The Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe Permanent Monument

The Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe Monument

 

I am a Social Studies school teacher in Columbia, South Carolina. When I received a School District email message in November stating that it was Native American Heritage Month, I wanted to do something. I informed my students, and they were eager to participate.

I contacted numerous tribes in S.C. by telephone and email but received no reply. I then told myself that the first tribe I begin communication with is the tribe that I will work with. The Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe was the first.

The Tribe has lived in the South Carolina Low Country area since the 1500s. Where they lived amongst the Cherokee, they are recognized by South Carolina and working on Federal recognition. Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham are advocating for their Federal recognition.

They have approximately 1,500 members with 700 enrolled and growing. They are tied closely with the community and assist locals in need.

As I began communicating with the Tribe, I was invited to their Christmas Party and then their Tribal meeting in January, where I spoke. Here I expressed my interest in doing a type of appreciation for their Heritage. They were all so welcoming and grateful.

A few minutes before I departed the meeting, I received a note which read, “They want a historic monument designation; it would be visual, lasting and permanent. Cost: about $3,000… you can do it, a dime at a time.”

At first, I told myself that this was too much, but I decided to try it. I explained the cost to my students, and they unanimously agreed. Sadly, because of School District regulations, I couldn’t fundraise with my students, and this is why I have come to you and GoFundMe.

The tribe will be having their annual Pow Wow April 22-23; it would make such a joy for them to receive these funds in time for their celebration.

 

Sincerely,

Marcel Lapierre

 

• New Goal $1,600

• For the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe (Native American)

• For a Historic Monument Designation, visual, lasting and permanent

• The wish is to have the funds before April 22, 2022 (First night of their Pow Wow)
**Update: The Walterboro Adult and Pediatric Medicine Company has come forward and said they would match our donation, therefore we have adjusted our goal to $1600.

 

If there were ever a cause I believed in, it would be this one.

 

https://www.facebook.com/natchezkussotribe/

 

www.sciway.net/hist/indians/kusso_natchez.html

 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&ei=UTF-8&p=edisto+natchez+kusso+tribe+of+south+carolina#id=3&vid=969784714dd4fe827ef9c71bd4f3299f&action=click

 

Myself with Chief Creel, MD

 

Myself with Chief Creel, MD and Tribal Leaders; Sabrina Grey Wolf seated front right