More Ghosts of Georgetown
Page 13
Many years ago, Chief Martin’s ancestors declined to leave the low country. Instead, they lived in tandem with white society while steadfastly retaining their Indian ways within the privacy of their families. Although Indians are members of a distinct race, census records for many years offered Chicora descendants no recourse other than to be labeled white or black. Chicora families allowed themselves to be listed as white but were careful to teach their children that their heritage was Indian and that their ancestors were the true natives of the land, having lived here before whites or blacks arrived.
Chief Martin has used this knowledge of his heritage as his inspiration. The Chicoras were not even acknowledged by the government when he came on the scene in 1987. Since then, he has taken them to being the only tribe in North America to have a day named in its honor by its state legislature.
Epitomizing the dignity and forthrightness of his ancestors, Chief Martin lives by the following creed: “Whenever I leave my home, I go in search of a friend. That way, I’ll find no enemy.”
May the spirits of the Chicoras that guide the chief be with him always.