Waccamaw tribe gathers for annual pauwau

AYNOR - The Waccamaw Indians celebrated American freedom with their annual Arts Festival and Pauwau held on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2.  The first Pauwau held on the Aynor property was in 2005.  The twelve years before this, the Pauwau was celebrated at the Loris fairgrounds.  In 1992, a formal organization was formed. This was to help protect and preserve the traditions and history of the Waccamaw People. 
The Waccamaw People of Conway are descended from a group of people that lived in the area now known as Dog Bluff the Dimery settlement.
“I am proud of my heritage and my roots,“ said second Chief (Internal) Iris ‘Leading Bird’ Ewing. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘In truth, in time to come, we will know that we are all related.‘ If we don’t take care of Mother Earth, she will not take care of us. This is the only Earth that God has given us.  We have really destroyed much of its beauty.  What will we leave for the future generations if we don’t take care of what we have now?“
The day began at sunrise with a blessing and purification of the grounds.  Gates were open to the public at 10 a.m. Master of Ceremonies was Rick Bird known as ‘Rick Youngblood’ to his many professional wrestling fans.  He is also part of the Bird Choppers who were the Host Drum at this year’s Pauwau.
“I am proud of my Cherokee heritage and I thank God for all He has done for me,“ Youngblood said. “My advice to the younger generation would be to respect your elders, stay away from drugs and alcohol, stay in school and be the best that you can be, and always respect yourself.“
Fred Biddix (Cherokee) and Beverly Fobcvak (Ojibbway) were the lead dancers.  Many dances were demonstrated for the crowd. Biddix showed the crowd a dance called the “Hoop Dance.” The Hoop Dance originally came from the Ojibwa or Chippewa.  Now, it’s used by many different tribes. 
The dancer uses the hoops to tell a story. Some formations he made were the waterfall, the ladybug, the eagle, the butterfly, and even Mickey Mouse for the children. Biddix also performed the Men’s Fancy Dance with spins and fancy footwork.
Fobcvak demonstrated the women’s dances such as Women’s Buckskin Dance where she danced to “Grandma’s Song” in honor of the women. She also assisted Biddix with the Friendship Dance.
During this dance, the crowd was invited to join hands and form a circle. The circle represented unity as they moved as one in a counter clockwise direction. Other dances move in a clockwise direction.  Boy Scout Troop # 830 joined in the Friendship Dance. The Fire Ceremony is very sacred to the Waccamaw People who are one of the few remaining tribes who honor and practice this ceremony.
After the fire is started using traditional fire starting techniques, seven different types of hardwood are placed on the fire. Even though dogwood is considered a hardwood, it is not used in this ceremony. This is done in honor of the belief that dogwood was the tree used to build the cross of Jesus Christ.
When you are present at a fire ceremony, it is respectful to honor and observe the traditions of the ceremony. At 1:00 p.m. the Grand Entry began with a Flag Song as all tribal members made their way into the circle. The Veterans’ Song followed as all Veterans were invited to enter the circle and make their way proudly around the ring as they were honored for the sacrifices that they had made for our freedom. Linda Hatcher-Atkinson is the tribal genealogist and pauwau director.
“We had only two and a half months to prepare for this year’s pauwau,“ she said.  “I think it turned out wonderful; even the weather was beautiful.“
The Waccamaw People have long struggled to become recognized as a tribe and on February17, 2005, they finally became the first state recognized tribe in South Carolina.  This is just one step on the journey to their ultimate goal to be recognized as a tribe by the federal government.  To the Waccamaw People, being part of the tribe is not a right, it is a privilege.
“I would love to see the day when we, the Waccamaw People, would automatically be recognized and included. Today, we have come a long way but there are still many things that we can’t take part in,“ Chief Harold Hatcher said. “We look to the time when we will be treated the same and are given the same privileges as others.“
American Indians have long sought the passing of two bills that would be beneficial to their tribes. One bill would remove the restrictions that were placed on the types of feathers that were used in traditional Indian crafts and clothing.  The other bill would allow American Indian spiritual leaders and chiefs, of any state recognized tribe, the honor of performing marriage ceremonies and signing marriage documents.
Both of these bills were signed and put into law by Governor Mark Sanford in June of this year. In July, a special ceremony with Governor Sanford was held in Columbia where about 50 American Indians in traditional dress represented several tribes.
A traditional Native American Wedding Ceremony was held on Saturday during the Pauwau. Chief-elect Harold Hatcher and Acting Chief Susan Hayes were the first to be married under the new law as they reconfirmed their vows Saturday afternoon. Chief Hatcher retired in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008.  He had some words of wisdom the younger generation.
“Talk to your elders and learn from them.  There’s no need to step on the same nails that they stepped on.  Take what they leave behind and go a little farther with it.  You must leave a better world for your own children.  What I want for my tribe, my family, is for the survival of our culture.“