“Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we Share the Earth: Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, Winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, Plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty.” -Native American Elder

Native Americans Native Americans were the first people to settle in what is now South Carolina. There were many Native American groups who came to South Carolina long ago. Over time they settled in different regions in our state. They hunted animals and grew crops. They built their homes in different ways.

Native Americans Three major Native American tribes lived in South Carolina  Cherokee - lived in the northwestern part of South Carolina  Catawba - lived in the hills of the Piedmont  Yemassee - lived at the coast of South Carolina Each tribe spoke different languages and had different ways of life. Three major Native American tribes lived in South Carolina  Cherokee - lived in the northwestern part of South Carolina  Catawba - lived in the hills of the Piedmont  Yemassee - lived at the coast of South Carolina Each tribe spoke different languages and had different ways of life.

Cherokee  Lived in the mountains  Built towns along the rivers  Towns had homes  Hunted bear, deer, and turkey for food  Planted corn, beans, squash, and melons  Lived in the mountains  Built towns along the rivers  Towns had homes  Hunted bear, deer, and turkey for food  Planted corn, beans, squash, and melons

Sequoyah  A famous Cherokee leader  Invented a system for writing the Cherokee language  Language- Iroquoian Social Studies book page 92&93  A famous Cherokee leader  Invented a system for writing the Cherokee language  Language- Iroquoian Social Studies book page 92&93

Importance of Rivers  Fishing  Travel  Food  Drinking  Cooking  Bathing  Fishing  Travel  Food  Drinking  Cooking  Bathing The Cherokee traded with other groups who lived along the rivers. The Cherokee traded clothing, food, and art. They also shared news.

Fire The Cherokee used fire in many ways. To bake bread and roast meat. They used fire to soften wood and hollow it out to build “dugout” canoes. They cleared fields for farming by lighting fires. They also used it to make clay pottery.

Cherokee Government  Council House was the center of government for a Cherokee village  The Cherokee had leaders, called chiefs, the village council was more powerful than the chief.  Each adult person in the village was able to share his or her ideas about important decisions. The council would then discuss these ideas until they came to an agreement about what to do.  Cherokee women attended council meetings and had an important role.  Council House was the center of government for a Cherokee village  The Cherokee had leaders, called chiefs, the village council was more powerful than the chief.  Each adult person in the village was able to share his or her ideas about important decisions. The council would then discuss these ideas until they came to an agreement about what to do.  Cherokee women attended council meetings and had an important role.

Cherokee Village

Catawba  Lived in the Piedmont  Settled near the Catawba River  Catawba means “River People”  Made pottery, bowls, baskets, and mats to trade  Language-Siouan  Lived in the Piedmont  Settled near the Catawba River  Catawba means “River People”  Made pottery, bowls, baskets, and mats to trade  Language-Siouan

Catawba Homes  Round or oval  Made of young trees  Covered with bark  Fireplace inside  Round or oval  Made of young trees  Covered with bark  Fireplace inside

Catawba Government Like the Cherokee, the Catawba built a council house for meetings. Each village had a chief who led the council. Long ago, Hagler led the Catawba. He was a respected leader and worked to help his people live together in peace.

Yemassee  Unlike Cherokee and Catawba, Yemassee ate shellfish  Lived at the coast near the South Carolina and Georgia border  We know they were there because of midden mounds  Midden mounds are ancient trash heaps which contain pottery and shells  Unlike Cherokee and Catawba, Yemassee ate shellfish  Lived at the coast near the South Carolina and Georgia border  We know they were there because of midden mounds  Midden mounds are ancient trash heaps which contain pottery and shells

Yemassee Homes  Round  Covered with Palmetto Fronds  Yemassee language- Muskhogean  In warm weather, they lived in homes near the beach. During colder weather, they moved to inland villages.  Round  Covered with Palmetto Fronds  Yemassee language- Muskhogean  In warm weather, they lived in homes near the beach. During colder weather, they moved to inland villages.

Cherokee Catawba Yemassee