The P*e Dee Indian Tribe (PDIT) is a small American Indian tribe located along the P*e Dee River within northeastern South Carolina's P*e Dee region. While today the tribe consists of less than 150 enrolled P*e Dee, the tribe was once a profound cultural and political power in the region. In fact, the cultural & political significance of the P*e Dee people to the area is why Europeans named the P*
e Dee River & the P*e Dee region of South Carolina after the tribe. The tribal government's offices are located on land awarded to the tribe in Marlboro County, South Carolina. Marlboro County has served as the tribe's official seat of government since 1976. The tribal government's current constitution was adopted in 1976, & for more than 40 years has provided the tribal government with the ability to address some of the immense challenges faced by the P*e Dee people. The tribal government strives to empower the P*e Dee people through the continued practice of cultural traditions, economic development efforts centered around strategic business & community partnerships, as well as advocacy work aimed at educating public makers regarding both national & regional American Indian issues. Though centuries of oppression, slavery, disease and discrimination have significantly reduced the tribe's population and influence, recent efforts by the tribal government to once again establish the P*e Dee as a power in the region have proven fruitful. Expansion of the tribe's land, as well as additional federal, state & tribal government services are two of the many ways in which the tribal government has successfully worked toward achieving this goal. PDIT is a proud member of the National Congress of American Indians. PDIT is also a member of the South Carolina Native American Affairs Commission which operates under the Government of South Carolina's Commission for Minority Affairs. Additionally, PDIT is an active member of numerous national & regional American Indian advocacy organizations & rights groups. Farming has always been an extremely important aspect of P*e Dee existence & culture. Due to the significant & deeply sacred position that land & nature continue to hold within P*e Dee culture & society, most P*e Dee live predominantly rural lives that are heavily intertwined within the local agriculture-based economy & community. However, in response to an ever evolving world many P*e Dee have successfully sought economic & career opportunities that fall outside of the tribe’s traditional agrarian roots. Apart from attending secondary educational institutions, today many P*e Dee proudly contribute to the local community as educators, law enforcement officers, nurses, artists & small business owners. Frequent cultural, religious & administrative tribal events have allowed newer generations of P*e Dee to remain connected to their P*e Dee identity & culture, while simultaneously allowing them to pursue a vast array of exciting & new opportunities. Competing in stickball & chunkey, observing Busk, as well as storytelling, dancing, beading & cooking are just a few of the many cultural traditions continually practiced for generations by the P*e Dee people. PDIT recently initiated the P*e Dee Language Revitalization Program (PDLRP) aimed at teaching the P*e Dee language to all P*e Dee who wish to learn. Additionally, the tribe began work on the P*e Dee Tribal Mounds in late 2017. Once completed, the P*e Dee Tribal Mounds will become the cultural, societal & spiritual mecca of the P*e Dee people. In 2020, through a partnership with the National Congress of American Indians, the PDIT tribal government began two initiatives aimed at empowering the P*e Dee people. Multiple tribal events were held that focused on ensuring that all tribal members were counted during the 2020 US Federal Census. Additionally, a campaign was launched by the PDIT tribal government to achieve the goal of 100% voter registration for all eligible P*e Dee. The PDIT tribal government voted to create the Tribal Development Department in 2020 to increase the tribe's ability to seek funding opportunities through grants, programs, charitable giving, donations and fundraising. If you are interested in contributing to the tribe or would like to discuss other opportunities, please contact the Development Department below.
