Understanding the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Seal

 

1) 1953- This is the year the tribe reorganized and adopted its current governance structure.

 

2) 1965- This is the year the bill was ratified by the N.C. General Assembly, giving the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe state recognition.

 

3) Haliwa-Saponi Tribe- The word Haliwa comes from the two counties, Halifax and Warren, which are the two counties in which the majority of the population of the tribal people live. Saponi means "Red Earth People"-one of the original ancestral tribes from which the people descended.

 

4) Tobacco- Tobacco is used socially, smoked with friends as a greeting and given as a special gift. It is also used in ceremonies and prayers for unity and agreement.

 

5) Clouds & Rain- The clouds, home of the Creator, to whom we pray for rain, to bring life from the corn and tobacco and all living things.

 

6) Corn- Corn is given as a gift from the Creator and is a main staple of our diet.

 

7) Black Snake- The Black snake, common to the area is a symbol of medicine and power. It is often left in barns to keep out rodents and to protect the harvest in storage there.

Webpage best viewed in Microsoft's Internet Explorer at 800 X 600 resolution.