that binds the Tuscarora people together. Their society, structured around clans and matrilineal lines, is a network of relationships and responsibilities that define their way of life. Celebrations, gatherings, and council meetings are not just events but rituals that reinforce the bonds of community, ensuring the continuity of their culture and values.

In the world of the Tuscarora, tradition is not a relic of the past but a living, evolving essence that shapes their present and future. It’s a culture of resilience and adaptability, a dance of memory and innovation that keeps their heritage alive in a rapidly changing world. The Tuscarora’s commitment to preserving their culture and traditions is a journey of constant rediscovery, a path they walk with pride and purpose.

The Tuscarora Today

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, the Tuscarora stand as a testament to the enduring power of heritage and identity. Their journey through the corridors of time, fraught with challenges and changes, has led them to a present where the past and future converge. Today, the Tuscarora continue to navigate the complexities of modern life, their ancient roots deeply entwined with contemporary realities.

The Tuscarora people, scattered yet unified, reside primarily in New York, North Carolina, and parts of Canada. This geographical dispersion is a mosaic of their historical journey, each location a chapter in their collective narrative. Despite the physical distances, they remain connected by the invisible threads of shared history and culture, a community bound by the spirit of their ancestors.

Preservation of their culture and language is at the forefront of their efforts. In a world where indigenous languages teeter on the brink of extinction, the Tuscarora’s commitment to revitalizing their tongue is a battle against the tide of forgetfulness. Language programs, educational initiatives, and cultural events are the weapons in their arsenal, tools to ensure that the voice of their ancestors continues to echo through the ages.

The Tuscarora’s role in contemporary society is multifaceted. They are not just custodians of a rich heritage but active participants in the global dialogue on indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. Their contributions to these discussions are imbued with the wisdom of their heritage, offering unique perspectives shaped by centuries of experience and understanding.

Yet, the journey is not without its hurdles. Like many indigenous communities, the Tuscarora face modern challenges – socioeconomic issues, land rights disputes, and the struggle to maintain their identity in a world that often seems indifferent to their existence. These challenges are the mountains they must climb, the rivers they must cross, in their ongoing quest for recognition and respect.

In the story of the Tuscarora today, we see not just a people preserving their past but also shaping their future. Their resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration, a reminder of the richness of cultural diversity and the power of unwavering determination.

Challenges and Opportunities

In the grand tapestry of the Tuscarora’s history, the present day is threaded with a complex blend of challenges and opportunities, each a testament to the tribe’s enduring resilience and adaptability. As they stand at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, the Tuscarora navigate a path fraught with obstacles, yet illuminated by the light of potential and hope.

One of the most pressing challenges is the preservation of their cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world. As the relentless tides of change and assimilation lap at the shores of their community, the Tuscarora work tirelessly to keep their traditions, language, and customs alive. This struggle is not merely about remembering the past; it’s about ensuring that their unique heritage continues to enrich the future.

Economic and social issues also cast long shadows over their journey. The Tuscarora, like many indigenous communities, grapple with the realities of poverty, limited access to education, and health disparities. These challenges are steep hills to climb, requiring not just internal fortitude but also the support and understanding of the broader society.

Land rights and sovereignty remain pivotal issues, echoing the struggles of their ancestors. The fight for recognition and respect of their territorial claims is a battle waged in courtrooms and council chambers, a pursuit of justice entwined with their very identity.

Yet, within these challenges lie immense opportunities. The Tuscarora are not just passive recipients of history; they are active creators of their destiny. Efforts in education, cultural revival, and economic development are paths they carve, not just for themselves but for future generations. Initiatives to teach their language, celebrate their traditions, and promote self-sufficiency are seeds planted today, destined to bear fruit in the years to come.

The tribe’s engagement in contemporary issues, from environmental conservation to social justice, positions them as influential voices in the global conversation. Their perspective, shaped by centuries of wisdom and experience, offers invaluable insights into the stewardship of the earth and the nurturing of community.

