Waccamaw Siouan Indian Tribe to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker

An American Indian tribe that settled in southeastern North Carolina soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

The marker commemorating the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe will be dedicated during a ceremony Oct. 12 at 10 a.m., at the Waccamaw Siouan tribal grounds (7239 Old Lake Rd, Bolton, N.C.).

The “People of the Falling Star,” currently known as the Waccamaw Siouan Indian Tribe, were first documented in 1701 by John Lawson as he visited the tribal areas located on the lower Neuse River not far from the Tuscarora Tribe. Lawson recorded 143 words from the Siouan Language which is a similar dialect of the southwestern neighboring Catawba Tribe, which resides in present-day South Carolina. The words are documented in Lawson’s book, "A Vocabulary of Woccon," which can be found in the State Archives of North Carolina.

After the Indian Wars in North Carolina known as the Tuscarora (1711-1713) and Yamassee (1715) Wars, the Waccamaw Siouans (Woccon) retreated southeast to the current day Green Swamp in Columbus County, while others were adopted by the Catawba Tribe with their similar language dialects. The Waccamaw Siouan remained in obscurity until the late-1700s.

Tribal history speaks of the formation of Lake Waccamaw. The lore says a huge meteor crashed into the earth’s surface, creating a large crater and forming the lake. While there is no known translation of the word "Waccamaw," a study of the Catawba language provides clues to its origin. A game played by the Catawba Indian children is spelled Wap Ka’ Hare, which translated is “ball knock.” Listening to an Indian say this word sounds like “Wah-um-wah.” Historians say it is reasonable to conclude that "Waccamaw," is the English translation of part of the phrase that told of the ball of fire that “knocked” into the earth and created Lake Waccamaw.

The Waccamaw Siouan received North Carolina state recognition in 1971 and hold membership with the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. The tribe was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1977. On the third week of October, an annual powwow is held on the tribal grounds. The major communities of tribal members are St. James, east of Lake Waccamaw, and Buckhead and Council, north of Bolton, N.C.

For a more complete history of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe visit https://waccamaw-siouan.org

For more information about the historical marker, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2023/12/12/waccamaw-siouan-indian-tribe-d-123, or call (919) 814-6625.

The marker is one of nine markers being dedicated in 2024 that highlight American Indian culture and history in North Carolina. Historical markers were approved for the Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan tribes. In addition, historical markers were approved for the site of the East Carolina Indian School and the Buie Mound site. The N.C. American Indian Heritage Commission staff worked closely with N.C. tribes to complete applications to be considered for the historical marker program.

The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the N.C. departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.