State Recognition Ceremony – Tribe will be formally recognized if State recognition is received on Thursday November 5, 2009. Events start at 12 PM and conclude at 8 PM. See article in newletter for details. Call 364-7041 if you would like to attend.
Native American State Conference – November 5 - 7, 2009. Includes workshops, exhibits, and will include the Native American Film Festival.
SALKEHATCHIE SUMMER SERVICE PROGRAM
The United Methodist Church summer youth program is working on three homes in our community. The community held a Thank You pot luck for the workers on Wednesday, July 23rd. Thank you to all who supported. Click the link on the side "Our Community" to learn more about this program!
July 6, 2009 – All nominations are due for upcoming tribal elections. Nominations are accepted by mail or by email. Please remember that potential candidates must be active tribal members and must meet qualifications for nomination as outlined in the tribal by-laws: All nominees must currently be an active member of the tribe. An active member is defined as a member who has volunteered and participated in all tribal meetings and events held during the previous 12 months. (Exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis).
July 6, 2009 – Our State Recognition Package to upgrade from Group Status to Tribal Status will be reviewed. We encourage all tribal members who can make it to attend the review in Columbia at the Commission for Minority Affairs. If you would like directions, please contact Lisa Leach at 364-7041.
July 11, 2009 – Health Care Assistance Sessions from starting at 10 Am at the Tribal Office. Please see Article in this newsletter regarding how these sessions can help you. We strongly encourage tribal members to set up a session to ensure they get resources available to them. Also, the current Executive Board will meet with all potential nominees for the upcoming election. A letter will be sent to these nominees letting them know of the meeting timeframe.
July 16-24, 2009: United Methodist Church will be working within the community helping repair up to 4 homes. Please see Article in this newsletter outlining the details of this program. A tribal pot luck dinner will be held for us to thank the volunteers for their help in improving our community. Please support!
July 25, 2009 – Tribal elections will be held at the tribal office from 10 AM – 3:30 PM. Please remember that you will need to bring your picture Tribal Card to be eligible to vote.
July 26, 2009 - Community Pot Luck Dinner at 2 PM at the Community Center (located at the beginning of Benjamin Drive). All community members invited to the dinner.Bring a Covered Dish
Tribal Election Details:
Nominations for Tribal Positions Due by July 6th. Only qualified nominations will be accepted. Please send a letter to the tribal office or email us at wassamasaw@hotmail.com. Please see rules and regulations regarding Tribal Elections below:
From the Articles of Incorporation:
Article IV: Section 2: Nominations, elections, terms of office, and duties are as outlined in the bylaws. There will be no absentee or proxy voting.
Constitution:
Article V-Operations:
1. Voting Eligibility: Those members meeting all requirements of active membership as set forth in Article III as well as the Tribal bylaws will be granted voting privileges.
2. Election Process: All officers shall be elected by a 2/3 majority vote of eligibil voting members in attendance at elections of "The Wassamasaw Tribe." Election of the executive Board will be held on a 4 year basis during the month of July. Elections will take place at a regular monthly meeting of the Executive Board and will be designated at least three weeks in advance as a meeting at which elections will be held.
The Executive Board will take eligible nominations of active members from the membership to be placed on the ballot prior to Election Day. The nomination process will follow as set out in bylaws and must be closed and the movement seconded. The nominated parties will be allowed to vote.
All voting shall be done by secret ballot to be collected and tabulated by the Secretary and one additional voting member of the Executive Board.
Bylaws:
Tribal Infrastructure: 6: All tribal offices are 4 year terms and each Executive Board position must be filled by an announced election.
12. Spouses can participate in all tribal activities, but cannot vote or obtain a tribal membership card. (non-bloodline spouses).
Executive Board: 4: Spouses cannot serve together on the Executive Board during the same term.
Tribal Elections: 1: Tribal elections are held every four years to elect members into tribal Executive Board positions.
2: Tribal elections will be held in July of the appointed years for tribal council positions and the positions of Administrative Officer and Spiritual Leader.
3: All nominations for election must be a tribal member, and must accept the nomination.
4: All nominees for election will be placed on the tribal ballot to be voted on by the tribe.
5: All nominees must currently be an active member of the tribe.
6: An active member is defined as a member who has volunteered and participated in all tribal meetings and events held during the previous 12 months. (Exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.)
7: Once all tribal election nominations are received, the nominees will be notified to meet with the tribal council prior to being placed on the election ballot. This meeting will be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance and all nominees notified by mail.
8. Nominees who fail to meet with the tribal council at the designated meeting times will not be placed on the election ballot.
9. To have and official election, the tribal membership should be given a three(3) week notification of where and when to meet.
