The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians are collectively opposed to the ECSIUT, with the Cherokee Nation notably including the organization in a list of 212 "fraudulent groups" that claim Cherokee identity.[5] These three federally recognized tribes uniformly uphold a strict stance against federally unrecognized Cherokee heritage groups asserting Cherokee tribal identity.[5][6] In 2008, the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians adopted a joint resolution condemning fabricated 'Cherokee tribes' and opposing the recognition of any new tribes or bands claiming Cherokee identity at either the state or federal level.[7]
Headquarters and purpose
The ECSIUT was first headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina and founded by William Moreau Goins, who established the group as the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois, & United Tribes, A Heritage Society on June 27, 1997.[1][8] The name of the society was amended to include The Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina, Inc. on November 23, 1999.[1] The ECSIUT was established with the mission to "preserve, present, protect, and document Cherokee history and other Native American Indian tribes' cultures and individuals, material culture, historic buildings, and folkways in South Carolina".[9] Goins served as CEO until his death on November 11, 2017.[8] The ECSIUT has since relocated and is presently headquartered in Duncan, South Carolina.[4]
In April of 2020, two and a half years after Goins' death, the ECSIUT elected archaeologist Lamar Nelson as their new Chief, "Tribal CEO," and tribal archeologist.[10] Nelson previously served on the organization's board.[11] He alleges to be of Cherokee descent, describing himself as a 'mixed-blood Native American' on the basis of family tradition, claiming his grandmother was half Cherokee and his grandfather was half Choctaw.[11] He has stated that he has practiced his ancestry throughout his life, learned about native plants and Cherokee traditions from his grandmother, and claims that his ancestors are buried beneath Lake Keowee.[11][12]
In his capacity as CEO of the ECSIUT, Nelson has led community programs on Native American history, displaying artifacts, offering to identify items brought by attendees, and appearing in regalia.[11]
State-recognition
South Carolina has designated the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois, and United Tribes of South Carolina as a state-recognized tribe.[4]
South Carolina had previously designated the ECSIUT as a state-recognized group and special interest organization designation under the SC Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100-111) on February 17, 2005.[13]
Membership
The ECSIUT is composed of individuals with diverse characteristics, interests, and behaviors that do not reflect a unified ethnic and cultural heritage.[14] The organization includes Native Americans and people from other ethnic groups, without need for blood relation amongst members.[14] This membership designation differs from that of a state-recognized tribe, where members are part of an assembly of various interrelated families, clans, or generations, and their descendants.[14]
Activities
For 20 years the ESCIUT hosted an annual Native American film festival in Columbia, South Carolina which gave exposure to Indigenous filmmakers.[15]
↑ Joint Council of the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Resolution #00-08. A Resolution Opposing Fabricated Cherokee "Tribes" and "Indians."
↑ Crediford, Gene J. (2009). Those Who Remain: A Photographer's Memior of South Carolina Indians (1sted.). Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press. p.43. ISBN9780817355180.
↑ Purser, April (14 April 2020). "New tribal leader". The Lancaster News. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
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