In facing these challenges and seizing these opportunities, the Tuscarora continue to write their story, a narrative of perseverance, innovation, and hope. Their journey is a reminder that while the path may be rugged and the obstacles daunting, the spirit of a people cannot be easily dimmed.

As we draw the curtains on this journey through the history and culture of the Tuscarora tribe, we find ourselves standing at a vantage point, looking back at a landscape rich with the hues of struggle, resilience, and enduring spirit. The story of the Tuscarora is not just a chapter in the annals of history; it is a living, breathing saga that continues to unfold in the heartbeats of its people.

From the verdant forests of their ancestral lands to the rolling hills of their present-day homes, the Tuscarora have navigated a path through the wilderness of change and challenge. Their journey, marked by the pain of loss and the triumph of survival, is a testament to the unbreakable bond between a people and their heritage.

The Tuscarora’s legacy, woven into the fabric of American history, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving indigenous histories and cultures. It is a call to remember that the roots of a nation lie deep in the soil of diverse and rich traditions, each contributing its unique flavor to the story of humanity.

As we step forward into our own futures, the echoes of the Tuscarora’s drums, the whispers of their ancestors, and the resilience of their spirit accompany us. Their history is a mirror reflecting our own struggles and triumphs, a reminder that in the tapestry of life, every thread, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the beauty and richness of the whole.

In the end, the Tuscarora’s story is a beacon of hope, a demonstration of the power of unity, adaptability, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. As we close this chapter, let us carry forward the lessons learned, the inspiration gleaned, and the respect earned for a people whose history is a guiding light on our collective journey.

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It’s long past time for North Carolina to recognize the Tuscarora people

Donnie Rahnàwakew McDowell

Donnie Rahnàwakew McDowell

June 6, 2023 10:08 am.

a gathering of Tuscarora people

Photo: https://tuscaroranationnc.com/

North Carolina’s history is deeply intertwined with that of the Tuscarora people and it’s long past time for state leaders to acknowledge and memorialize this simple truth.

Since the early 1700’s the Tuscarora have been recognized by the state of North Carolina via treaty, state law, and other official documentation. As early as 1712, multiple treaties between the Upper Villages of the Tuscarora and the government of North Carolina were concluded, establishing a “nation to nation” relationship. This would later lead to the creation of the Tuscarora reservation, formerly known as Indian Woods, in eastern North Carolina.

The relationship between the State and the Tuscarora began to deteriorate rapidly, however, after illegal land sales forced the Tuscarora people from their reservation. Beginning in 1766, the Assembly passed laws identifying the Tuscarora Indians, and established a means to collectively remove their right from the land indefinitely. While the relationship between the Tuscarora and the State has been a messy one, it has persisted since the existence of the colony and continues its perplexing dynamic in the present. While the debate of existing treaties persists even today, the continued presence of the Tuscarora in the State cannot be questioned. State records in the North Carolina Archives include land deals, treaties, documents written by the General Assembly and historians, which all support Tuscarora ’s claim to territory in Robeson County following the end of the Civil War.

In 1748, the North Carolina Assembly enacted a law drawing out the bounds of the Tuscarora treaty lands that had previously been promised in the 1717 Tuscarora treaty. Before the NC Assembly enacted the illegal land leases that would lead to the closure of Indian Woods, continued encroachment by settlers forced many Tuscarora families into an early exodus to safer areas. These migrations happened over the course of about a century, with members establishing the Long Swamp Indian Burial Grounds along the Drowning Creek as early as 1750.

Confirmation of families leaving the Indian Woods reservation around the time of its closure appeared in 1840. One record mentions the migration of “free families” around the Neuse and Roanoke rivers settling in Robeson County. Disenfranchisement of the “free colored” had major implications on the identity and claims of the Tuscarora and other Indians in North Carolina because it prohibited many basic human rights. As the ability to self-identify was roadblocked by State law, the Confederate Home Guard conscripted, attacked, and murdered Tuscarora tribal citizens across Robeson County settlements.

