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By Katrina A. Goggins
Columbia, South Carolina (AP) 7-08
South Carolina Native American chiefs say a bill signed July 15 that allows them to perform legally recognized marriage ceremonies is an essential step toward tribal self-governance.
About 50 American Indians from several tribes, many in traditional clothing, joined South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford at the signing ceremony July 15.
The bill allows chiefs and spiritual leaders to perform marriage ceremonies and sign marriage licenses. The governor also signed another bill that lifts restrictions on wild turkey feathers, which are used in traditional clothing and crafts.
“It’s giving our heritage back to us and some of our traditions,” said Gene Norris, chief of the state-recognized Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina.
Norris was one of the first to marry a couple when the bill became law July 16. Now, he says there’s a list of couples waiting for him to marry them.
Leaders of other tribes said they haven’t seen a slew of couples lining up to get married, but that the bill is still significant.
“Long ago ... our people ran their own tribes as a government where we could marry people to try to keep tradition of our own culture, of our own people alive,” Beaver Creek Indian chief Louis Chavis said. “I’m not sure people are going to beat the doors down to want to get married. However, it will be another great door opening to us.”
The new law adds chiefs to the list of officials who can sign marriage licenses, which includes notaries, priests and rabbis. Some chiefs and spiritual leaders were notaries but previously could not be recognized as chiefs on the marriage license.
Both bills were requested because they grant “freedom” to tribes, said Pete Parr, Pee Dee Indian Tribe council member.
“It’s the freedom to be us. To be who we are – Indians,” he said.
Sanford said the bills are about celebrating the “original Americans” and diversity.
“The places that are willing to accept different opinions, different perspectives, different ways of doing things in fact happen to be the places that thrive the most,” Sanford said.
The crowd at the statehouse included members of several tribes. Beaver skin and turkey feathers adorned the heads of some tribal leaders, while some women wore earth-toned dresses accessorized with intricately woven and beaded bracelets and necklaces – even a turtle-shell purse.
Many American Indians in South Carolina used fake turkey feathers before the new law.
“We’re probably the only people – the only people – who have a need for feathers,” said Chavis of the Beaver Creek Indians. “Most people wouldn’t be caught dead in it, but for our people, this is kind of a statement of who we are.”
A bill to prevent groups from calling themselves tribes without state recognition died in the General Assembly, but the State Office of Minority Affairs expects approval next year.
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