10. Once the vote is made, the ballots will be counted and announced at the end of the tribal meeting.
Verification of Tribal Status - Letters from Commission for Minority Affairs
The state board has approved our Recognition Package for Tribal Status and we are now in the verification phase. Many tribal members will be receiving letters from the CMA that need to be notorized. Please meet us at the Tribal Office (131 Benjamin Drive, Moncks Corner) at 10:AM Saturday August 29, 2009 in order to ensure your form is filled out correctly and to get it notorized for free. All members are asked to attend to sign forms regarding their status as a Tribal Members. If you did not recieve one in the mail, copies will be available at the meeting. CMA must recieve back 100 notorized letters in order for us to pass the verification process. We will be collecting the forms and hand delivering them to the CMA on August 31, 2009.Recent Healthcare Forum
The Center for Disability Resources @ USC School of Medicine – Ms.Karen Irick and members from the Charleston Social Security Administration held one-on-one help sessions for the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians on Saturday, July 11, 2009 to ensure anyone who needed additional help to cover medication, healthcare costs, etc. were given resource assistance in which they qualified for. We thank all those tribal members who participated.
Karen can work with people on medicare or disability to ensure they have the right/best coverage, people who need general or additional healthcare assistance for medications, as well as people who are self employed without insurance to help to get you medical benefits and medications that you need. Anyone who would like to ensure they are getting the best coverage through Medicare, anyone who needs help to get help with medications, and anyone who would like to find resources to assist with medical needs not covered by Medicare are still encouraged to reach out to the Tribal Executive Board so you can be assisted via resources the Tribal government has been put into contact with. You can call Tribal Council member Loretta Leach at 843-509-4685. Or you can email the tribe at wassamasaw@hotmail.com. We encourage all tribal members, especially the elders, to take advantage of this help that is being provided to our tribal members
Native American Survey Readout for Healthcare by the SC Commission of Minority Affairs - Marcy Hayden
Native American Disabilities Forum - The Center for Disabilities Resources USC School of Medicine - Karen Irick will also held a Forum for People on Medicare or Disability as well as People who are self employed without insurance to help to get you medical benefits and medications that you need.
She can help ensure proper coverage through medicare, medications for those who need it, help find resources to assist with needs not covered by medicare.
Saturday - April 4, 2009
Ridge Baptist Church - 2168 Ridge Church Road, Summerville SC
2008 Elders Speak Dinner
Friday - 12/12 at 6:30 PM
At the Tribal Office (131 Benjamin Drive)
Ages 55+ Invited to Participate in Documenting Our History
Meal Includes: Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, and Sweet Tea
2008 Elders Speak Dinner
Friday - 10/10 at 6:30 PM
At the Tribal Office (131 Benjamin Drive)
Ages 55+ Invited to Participate in Documenting Our History
Meal Includes: Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, and Sweet Tea
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2008 Fundraiser - Poker Run
2008 Native American Heritage Month Banquet
November 8th, 2008 at the Moncks Corner Train Depot
Dinner was provided at this event.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 - Veteran's Day Parade
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2008 American Indian Expo - Entrance and Health Screenings are Free
DATE: July 26, 2008
LOCATION: Ridge Baptist Church
FROM: 9 AM - 5 PM
Highlights:
The SC CMA surveyed to determine what resources are needed most by the Varnertown Community
Santee and Edisto Tribes were also invited to participate in this event
Anyone of Native American Descent 12 and older were able to to take this survey
Hamburgers and Hotdogs, drinks, and chips were provided
2008 Clark Family Reunion
DATE: August 9, 2008
TIME: 1 PM
LOCATION: Full Gospel Mission Church - Cross SC
Highlights:
- Reunion Held by Floyd and Mary Clark
- The SC Minority Affairs Commission attended this event as a back-up for those unable to attend the previously scheduled Needs Assessment Survey
American Indian Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Business Expo
LOCATION: Embassy Suites, Columbia SC
Highlights:
- This event is held each year to facilitate small native businesses to network with corporations such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Lockheed Martin, Michelin North America, Georgia Power, and Volvo.
- Tribal Board members attended this event.
- Also in attendance were state government offices with information for small minority businesses and what individuals needed to start their own businesses.
Native American Studies Week
LOCATION: USC Lancaster
Highlights:
- Lisa Leach attended the meeting on Wednesday April 23rd to discuss Native American curricula in South Carolina.
- This was a round table discussion with native leaders of the state in efforts to obtain native input regarding what is taught about native history and culture of this state and how it is presented.
- USC Lancaster will be working closely with native communities in the state in this effort in the hopes of offering programs and resources.
Strategic Planning Workshop
LOCATION: Hilton Hotel in Columbia, SC
Highlights:
- CMA hosted the Falmouth Institute to teach tribal persons how to develop an effective strategic plan to meet the goals and objectives of the different tribes.
- CMA offered a free seat to each tribal entity in the state, which we accepted and attended, in a first step effort to prepare for the upcoming needs assessment initiative.