The Lowry War, led by Tuscarora ancestor Henry Berry Lowry who attested to being Tuscarora himself, was fought to challenge attacks on Tuscarora families and end disenfranchisement across the region. Investigations into the Lowry War completed by the State resulted in the acknowledgement that Tuscarora Indians remained in North Carolina. Primarily, the testimony obtained from Flora College and Adjutant General John C. Gorman regarding the killings of Allen and William Lowry affirmed that many Tuscarora families who migrated from eastern Carolina found refuge in the swamps of Robeson County.

In the 1880’s, Representative Hamilton McMillan was tasked with finalizing the assimilation of the Tuscarora and other Indians that remained in the State. Although McMillan gained fame for the notable Croatan Act and the building of the Indian Normal School, he was unsuccessful in erasing the existence of the Tuscarora in the region. McMillan admitted in local newspapers such as the Lenoir Topic that Croatan was the name of a village, but that the People were Tuscarora .

Testimony by Special Indian Agent, Charles Pierce, confirms what McMillan was told by Tuscarora elders in 1885 when he was sent to investigate the educational needs of the Indians of Robeson County as part of a federal review. Pierce’s 1912 investigation determined that the goals of assimilating the Indians of Robeson County were being met by the State.

As part of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of the 1930s, an investigation was conducted on the claims of non-reservation Indians in Robeson County. While these investigations provided limited aid to Tuscarora members from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 1970s, clauses of the IRA enrollment and recognition stated that those limited rights did not extend to their descendants. One of the main reasons for these misunderstandings originated from the lack of transparency and integrity of State records which made clear the existence of Tuscarora treaties and trust lands. State laws disguising the Tuscarora in the previous century as “free colored”, “mulatto”, or “Croatan” allowed the State to take full advantage of the Tuscarora Nation during recognition efforts of the later 1900s.

Since the late 1970’s, leaders of the Tuscarora Nation have collectively organized and sought the reaffirmation of the rights and privileges of the Tuscarora People as an Indigenous Tribe of North Carolina. Local Tuscarora activism had been successful in obtaining some levels of equity during that same decade. For instance, on June 1st, 1978, the Director of the NC Commission of Indian Affairs, Bruce Jones, wrote a memo to the Federal Recognition Project on behalf of the Tuscarora and other tribes, confirming that the Tuscarora had maintained their relationship with the State since aboriginal times.

During a Congressional Hearing in April 1983, Jones declared that members of the Tuscarora Tribe were to have 6 of 13 seats on the NC Commission of Indian Affairs. However, the NC Indian Commission has continued to ignore this evidence as recently as the Tuscarora Recognition Petition hearing in 2019. Historian Dr. Peter Wood from Duke University has confirmed the claims of the Tuscarora Nation, documented multiple Tuscarora families migrating from eastern North Carolina, and provided testimony affirming these facts to the NC Indian Commission at the most recent hearing. Colonial treaties and previous state legislation affecting the Tuscarora are all forms of acknowledgment that prove the Tuscarora Nation has been recognized in the State of North Carolina for centuries.

In 2023, there is finally a chance to address the centuries-old injustice. House Bill 699 is a bipartisan bill, introduced in April, that would grant the long-sought recognition to the Tuscarora people. Unfortunately, thus far, the proposal remains mired in the House Rules Committee where, without proper support, it will stall to a dead end. Passage of the Tuscarora Recognition Bill would undo centuries of hardship, bring equality to the Tuscarora Nation, and put an end to years of mistreatment. It’s long past time for action.

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

Donnie Rahnàwakew McDowell is the Public Relations Officer for the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina.

