ABOUT THE TUSCARORA BAND OF SIX NATIONS INDIANS

Tuscarora, Skarù∙ręʔ (“People of the Shirt”), is a Iroquoian speaking First Nation in North America. In the 17th century, our Tuscarora ancestors were first encountered by European settlers, when the historic Tuscarora occupied what is now called the State of North Carolina. The Tuscarora was the largest of First Nation in North Carolina during the colonial time period with over 24 Tuscarora Villages and Towns in the traditional territories on the Cape Fear, Pamlico, Neuse, Roanoke, and Tar Rivers living in longhouses on the riversides in their own villages. 

After the Tuscarora War ended, in 1717 the early Tuscarora were granted a reservation in Bertie County, North Carolina. In 1722, our Tuscarora ancestors were officially adopted by the Oneida Nation in New York and joined the Iroquois Confederacy becoming the Six Nations, a democratic government that pre-dates the United States Constitution. Historically, many of our families lived in Canada and New York, while a population remained in North Carolina on Tuscarora lands.

The historical Tuscarora occupied territories throughout the North Carolina, New York, and Canada. The villages were well fortified with wooden stake fences, just one of the many industrious undertakings. The Tuscarora ancestors relied heavily on agriculture for food, growing the Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash, which were known as Deohako,(pronounced: Jo- hay- ko) "the Life Supporters." In addition to raising crops, the early Tuscarora were also subsistence hunters and fishers.

Our Tuscarora ancestors were also highly skilled at warfare and were considered fierce adversaries. But the Tuscarora were also renowned for their sophisticated skills at diplomacy and oratory and their willingness to unite with the other original five nations to form the Iroquois Confederacy.

Today, the Tuscarora Band of Six Nations Indians currently has First Nations Tuscarora Citizens enrolled population who primarily live in North Carolina and New York. The Tuscarora Band of Six Nations Indians' By-Laws and Constitution provides for a multi-branch system of government that is comprised of elected Executive Tuscarora Band Citizens and Tribal Council. We trace of tribal ancestry by the Clan, and also specifically from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Six Nations Tuscarora Chiefs who signed the U.S. Treaties and Tuscarora Land Leases before the state and federal government.

The Tuscarora Band of Indians supports its citizens in the surrounding tribal communities with a variety of cultural, tradition, education guidance, and economic efforts. Tuscarora culture and traditional values remain strong and intact. Language, song, art, dance, and sports are all vital aspects of the Tuscarora Band of Six Nations Indians' culture.