“The Yamasee Indians”

The Yamasee (Yamassee) Indian name is not a name commonly heard by those in today’s modern Native American Indigenous forums, but with a little research you will find their story is one that formed some of the most important parts of U.S. History and newly made Indian Nations!

The Yamassee Indians have been described as "the most fierce warriors of all the native tribes encountered". Mostly known for the Yamassee War of 1715 where roughly, 7% of South Carolina's white citizenry was killed, making the war bloodier than King Philip's War, which is often cited as North America's bloodiest war involving Native Americans.  This war and the aftermath of it, is said to be cited as the contributed factor to the emergence of new Indian confederated nations, such as the Muscogee Creek , the Seminoles, & Catawba to name a few.
What is more interesting, to a average historian buff is in the Congressional serial set By United States. Government Printing Office, 57th Congress 1st Session. House of Representatives, Document No. 179 Report of the Industrial Commission on Agriculture and Agricultural labor, Washington Government printing Office year 1901 page. 824 when describing the Yamasee Indians is quoted as stating for fact of record :
“ that the Yamasee Indians were negroes, what were known afterwards as the fiercest of the Indians tribes of the South- the well-known Yamasee Indians were Africans
Now, of course this may come to a surprise to those whom were told all black Indians were either Slaves or freedmen, but when coming from a Congressional record, along with other supported documentation, simply makes it understandable why their existence was reported to be extinct by Scholars.

The Yamassee or Jamassi (also referred to as the Amogarickakan and the Amacarisse and/or the

Amercario) were listed among the nineteen tribes “as being of dark complexion, found widely scattered among the inhabitants of North and South America”.  More specifically, the Carolinas, some of which is now known as Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and parts of Louisiana.
The Yamassee Muskogee Tribe, which is now led by Choobee Mico (Big Chief) Se'khu Hidden Eagle Gentle, says, his people of the Yamasee Indians, have revealed themselves to prove they were never extinct, nor annihilated as certain historical documents would make the claim.
Closer to truth is that the Matriarchs of the Yamasee hid them under other tribal names, to preserve their culture & heritage!  A majority of the history of the Yamassee Tribe, was passed down to Chief Sekhu and his mother,  from their grandmother and great great aunts.  Other Yamassee tribal members can also share in the history of their tribe, which was passed down the ancestrial family lines. Although we have learned to "forgive",  "We Shall Never Forget".
The Yamasee Chief says that because "indigenous Black Indians" have been continously overlooked by the United States officials, now given the proven facts of our Existence and emergence, seek to be recognized by main stream Indigenous forums. Moreover, that such organizations like the B.B.I.A. ( Black Bureau of Indian Affairs) and long-time advocate on behalf of tribes of color, Dr. Angela Molette (Tuscaloosa Ohoya) Black Warrior Woman leader of the 5 Civilized Tribes Legal and Educational Fund based in Oklahoma need to be supported by all organizations who want to make the claim of their “indigenous, Black Indian status".

We must stop looking for acceptance in other places, and just accept ourselves with such organizations as the B.B.I.A.!


http://www.yamasseegov.org
http://www.yamasseenation.org
http://www.yamasseegov.com

More on the Yamasee in a later Edition.