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Table of contents

Acknowledgments Prologue: Living in Historical Time 1. Welcome to Skaru’re Our Visit in 1948–1949 Landscape Fitting In The Rorschach Project Recording Tuscarora Texts 2. Tuscarora Fifty Years Later The Bissell Family Orientation Changes and Persistence Diversity and Forbearance Gender Balance Churches and Spirituality Work and Play The World Off the Reserve 3. The Tuscarora in North Carolina: Peace, War, and Exodus The History Group First Encounters 1521–1650 The Tuscarora War 1711–1713 Migration and Dispersal The Communities at Onaquaga and Niagara Factions 4. Policies of Accommodation The Success of the Family Farm Christian Missions versus the “Old Religion” The Temperance Society Baptist Traditionalism Voices of Accommodation: Cusick, Johnson, Hewitt Combining the Best of Both Cultures 5. Ethnostess: Selves Lost and Found The Concept of Ethnostress The Denial of Reciprocity The Reservation Schools at Tuscarora The Thomas Indian School Coping with Ethnostress 6. Siege, Resistance, and Renewal Land Claims and the Doctrine of Discovery The Reservoir The Enduring Siege Voices of Resistance: Clinton Rickard, Ted Williams, Mad Bear 7. Family: Household, Clan, and the Woman’s Line The Matrilineal Clan The Paternal Lineage Enrollment Marriage and Kinship Terminology Land and Kinship Genealogical Records Blood Quantum 8. Governance: Nation, Community, and Confederacy The Council of Chiefs The Business council vs. Traditional Chiefs’ Council The Meetings of Clans and Clan Mothers The Haudenosaunee Confederacy 9. Preserving the Cycle of Life Growing Up Indian Creation and the Good Mind The Thanksgiving Address Environmentalism The Medicines and Spiritual Powers The Condolence Ceremony Preserving the Cycle of Life Epilogue: Saving the Seventh Generation In Memoriam: A Tribute to My Big Sister Notes on Sources Bibliography Index

The definitive history of the Tuscaroras and their return to western New York.

Description

Tuscarora is the comprehensive history of the small Iroquois Indian reservation community just north of Niagara Falls in western New York. The Tuscaroras consider themselves to be a sovereign nation, independent of the United States and the State of New York. They have preserved a system of social organization and ideal public values, along with the Tonawanda Seneca and the Onondagas that retains matrilineal clans, and a Council of Chiefs nominated by the clan matrons. Over the course of their existence, however, the Tuscarora have faced many struggles. Stemming from over sixty years of research, Anthony F. C. Wallace follows their story of overcoming war and loss of population, migration from North Carolina in the 1700s, the emotional trauma and social disorders resulting from discrimination and abusive conditions in residential boarding schools, and successful adaption to urban industrial society. Wallace weaves together historical detail, ethnography, and his own personal reflections to offer a unique and sweeping look at this fascinating group of people.

Anthony F. C. Wallace is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of many books, including The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca .

"This delightful book reads more like a memoir than an ethnographic history, but it is filled with great ethnographic and historical perspectives. Demonstrated in the text is a sense of humility—in essence, Wallace writing candidly about being corrected by community members, including his hosts … overall Wallace adds to the growing aggregate of Haudenosaunee cultural and historical books … Highly recommended." — CHOICE "…an accessible, insightful, and challenging work that embodies the self-aware, self-critical thinking that now characterizes the discipline of anthropology … Tuscarora: A History is free of illusions, worshipfulness, pity. It's an exercise in, and an exemplar of, 'the good mind.'" — Artvoice

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Copyright notice

This article is from the Encyclopedia of North Carolina edited by William S. Powell. Copyright © 2006 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. For personal use and not for further distribution. Please submit permission requests for other use directly to the publisher .

Is anything in this article factually incorrect? Please submit a comment.

Have a question or a suggestion about this entry contact ncpedia at https://www.ncpedia.org/contact, tuscarora indians.

by Thomas C. Parramore, 2006; Revised November 2022. Additional research provide by George Stevenson, Harry L. Thompson, and Louis P. Towles.

