Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians

Chief Lisa Collins of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians is excited to be part of the 81st Annual Convention of the National Congress of American Indians. She looks forward to connecting with other tribal leaders from across the country to discuss key issues and collaborate on strategies to support Native communities.

Members of the Wassamasaw Executive Board had an incredible time at the Gaillard Center in downtown Charleston with Martha Redbone and the American Patchwork Quartet. It was a privilege to meet Martha and enjoy a wonderful lunch with her and the Gaillard team who made this event possible. We were thrilled to be part of this experience alongside 1,600 students from across the tri-county area, who also attended and were deeply engaged in this inspiring event.

The Wassamasaw Tribe is excited to announce a special Park After Dark event, in collaboration with the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (SC CMA), the Santee Tribe, and Old Santee Canal Park. This year’s event will feature a screening of the documentary Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World, a film that showcases the profound influence of Native Americans on popular music. Free Admission! Attendees can enjoy frybread and popcorn from local vendors while taking in the outdoor movie experience. Stay tuned for more details, and we look forward to celebrating Native heritage with you under the stars!

This year, the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (SCCMA), in collaboration with the Nickelodeon Theatre in Columbia and Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner, is continuing Goins' legacy. They are reviving the tradition of Native American film screenings, providing a platform to showcase Indigenous people's rich history, struggles and cultural pride through film.

Chief Lisa Collins of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians joins USC Lancaster Native American Studies Director Dr. Stephen Criswell and Tribal Councilwoman Dana Muckelvaney from the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe of SC for the “Indigenous Voices: Celebrating the Lowcountry’s First Peoples” panel discussion next Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6pm at the Charleston Gaillard Center. The panel discussion is free, tickets to the “This Land is Our Land” program with vocalist Martha Redbone program begin at $35.

The Wassamasaw Tribe is thrilled to announce this year’s upcoming Lowcountry Tribal Symposium, in collaboration with fellow state-recognized tribes, the Coastal Carolina Fair, and the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs (SC CMA). We are honored to share the history of the Lowcountry tribes while celebrating our rich culture and heritage with the community. Stay tuned for more details—we look forward to seeing you there!

Music for powwow dance activities is provided by a “Drum,” which is a closely knit group of singers who play a large, specially designed drum and sing traditional songs. They are called a “Drum Group”. The number of members of a drum group can vary from 3 members to up to 10 depending on the size of the drum. Usually, a drum group is made up of family members or close friends, and sometimes named after the tribal community they represent. Northern and Southern Drums have a distinctive style of singing. Northern drums sing in a higher pitch and have a longer set of four to eight honor beats. Southern drums sing in a lower pitch and quicker pace with a distinctive set of three honor beats. Dancers acknowledge the honor beats according to their dance style. This year, we have the pleasure of having both Drum Group styles represented at the Wassamasaw Annual Powwow . The Host Drum, Bad Boyz, leads the Grand Entry and Flag Song, as well as the closing songs. The Guest Drum, Warpaint Singers, helps to provide songs for the dance competitions as well as any special songs that they perform. Both the Host Drum and Guest Drums are selected by reputation as well as by their knowledge of traditional and modern songs. The Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians is pleased and honored to have two such well-known and respected drums at our Powwow next weekend!

At the Wassamasaw Annual Powwow our Kid's Area, located after the entrance area on the way to the Dance Arena, will feature jump castles and treats from Miss Maddie's Sweets & Treats LLC. From 11 AM to 12 PM, Charlie T. River Dog will make a special appearance, giving out Riverdog T-shirts and swag. We appreciate the RiverDogs' support of our Powwow. Additionally, Clemson University's College of Science will provide a make-your-own UV Bracelet activity. The kids can also enjoy pony rides and face painting at the Marsh Tacky Horse Exhibit and explore the Museum while there. Plan to arrive early so your kids can experience all these activities before the Grand Entry. Once that begins, we hope to have their attention learning about the wonderful native dances being performed in the Arena. Their favorite will be the Candy Dance!

The event, which is open to the public, will include drumming, dancing, singing and other celebrations of Native American culture.

I was pleased to attend the public kickoff of the Dorchester Heritage Center, where I had the opportunity to hear Chief Creel and other key stakeholders share their vision and plans for preserving the county’s rich history. The Center will also establish a steering committee composed of Chief Creel from the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe of SC, Chief Pratt from the Santee Tribe, and Chief Collins of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians, to ensure the accurate representation of Native American history and culture.