06/19/2025
The Waxhaw People: The Land’s First Inhabitants
Long before European settlers arrived, the Waxhaw people—a Siouan-speaking Native American tribe—lived in the lands that now bear their name. Known for their distinctive cultural practices and close connection to the land, the Waxhaw inhabited the region along the border of present-day North and South Carolina.
The modern town of Waxhaw honors their legacy, though the tribe was profoundly affected by European colonization, disease, and conflict. Today, we remember and recognize the Waxhaw as the original stewards of this land.