American Indian Women's Conference
LOCATION: University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Lumberton NC
Highlights:
- The goal of this event was to build working relationships with tribes and organizations as we seek healthier lives for our families and communities that celebrate and embrace American Indian values, beliefs, and ways of life.
- Keynote speakers included Dr. June S. Atkinson, North Carolina State School Superintendent; Dr. Clara Sue Kidwell (White Earth Chippewa), Director of the American Indian Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; LaDonna Harris (Comanche), President of Americans for Indian Opportunity; Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert (Hopi), President of the National Indian Education Association; Mary Kim Titla (San Carlos Apache), former Arizona TV news reporter and Democratic candidate for Arizona's 1st Congressional District; and Dr. Helen Maynor Scheirbeck (Lumbee), a recent retiree from the National Museum of the American Indian.
- 2009 Conference is scheduled for September 24-25, 2009 at UNC Pembroke.
Native American Gospel Sing
TIME: 11:00 AM - 6 PM
LOCATION: Charleston Southern University, Lightsey Chapel
Highlights:
- This was a state-wide event with participation from all multiple tribes
- Singing took place starting at 11 AM, and covered all genres, from drumming, to gospel, to native chants
- Thanks to all Wassamasaw Tribal members who participated in this historical event
- CDs of the performance will be available
2nd Annual Community Homecoming Picnic
TIME: 10:00 AM - 3 PM
LOCATION: Santee Canal State Park
Highlights:
- Fish Fry
- Kid Games and Activities
- Family Genealogy Displays
- Pictorial History of the Community
- New Tribal Cards were available for pickup at the picnic, if your headshot was taken/emailed to us
- We took additional headshots at the picnic, to create cards for those who attended
Native American Bead Class
TIME: 10:00 AM - 1 PM
LOCATION: 131 Benjamin Drive
Highlights:
- The Tribe sponsored an introductory beading class for interested members of the community.
- We taught the fundamentals of the art and focused the 1s class on appliqué beading
Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser
TIME: 10:30 AM - 2 PM
LOCATION: 131 Benjamin Drive
Highlights:
- The Tribe sold Fried Chicken Dinners as a part of it’s 2007 Fundraiser Events.
- The menu consisted of the following: 2 Piece Fried Chicken (choice of white or dark meat), Corn Bread, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, and Dessert
- The dinners were sold for $7.00 and orders were ready for pick-up from 131 Benjamin Drive between 10:30 AM and 2 PM on July 14th.
- We raised over $300.00 from this event
AICCSC Business Expo
LOCATION: Sheraton Hotel, North Charleston
Highlights:
- This event was scheduled by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce
- This event was aimed to help Native American owned companies network with larger corporate sponsors
DATE: May 26, 2007
TIME: 7:00 AM—7:00 PM
LOCATION: Williams Family Cemetery
Highlights:
- The Tribal Council and Executive Board designated the clean up the Williams Family Cemetery as this year’s Community Project.
- Thank you to all volunteers who came throughout the week to cleanup the grave yard!
Native American Dance Class
TIME: 10:00 AM - 2 PM
LOCATION: 131 Benjamin Drive
Highlights:
- Dr Goings demonstrated several different kinds of native dance, from Fancy Dancing, Shawl Dancing, and Traditional Men's and Women's Dances
- The main participants were the youths and teenagers who seemed to very much enjoy learning the basic dance steps
4th Annual Wassamasaw Tribal Banquet
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Knights of Columbus Lodge, Summerville, SC
Highlights:
- The 2006 banquet focused on opportunities for small businesses, as well as partnering within our community
- Keynote Speaker was Dr. Will Goins
- The Edisto Drummers performed
9th Annual Native American Film Festival
DATE: November 4-7th, 2006
LOCATION: Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main Street Columbia, SC 29201
Highlights:
- Three and one-half days of films and videos by Native Americans and international Native Peoples in callaboration with the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of SC
- The Native American Film Festival was funded by the Nord Family Foundation
Community Homecoming Picnic
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 2006
TIME: 1:00 PM—5:00 PM
LOCATION: Wannamaker Park (Cottonwood Shelter), North Charleston SC
Highlights:
- Barbeque Dinner
- Kid Games and Activities
- Family Geneology Displays
- Pictorial History of the Community
SC Native American Conference: Mending the Circle
DATE: Friday, November 18, 2005
TIME: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Columbia Conference Center, Columbia SC
Highlights:
- Workshops on the following topics: Healthcare; Mental Health/Substance Abuse; Community and Economic Development; Outreach and Communications; Cultural and Spiritual Survival; and Education
- Guest Speakers: Gerald Ice, Bill Miller, and Robert Waldrep
- Honor Circle Acknowledging State Recognition for the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians and four other tribes in SC