The Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe

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.

Check out their website here: http://www.haliwa-saponi.com/