A subcommittee of South Carolina's Commission for Minority Affairs has given preliminary approval to five groups seeking state recognition.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the full commission. A final decision is expected in January 2005.

Six groups filed for state recognition. They are: the Chaloklowa Chickasaw, the Waccamaw Indian People, the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina, the Fields Indian Family-Pine Hill Indians, the Pee Dee Indian Nation of Upper South Carolina and the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varner Town Indians.

The five groups that received preliminary approval weren't named.

Get the Story:
Six groups seek recognition as S.C. tribes (AP 11/30)

Relevant Links:
South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs - http://www.state.sc.us/cma

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State recognition expected for South Carolina tribes (11/29)