Catawba Nation

The Catawba--one of the few original Native American communities of the Carolinas--have a rich and fascinating history that can be dated to 2400 BC.

While the Catawba once were the inhabitants of a large swath of land that covered parts of North and South Carolina, after managing to remain in the Carolinas during the notorious Trail of Tears, most Catawba now live on a reservation in York County, South Carolina. In Catawba Nation: Treasures in History, Thomas J. Blumer seeks to preserve and present the history of this resilient people. Blumer chronicles Catawba history, such as Hernando de Soto's meeting with the Lady of Cofitachique, the leadership of Chief James Harris and the fame of potter Georgia Harris, who won the National Heritage Award for her art. Using an engaging mix of folklore, oral history and historical records, Blumer weaves an accessible history of the tribe, preserving their story of suffering and survival for future generations.