See also: NCpedia articles related to the Tuscarora Indian War

Close up of Collett's 1770 map of NC, illustrating where the Tuscarora Indians were located

A considerable fur trade with the Tuscarora began to develop in Virginia perhaps as early as the 1650s, and the Tuscarora became for a time a formidable presence in Virginia affairs. About 1701 Virginia began tolerating white encroachment on Indian lands west of Blackwater River, and the Chowan frontier immediately dissolved. Whites began pushing into lands of the Meherrin tribe, probably also Iroquoian and understood to be clients of the Tuscarora. The Tuscarora Upper Towns, those under the sway of Chief Tom Blount and occupying sites along the upper Neuse , Tar, and Roanoke Rivers, had sufficiently profitable relations with the whites to accept the new situation as long as they were not directly threatened. The Lower Towns, on the lower Neuse River and the Catechna (now Contentnea) Creek, led by Chief Hancock, were less disposed to do so. Importuned by small coastal tribes who were harassed by white settlements from Bath to New Bern between 1701 and 1711, Hancock and the Lower Towns in September 1711 staged what was evidently intended as a warning attack on white settlements.

The wanderings of Christoph von Graffenried and John Lawson in Tuscarora territory proved to be the flash point. The two men were taken hostage by the Tuscarora in September 1711, and Lawson was subsequently put to death. The brutal and swift English response soon developed into the full-scale Tuscarora War, during which successive expeditions of whites and non-Tuscarora Indians from South Carolina in 1712 and 1713 took on Hancock’s forces. Hancock and his people built and employed forts as part of their defensive strategy. The Tuscarora forts were built after 22 Sept. 1711, when a surprise attack upon the colonists on the Cape Fear River killed many settlers. Between October and December 1711, the Tuscarora, expecting a counterattack, turned their living areas into forts and withdrew their families, their crops, and their animals into these structures. Although not unlike European forts, the Tuscarora structures were variations of their circular and square palisade defense perimeters that predated the arrival of the whites. Probably due to the influence of the Europeans, the Tuscarora added thistle bushes outside fort walls and trenches inside the palisades, and at least one fort, Fort Neoheroka, possessed a strong redoubt to cover its entrance.

In late December 1711, Col. John ‘‘Jack’’ Barnwell, with 366 Indians and 30 white militia, marched over 300 miles from South Carolina to the aid of the North Carolinians fighting the Tuscarora. In January 1712 his command besieged and captured Fort Narhantes, 20 miles from New Bern, killing or taking prisoner nearly 400 Indians. Barnwell, with the aid of approximately 150 North Carolina militia, then moved against the larger and better-prepared Fort Hancock on Catechna Creek. An uncoordinated assault in early March failed, and Barnwell withdrew until 7 April, when he again moved against Fort Hancock. This time he approached the fort cautiously, over the course of ten days, by siege trenches. When his men were within 11 yards of the palisades, he ordered the space between the trenches and the walls to be filled by a ‘‘great quantity’’ of lightwood that he intended to set on fire in order to burn the palisades. Others of his command began bombarding Catechna with cannon. At this point, the Indians threatened to kill their white captives, and Barnwell agreed to a peace that required the Tuscarora to cede all territory between the Neuse and the Cape Fear Rivers. He and his Indians then returned to South Carolina.

In early 1713 South Carolina sent James Moore at the head of another expedition of whites and Indian allies aimed at destroying the Tuscarora. The last great stand of the Tuscarora took place at Fort Neoheroka on 20–23 Mar. 1713. Fort Hancock had been built according to state-of-the-art European ideas under the direction of a freedom-seeking South Carolina enslaved man named Harry, and Fort Neoheroka may have been a product of the same direction. A marsh to the south offered access to the fort only along a narrow ridge. The fort’s earthen walls (with loopholes for firing), topped by tall palisades of logs angled against still taller blockhouses, were surrounded by a moat and trenches; within were second walls and underground bunkers for noncombatants.

