Welcome
to the New Official Tribal web site of the Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe. Our name translated from Cherokee means
Near River Dwellers. This name is based on the fact that our people have
been living on the rivers of Virginia, North Carolina,and South Carolina, Georgia for well over 400 years. The existence
of our people can be documented before first contact to the present time.
As to tribal
status, the Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe is not federally recognized by the BIA
and may choose not to pursue this path. We have applied for recognition by the North Carolina Department of Indian Affairs
and are undergoing the long process involved in that pursuit. However, we are recognized by Proclamation from the
Governor of North Carolina dating our people to 1752 and before. We were also under treaty with King George executed
in 1721 and reported by the King to be the First Government and the first people to enter into a treaty with
the Crown in the New World. Our ancest0rs were the founders of what is now the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band
of the Cherokee and the Snow Bird.
Several Colleges have established digs and carried out research on
land that belonged to our ancestors and on the river on which our people lived. Wake Forest University carbon
dates existence to 15,000 years ago and North Carolina University approximates this same time period. Surviving structures
of interest to the University of North Carolina are the fish traps in the Yadkin River (Atkin) that were placed
there by our people many years ago. The fish traps are built in solid bedrock and are as functional today as they
were in the past simply by placing a net in the traps.
The Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe welcomes interest
in Citizenship, but those seeking monetary gain by entry into our tribe do not be misled. It is true the Eastern
Band of the Cherokee dispense yearly payments, but the money is generated internally by the tribe from the tribal-owned casino. The
only benefits the Cherokee Nation provides are medical benefits. Any benifits gained through the Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe
will be based on what the tribe builds for it's Citizens and the Tribe as a whole.
Many of
our legends and much of our history tell us that in the 1600's our people moved into the area that is now know as North
Carolina. During and, infact, preceding this movement, our ancestors intermingled with and were part of the Saura
Nation; and, through inter-marriage with the Saura and other tribes in the area that had achieved some degree of assimilation,
movement by our People into white society was augmented.
You may learn more about the origins
of the Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe in our History section. The Proclamation
received from the Governor of North Carolina for our Pow Wow designated Second week end in July as Native
American Weekend in North Carolina and our Pow Wow as the major event which also dates our tribe to 1753 and
before.
Near River Dwellers
Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe
Cherokee Nation
Click Seal to Visit CNO
2009, 2010, 2011 The Govenors Proclamation issued on proclaiming Strong Sun Pow Wow as Native
American Week End in North Carolina We have also received Proclamations from the mayor's of Winston-Salem, Clemmons
and Yadknville.
Click Pic. to Visit Website
Special Appearances at: The Strong Sun Pow Wow 2012 and the Painted Mountain Pow Wow