Established in August of 2012, this comprehensive center for the study of South Carolina’s Native American peoples, their histories, and their cultures offers visitors the opportunity to view the single largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery in existence; study primary and secondary texts on Native Americans in the Southeast; participate in educational classes and programs; and observe archaeology, language, and folklore and oral history labs.
Since 2005, we've been developing curriculum and public programs that educate the public about Native American art and culture, with an emphasis on the Catawba and other Native communities in South Carolina. Students at USC Lancaster and visitors to our Center can learn about art, American Indian literature and culture, Native American archaeology, folklore, anthropology, and oral traditions. Plans are underway to offer additional Native American literature courses, a course in Native American language, and additional courses taught through Palmetto College.
The mission of USC Lancaster Native American Studies is to promote the documentation, preservation, appreciation, and study of Native American cultures and heritages. This mission is aided by courses and curricula, research projects, archival resources, exhibits, publications, and other public and educational programs and materials developed by USCL faculty and staff. The Center works to dispel any stereotypes or existing misconceptions regarding Native Americans, their cultures, life ways, and languages.
A collaboration between the Center's Archive, the USC University Libraries Digital Collections, and the USC Institute for Southern Studies, NASCA provides resources for studying Native American culture and highlights the important role Native South Carolinians have played in our state's history.
Special Collections holds scholarly collections for Native American Studies featuring Indigenous artists, artwork, regalia, and the largest institutional collection of Catawba Indian pottery, as well as USCL’s Art Collections, highlighting local and regional artists with works of fine art, folk art, fiber art, photography, and more. Learn more about our current and online exhibits here.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information from the Center! Read the current Native American Studies Quarterly newsletter and see the schedules for upcoming events, including our monthly Lunch and Learn series.
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