Moore’s men overran the trenches and raised a blockhouse and battery near the walls high enough to permit firing into Fort Neoheroka. On 20 March the attackers dug a tunnel to a portion of the outer wall and tried to blow it apart, but the effort failed because of defective powder. A subsequent charge carried part of the outer works and made it possible to set fire to a blockhouse and other parts of the fort. Still, three days of desperate hand-to-hand fighting were required for the South Carolinians to gain control, the defenders showing themselves, according to Baron von Graffenried , ‘‘unspeakably brave. . . . Wounded savages . . . on the ground still continued to fight. There were about 200 who were burned up in a redoubt and . . . in all about 900, including women and children were dead and captured.’’ Moore had 151 casualties, including 47 killed. This action ended the war-making capacity of the Tuscarora.

Tom Blount’s Upper Town Tuscarora, who had aided the European settlers in the war and even handed over Chief Hancock to the whites toward its close, were rewarded with a reservation. Lands on the north side of the Roanoke River between Quitsna Swamp and Deep Creek in southwestern Bertie County were secured in 1717 for this purpose. (An earlier reserved tract between the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers had proved unsatisfactory to Blount and his people.) The location of the reservation is shown on Moseley’s map of 1733, Collett’s map of 1770, and Price and Strother’s 1808 map, where it is assigned its popular name, Indian Woods Reservation.

The Tuscaroras who had opposed the settlers removed to Niagara County, N.Y., to join the Five Nations, thereafter the Six Nations. After several legal exchanges, the Tuscarora executed a deed to the state in 1831 extinguishing their title, right, and interest in the North Carolina land. Some 645 families or clans of Tuscaroras remained in the South, however, migrating to other parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Their descendants eventually came together and reformed into four communities in and around Robeson County —the Tuscarora Nation East of the Mountain, the Tuscarora Tribe of North Carolina, the Southern Band Tuscarora Indian Tribe, and the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina—none of which, as of the early 2000s, was officially recognized by the state of North Carolina.

References:

Thomas C. Parramore, "The Tuscarora Ascendancy," NCHR 59 (October 1982).

Parramore, "With Tuscarora Jack on the Back Path to Bath," NCHR 64 (April 1987).

Herbert J. Paschal Jr., "The Tuscarora Indians in North Carolina" (M.A. thesis, UNC-Chapel Hill, 1953).

Image credits:

Collett, John. 1770. "Compleat map of North-Carolina from an actual survey." North Carolina Collection Gallery, UNC. Online at:  http://dc.lib.unc.edu/u?/ncmaps,467 . Accessed 11/2011. Note: Image in this entry is only a small section of the larger image, illustrating the location of the Tuscarora Indians as depicted on the map.

1 January 2006 | Parramore, Thomas C. ; Stevenson, George, Jr.; Thompson, Harry L.; Towles, Louis P.

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History of the Indian Woods Reservation

Eastern North Carolina was once like the wild, wild west.

In the early 1700s, the Tuscarora Indians were divided into two factions: the Northern Tuscarora, led by Chief Tom Blunt, and the Southern Tuscarora, led by Chief Hancock. When the European settlers came, they stole land, brought disease and even enslaved people.

The Southern Tuscarora rebelled by launching the Tuscarora War. Settlers fought back and were aided by Indian enemies of Chief Hancock, including the Northern Tuscarora. Chief Hancock was defeated in Greene County.

For his help, Chief Blunt was given 53,000 acres near Bertie. This became Indian Woods.

