CATAWBA HISTORY
In 1540, the Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, was the first European to have contact with the Catawba Indians. Twenty-six years later, Juan Pardo followed in his footsteps. Both wore out their welcome among in the Piedmont Indians. The name Catawba was designated to a small tribe living along the Catawba River between North and South Carolina. However, the origin and meaning is unknown as the Indians called themselves yeh is-WAH h'reh, meaning "people of the river," or i-yeh yeh meaning "people."
Trade in the late 17th century had a major impact on the Catawba society. The Catawba traded deerskins to the Europeans for trade goods such as muskets, knives, kettles and cloth. The Catawba villages became a major hub in the trade system with the Virginia traders and the Carolina traders. Settlers began to move into the Piedmont during the 18th century and bringing disease with them. In 1759, smallpox swept through the Catawba villages for a fourth time in a century bringing the population to less than 1,000 by 1760. Colonists believed the tribe was dying out.
In 1840 during the Removal Period, South Carolina negotiated a treaty with the Catawbas at Nations Ford. The treaty stipulated that the Catawbas relinquish to the State of South Carolina their 144,000 acres of land. In return, South Carolina promised to pay the Catawbas $5,000 to buy land elsewhere in a place of their choosing or, if that was not possible, they would give the Catawbas $5,000 cash. In addition, the State promised to give the tribe $2,500 in cash if they left their homeland and $1,500 annually for five years. Other tribes who had moved west did not want the Catawbas because they would have to share land, government money, and services. Joining the Cherokees did not work. The two tribes could not get along. In effect, the Catawbas had no home. By 1847, South Carolina Governor David Johnson said, "They are, in effect, dissolved." However, that was not the end of the Catawbas.
Catawbas served in the Revolution, the Civil War, WWI and II. They have always been fierce warriors. After termination in 1959, they determined to fight another battle...that to regain federal recognition. In 1973, the Catawbas filed their petition with Congress for federal recognition. It was not until 20 years later, November 20, 1993, that the land claim settlement with the state of South Carolina and the federal government finally came to an end. Based on the Treaty of Nation Ford of 1840, the Catawbas agreed to give up claims on land taken from them by the state of South Carolina. In return, the Catawba Indian Nation received federal recognition and $50 million for economic development, education, social services, and land purchases.