Celebrating Native American Traditions Past and Present at the Laurens County Museum
September 20, 2023
The Laurens County Museum on the Historic Square in Laurens, SC, and the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation will host the “Celebrating Native American Traditions Past and Present” arts programs on Saturdays, October 21 and 28, 2023. More programs will be held in March, 2024, with programs at the Museum and field trips for school children to the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina tribal grounds on Warrior Creek Church Road in Gray Court. These wonderful programs with traditional Native American artists, dancers, musicians, storytellers, and speakers are made possible through a generous grant from the SC Arts Commission.
“This historic collaboration between the Laurens County Museum and the Piedmont American Indian Association-Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina (PAIA) is mutually beneficial to all. Cherokee traditional artists will have the opportunity to share their work with the public, fostering awareness of the enduring presence and contributions of the PAIA community in the area. The Laurens County Museum is making a living connection between its extensive Native American collections and the county’s contemporary Cherokee community, while supporting the preservation and presentation of vibrant cultural traditions like beadwork, pottery, basketry, flute playing, and dream catchers,” said Dr. Laura Green, Director of Folklife and Traditional Arts Director. “Visitors will enjoy the chance to learn firsthand about the local Native American heritage in their midst. The South Carolina Arts Commission is pleased to provide support for this exciting slate of programs through a Folklife & Traditional Arts Project Grant. Folk and traditional arts uniquely embody important knowledge and practices that are at the heart of a cultural community’s identity and way of being in the world.”
Native American artists will speak about and demonstrate traditional Native American arts and skills. Hands-on workshops will be offered on some of the skills. Spaces are limited and registration is required for the workshops, though others may observe. All programs are free and open to the public.
October 21:
Speakers and artists for Saturday, October 21, will begin at 10:00 am. Chief Dexter Yellow Hawk Sharp, Chief of the PAIA Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of SC, and Chief Harold Hatcher, PhD, Chief of the Waccamaw People, will open the event. Each will speak and their talks will be followed by a question and answer period. Chief Sharp will speak about the history of the Cherokee People and current issues affecting them. Sharp makes primitive bows, atlatls, river cane blow guns and darts. Chief Hatcher will speak about the history of the Waccamaw People and current Native American issues. Chief Hatcher resides in Conway, SC, and has led state and national Native American organizations including the SC Indian Affairs Commission and the the National Coalition for Indian Equality, a coalition consisting of over 400 Native American tribes and groups. He has spoken around the country, is a decorated United States Army veteran, and is featured in two South Carolina text books – At Home in South Carolina and the history book South Carolina.
At 1:30 pm on October 21, Cherokee potter Billy Lightwalker Fulcher will talk and demonstrate traditional Cherokee pottery making. Also at 1:30 pm that day, Pee Dee Indian Marcy Hayden, Native American Indian Community Advocate, will talk about Pee Dee Indian beading. At 2:30, Hayden will conduct a beading workshop where participants can make a beaded craft. Pre-registration by calling the Museum at (864) 681-3678 is required as participation in the workshop is limited.
October 28:
Beginning at 10:00 am, Cherokee flute player Kim Two Moons Erwood will talk and play the flute. Two Moons will demonstrate other traditional instruments, hand drum, and rattlers.
At 1:30 pm, Cherokee basket weaver Deborah Moon Wolf Duncan and Cherokee Elder Patsy Dancing Wolf Durham, a dream catcher artist, will speak about their crafts. Each will lead a workshop beginning at 2:30 pm. Basket weaver Moon Wolf will lead participants in making a tobacco basket, and Dancing Wolf will lead a hands on workshop in making a dream catcher. Workshop participation is limited and all participants must pre-register by calling the Museum at (864) 681-3678.
Other programs in the Celebrating Native American Traditions Past and Present series will occur in March, 2024, with programs and workshops on Saturday, March 16, and field trips for school children to the PAIA Lower Eastern Nation Tribal Grounds of SC in Gray Court, SC.
These events highlighting traditional Native American art, crafts, and traditions are made possible by a grant from the SC Arts Commission. All programs and workshops are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Laurens County Museum at (864) 681-3678, or go to www.Laurenscountymuseum.org. The Laurens County Museum is located at 116 South Public Square, Laurens, SC 29360. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
