VGCC celebrates local Native American heritage


From left, Haliwa-Saponi dancers Satarah Lewis and Teoikey Richardson, both of Hollister, perform during VGCC’s Native American Appreciation event. (VGCC photo)

From left, Haliwa-Saponi dancers Satarah Lewis and Teoikey Richardson, both of Hollister, perform during VGCC’s Native American Appreciation event. (VGCC photo)

Vance-Granville Community College held a “Native American Appreciation Day” in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus on Nov. 18, during the national celebration of Native American Heritage Month.

Students from the Cosmetology programs on the college’s Main Campus, South Campus and Franklin County Campus helped to organize the event, which was supported by the VGCC Student Government Association. Students served American Indian food samples and presented displays of information and cultural artifacts, focusing particularly on the local Haliwa-Saponi culture. The head of VGCC’s Cosmetology program, Tomeka Moss, is herself a member of the tribe.

The highlight of the event was a performance by dancers and drummers from the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. Among the dancers was Satarah Lewis of Hollister, who holds the title “Miss NCNAYO” (N.C. Native American Youth Organization) for 2013. Sharon H. Berrun, the Haliwa-Saponi tribe’s youth services director, educated attendees about the tribe’s history and described the meaning and significance of the traditional dances being presented. She explained that the name “Haliwa” is derived from the first letters of the two counties, Halifax and Warren, where most of the tribe members live. Tribal elders chose to add the word to their traditional name, Saponi. Berrun said that the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, officially recognized by the state of North Carolina since 1965, currently boasts more than 4,000 enrolled members, making the group the state’s third-largest tribe.