Meherrin Indian Tribe Explained

Meherrin Indian Tribe
Logo Alt:Meherrin Tribe seal
Named After:Meherrin people
Formation:1976, incorporated: February 15, 1977
Founders:-->
Founding Location:Winton, North Carolina
Defunct:-->
Type:state-recognized tribe, nonprofit organization
Tax Id:Foundation: EIN 56-1394419
Purpose:Cultural, Ethnic Awareness (A23)
Location City:Ahoskie, North Carolina
Location Country:United States
Membership:900
Membership Year:2022
Owners:-->
Leader Title:Acting Chief
Leader Name:Jonathan Cadill
Publication:-->
Parent Organisation:-->
Revenue:$85,454
Revenue Year:2021
Expenses:$49,050
Expenses Year:2021
Staff:0

The Meherrin Indian Tribe is a state-recognized tribe and nonprofit organization in North Carolina. Its members identify as descendants of the Meherrin people. This group is not federally recognized as a Native American tribe.

The Meherrin Indian Tribe says their autonym is Kauwets'a:ka, which translates to "People of the Water."[1] [2]

Organization

The Meherrin Indian Tribe was founded in 1976 and incorporated a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on February 15, 1977.[3] George E. Pierce of Winton, North Carolina, is the registered agent.[3]

The officers as of 2021 were:

They have more than 900 members.[4]

Identity

In the 1990s, the member claimed descent from Sallie M. Smith Lewis (ca. 1844–1904), who they described as "the last full-blooded Meherrin Indian." In 2011, they identified as descendants of Meherrin people who they said lived on Potecasi Creek in North Carolina. The historical Meherrin people were last described as living in North Carolina in 1763. The proposed finding by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Acknowledgment found that "evidence does not demonstrate that Sallie M. (Smith) Lewis or the historical landowners allegedly near Potecasi Creek were Indian, Meherrin Indian, or members of a Meherrin Indian or other Indian tribe."

State-recognition

The State of North Carolina designated the Meherrin Indian Tribe as state-recognized tribe in 1986.[5]

Petition for recognition

In 1995, the Meherrin Indian Tribe filed a petition with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal acknowledgment of existence as an Indian tribe.[6] The proposed finding by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA) declined their petition and ruled that "The petitioner has not documented, nor has the OFA identified a historical Indian tribe, or tribes that combined, from which its members descend."[5]

Activity

The Meherrin Indian Tribe hosts an annual powwow[7] held on their dance grounds between Ahoskie and Murfreesboro.[8] They also maintain a garden.[9]

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation have given grants to the Meherrin Indian Tribe.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joelle Joyner . National Museum of the American Indian . March 15, 2023.
  2. Book: Shujaa . Kenya J. . Shujaa . Mwalimu J. . The SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America . 2015 . SAGE Publications . Los Angeles . 9781483346380 . 498 .
  3. Web site: Meherrin Indian Tribe . OpenCorporates . March 13, 2023.
  4. News: Caudle . Hollyann . People of the Water: The Meherrin Tribe . March 15, 2023 . The Tribune . November 30, 2022.
  5. Washburn . Kevin K. . Proposed Finding Against the Acknowledgment of the Meherrin Indian Tribe . Federal Register . January 23, 2014 . 79 . 15 . 3859–60 .
  6. Deer . Ada E. . Receipt of Petition for Federal Acknowledgment of Existence as an Indian Tribe . Federal Register . May 1, 1996 . 61 . 85 . 19314 . March 14, 2023.
  7. Web site: Meherrin Indian Tribe . GuideStar . March 15, 2023.
  8. News: Bryant . Cal . Meherrin Tribe ready to celebrate their heritage . March 15, 2023 . Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald . October 11, 2022.
  9. Web site: Meherrin Indian Tribe . CauseIQ . March 15, 2023.