– Ron Smith, APR, S&A Communications

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IMAGES

  1. Tuscarora Nation Tribal Grounds

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  2. The Tuscarora tribe endured violence and upheaval, but some have

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  3. 2019 Tuscarora Nation of North Carlina Powwow

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  4. Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina

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  5. 2011 Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina Grand Entry 3.MP4

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  6. 5 Facts About The Tuscarora Tribe

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VIDEO

  1. 168th annual Tuscarora picnic smoke dance (3)

  2. Tuscarora Township Special Meeting May 11, 2023

  3. Tuscarora Township Meeting December 7, 2021 Part 2

  4. Tuscarora Township Special Meeting 11-16-2022

  5. Tuscarora Township Board of Trustees Special Meeting July 20, 2023

  6. Tuscarora Township Special Meeting December 14, 2023

COMMENTS

  1. Tuscarora Indian Nation

    The Tuscarora Reservation is not a classic reservation as defined in the federal Indian law. There are three tracts to the land and each has a unique status. The first tract, rather small in the Northwest corner is land lent by the Senecas in perpetuity. The second larger tract is the Holland Land gift to the Tuscarora Nation who have title to it.

  2. Tuscarora Reservation

    The Tuscarora Reservation (Nyučirhéʼę in Tuscarora) is an Indian reservation in Niagara County, New York. The population was 1,152 at the 2010 census. The population was 1,152 at the 2010 census. The Tuscarora are a federally recognized tribe and the Sixth Nation of the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois Confederacy active before the American ...

  3. Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina

    Learn about Tuscarora Indians and their rich cultural heritage by respecting and learning from our elders through educational classes, Pow Wows, and open tours of the traditional Tuscarora Village Site. Among other structures, grounds also feature a gift shop, museum, and tribal library open for public visits. Website (910) 844-3352 Directions.

  4. Tribal Government

    Tasked with the welfare of the Tuscarora people and their environment. top of page. Skaroreh Katenuaka ... VISIT OUR VILLAGE & LONGHOUSE. ... Your government hasn't honored our treaties, but you can.-Skhawáʔkye. 1327 Indian Woods Road Windsor,NC 27983 (252)325-3308. Home. Employment. Departments. Culture. Government. Subsidaries. Events.

  5. TUSCARORA TRIBE OF NC

    Our Tribal Chairman and Traditional Chief. Welcome You. ~As They Continue to Bless The Lands Here in Eastern North Carolina, In the Original Tuscarora Territories, Our Tribal Chairman, Cecil Hunt, and Traditional Chief, Elisha Locklear Send Their Greetings and Warm Welcome to You As You Visit Our Site. We Look Forward to Meeting You One Day ...

  6. Tuscarora Nation

    Tuscarora Nation. In the tapestry of American history, woven with the vibrant threads of diverse cultures, the Tuscarora tribe emerges as a compelling and enigmatic strand. Nestled in the narrative of North America, long before skyscrapers and smartphones, the Tuscarora people carved a life in the lush landscapes of the East Coast.

  7. Tuscarora

    Bureau of Indian Affairs; Bureau of Indian Education; ... Tribe Full Name Tuscarora Nation Choose "Tribe" if it is a federally recognized tribe, or "Affiliate" if it is an affiliate of federally recognized tribe Tribe First Name Tom ... Visit USA.gov ...

  8. Native American Museum of Art

    Located within the Tuscarora Reservation, the Native American Museum of Art land is a priceless treasury of Iroquois culture and traditions. This unique art museum is an easily overlooked gem ...

  9. nativeamericanmuseumart.com

    The Native American Museum of Art (NAMA) is located on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation at Smokin Joes Indian Trading Post. Explore and experience 3500 square feet of artistic museum space dedicated to strengthening, preserving and revitalizing Native American arts, languages and cultures. Visit www.smokinjoes.com for more details.

  10. Tuscarora & Six Nations Websites

    Fed. Power Comm. vs Tuscarora Nation. 257 F2d 885 Tuscarora Nation of Indians v. Power Authority of State of New York W. Chief Elias Johnson Suspended. 1711 The Tuscarora War. 1891 - Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora Indians. Traditional Indian Corn Soup Recipe.

  11. New York Indian Reservations

    1. The Allegany Reservation (Uhì·yaʼ in Tuscarora) is an American Indian reservation in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 1,020 at the 2010 census. The reservation is primarily occupied by members of the Seneca of the Iroquois, but a smaller number of Cayuga, another Iroquois tribe, also reside there.

