The
Haliwa-Saponi reside primarily in Halifax, Warren and adjoining Counties in
North Carolina. The majority of the 3,800 enrolled members live in a
community known as “The Meadows”. This tribal community was established in
the mid 1700’s.
The
Haliwa-Saponi trace their ancestry to the Saponi and Nansemond
Indians. Bands and families of other allied tribes merged with the
Saponi and Nansemond during the Colonial period.
The Haliwa-Saponi tribe spent the late 1800’s fighting for separate
schools. In 1882 Bethlehem School was established. The school was state
supported and 98% Indian. However, in 1957 the tribe was successful in
obtaining its own school. The Haliwa Indian School was established and the
first year had enrollment of more than 200. This school, established
exclusively for the Haliwa-Saponi Indians, was the only non-reservation,
tribally supported Indian School in North Carolina. In 1959 it became part
of the Warren County Board of Education and in 1969 was closed to
desegregation.
The Haliwa-Saponi have always been conscious of retaining their Indian
culture. The tribe’s annual Powwow has been rated one of the largest in the
state. It is the biggest single homecoming event for the tribe, but it is
even more important as a political and social event. Tribal members are
brought into contact with leaders of other tribes. Over the years members
of tribes throughout the United States and Canada have participated in the Haliwa-Saponi
Powwow.
The Tribe was recognized by the State of NC in 1965. The Tribe is governed
by the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Council. Since 1979, the tribe has sought
federal recognition through the
federal acknowledgement process.
