McCOLL — The grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Pee Dee Indian Tribe Education Cultural Center on April 10 is just the beginning.
“We are trying to do what we do as Indians, we are trying to save the land,” said Chief Pete Parr. “Our land and our woods are very important to us.
The center, located at 445 Williams Street, was the first of three phases. In the first phase is the building which will be used for various classes. 
Members have planted a garden behind to plant the three sisters –corn, beans, and squash.
Michael Dunn, tribal cultural director, said they received a grant to start the Three Sisters Project.
The corn was planted first and when it is four leaves high, they will plant the beans around the bottom. As the beans grow, they will come up the stalk of the corn.
Dunn said after they are well established, they will plant the squash at the bottom.
“The squash shades up the land and keeps it moist and keeps the grass away.
The building will be used to teach language, beadwork, baskets, and pottery.
“Anything that will enrich the culture of our community and our tribe,” he said.
Phase two will include a living village with wigwams, ball fields and the garden.
Behind the village will be Phase three with an area in the wetlands with a boardwalk, platform camping, and possibly kayaking.
“We want to establish all of this and build up tourism in McColl and the Pee Indian Tribe.”
Dunn said they need more land and noted 26 acres were available.
“We need to get that in any way possible,” he said.
Danna Smith, executive director of the Dogwood Alliance, thanked the tribe for showing such leadership during this critical moment of planetary crisis.
“Our destruction of nature has reached a point that we are out of balance with nature,” she said. We have forgotten that humans depend on nature to survive.”
She added the Pee Dee Indians are showing a different economic model.
“They are showing how the land can be valued.
Rodney Berry, who is Congressman Tom Rice’s economic development director, applauded the tribe’s passion.
Rice is working with the tribe to help them gain federal recognition with Berry noting the process is long.
“The effort will be put forth from our office,” Berry said. “Congressman Rice believes in this.”
Johnny Merck, on the board of directors for the South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission and director of special events, said the Pee Dee Indians have become a special event. 
Tom Count, also with the South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission said he is inspired by what the tribe is doing.
“It is just amazing to see what they are doing here,” he said.
Rep. Pat Henegan shared some of the accomplishments of the tribe. She pointed out that the building will be used.
Henegan shared a resolution that was presented in the state House of Representatives on March 11 “to memorialize the United States Congress to assist the Pee Dee Indian Tribe in achieving federal recognition and grant them all rights and privileges that are granted nationally recognized Native American tribes.”
She noted that Rice on March 16 introduced the Pee Dee Indian Acknowledgment Act.
“You have our support,” Henegan said. “We want to do everything we possibly can to make sure you get your federal recognition.”
An exhibition of social dances such as Dance Stomp, Alligator, and Four Corners Dance was performed.
Awards were presented to:
— Vice Chief Curtis White who died in 2020 was honored. His wife, Irene, accepted the award.
—Treasurer Marie Lovett who died in 2020 was honored. Her husband, Bobby Lovett accepted the award.
—Johnny Merck and Tom County
—Rodney Berry
—Rep. Pat Henegan
—Tribal members Michael Jones and Robert Thompson.

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