  12. Tuscarora

    The Indian loss was 950, about half killed and the balance taken into slavery. Moore's loss was fifty-seven killed and eighty-two wounded. With this one crushing blow, the power of the Tuscarora nation was broken.". Well, that's the official story, but it's not the whole story, nor was the Tuscarora Nation broken.

  13. 11 Tourist-Friendly Native Indian Reservations to Visit

    1. Navajo Nation, Arizona. The Navajo Nation is located in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is the largest Native American Indian reservation in the country, covering over 27,000 square miles. The reservation is home to the Navajo people, known for their traditional jewelry and incredible artwork.

  14. Tuscarora (tribe)

    Tuscarora Nation at Lewiston, New York. The Tuscarora Reservation is an Indian reservation located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 1,138 at the 2000 census. The reservation is a composite holding derived from land given to the tribe the Seneca, land donated by the Holland Land Company, and ...

  15. Tuscarora: A History

    Tuscarora is the comprehensive history of the small Iroquois Indian reservation community just north of Niagara Falls in western New York. The Tuscaroras consider themselves to be a sovereign nation, independent of the United States and the State of New York. They have preserved a system of social organization and ideal public values, along with the Tonawanda Seneca and the Onondagas that ...

  16. It's long past time for North Carolina to recognize the Tuscarora

    As early as 1712, multiple treaties between the Upper Villages of the Tuscarora and the government of North Carolina were concluded, establishing a "nation to nation" relationship. This would later lead to the creation of the Tuscarora reservation, formerly known as Indian Woods, in eastern North Carolina.

  17. Tuscarora people

    Southern Band Tuscarora Indian Tribe, Windsor Tuscarora Tribe of Indians Maxton (1979) effective date per Sec. of State NC, 08/20/1990 Tuscarora Nation One Fire Council at Robeson County , North Carolina (formed in 2010 from several bands in Robeson County)

  18. Tuscarora

    Description. Tuscarora is the comprehensive history of the small Iroquois Indian reservation community just north of Niagara Falls in western New York. The Tuscaroras consider themselves to be a sovereign nation, independent of the United States and the State of New York. They have preserved a system of social organization and ideal public values, along with the Tonawanda Seneca and the ...

  19. Tuscarora Indians

    Tuscarora Indians occupied much of the North Carolina inner Coastal Plain at the time of the Roanoke Island colonies in the 1580s. They were considered the most powerful and highly developed tribe in what is now eastern North Carolina and were thought to possess mines of precious metal. White settlers on Albemarle Sound fought sporadically with ...

  20. History of the Indian Woods Reservation

    History of the Indian Woods Reservation. June 5, 2017. Eastern North Carolina was once like the wild, wild west. In the early 1700s, the Tuscarora Indians were divided into two factions: the Northern Tuscarora, led by Chief Tom Blunt, and the Southern Tuscarora, led by Chief Hancock. When the European settlers came, they stole land, brought ...

  21. Tuscarora

    Tuscarora, Iroquoian -speaking North American Indian tribe. When first encountered by Europeans in the 17th century, the Tuscarora occupied what is now North Carolina. They were noted for their use of indigenous hemp for fibre and medicine. Traditionally, the Tuscarora depended heavily on cultivating corn (maize); they were also expert hunters.

  22. Tribal Leaders Directory

    It should be used in conjunction with the Federal Register Notice of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (81 Fed. Reg. 26826), which is the official listing of all federally recognized tribes in the United States, pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act ...

  23. Tuscarora Indian Reservation (New York) • FamilySearch

    Federal and State Reservations and Trust Areas. 1974. FS Library book 970.1 Un3fe/1974. United States Department of the Interior. Executive Orders Relating to Indian Reservations. Washington: [United States] Government Printing Office, 1912 (v. 1), 1922 (v. 2). Vol. 1 - May 14, 1855 to July 1, 1912. Vol. 2 - July 1, 1912 to July 1, 1922.