Greenville Water Honors Cherokee Heritage with New Statue

News Summary

The city of Greenville has unveiled the ‘Water Blessing’ statue, created to honor the Cherokee ‘going to water’ ceremony. While the statue is a step towards recognizing Indigenous roots, it highlights the city’s need for greater acknowledgment of its Native American history compared to nearby counties. As locals reflect on Greenville’s early interactions with Native tribes, community initiatives aim to educate about the region’s rich Indigenous heritage and the importance of water sources like the Keowee watershed.

Greenville Water Celebrates Cherokee Heritage with the “Water Blessing” Statue

In an inspiring move to connect with its roots, the vibrant city of Greenville has commissioned the beautiful “Water Blessing” statue, which aims to honor the traditional Cherokee “going to water” ceremony. Unveiled back in 2017, this stunning piece of art finds its home at the southwest corner of Butler Avenue and West Washington Street. But while this statue serves as a lovely tribute, it sheds light on a more extensive narrative about Greenville’s limited historical acknowledgment of its Indigenous roots.

Reflecting on Native History

For centuries before European settlers marked their territory, Native tribes, particularly the Cherokee and Catawba, thrived on the lands of Greenville. However, when we compare Greenville’s recognition of its Indigenous heritage to its neighboring counties like Pickens, Spartanburg, and Oconee, it is clear there’s a gap. Other regions have embraced Native names for rivers and roads, while Greenville’s landscape seems to have missed this enriching opportunity.

According to prevailing sentiment from local historians, Greenville County has been criticized for its lack of preservation of significant historical landmarks and markers. Many people are unaware that various Cherokee tribes inhabited present-day downtown Greenville at different periods while also calling the nearby Oconee and Pickens counties their home.

The Early Settler and the Aftermath

The story of Greenville’s early days is also interwoven with the tale of Richard Pearis, a British settler who found himself entangled in the tapestry of Cherokee life. Marrying a Cherokee woman gave him insight and influence—but he ultimately exploited land ownership treaties to profit from his newfound environment. During the 1750s, Pearis established a plantation and mill along the Reedy River, managing to work around colonization laws at that time.

Interestingly enough, much of Pearis’ land was acquired in the name of his half-Cherokee son, George. The aftermath of the Revolutionary War marked a significant turning point for the Cherokee, as they lost nearly all of their land following the Treaty of 1777 and successive agreements. This led to division of land among patriots, paving the way for the establishment of what was initially named Pleasantburgh—later rebranded as Greenville in 1812.

Local Landmarks and Their Names

The area is home to the Reedy River and Great Cane Brake rivers, named after a native bamboo species—an interesting nod to the region’s natural history. Unfortunately, despite having historical markers to honor some of these vital local features, only a few have seeped into public consciousness, making education about this rich past even more critical.

Water Sources and Educational Initiatives

It’s fascinating to note that a generous 40 percent of Greenville’s water originates from the Keowee watershed, which translates to “place of the mulberries” in the Cherokee language. This lends significant importance not just to the rivers that run through the area but also to the educational initiatives aimed at bringing this heritage into the spotlight.

For instance, Furman University acknowledged its land was Native in 2019 and has even contemplated implementing an Indigenous Peoples Day for its academic calendar. In addition, the Annual Pow Wow hosted by the Eastern Cherokee Southern Iroquois United Tribes of South Carolina brings together community members each May to celebrate and learn about Cherokee heritage.

Future of Cherokee Heritage in Greenville

As local organizations like the Upcountry History Museum initiate programs and events—like author talks about the Cherokee trading paths—they offer precious opportunities for residents and visitors alike to learn about the Native American legacy in the Upstate region. Sadly, city officials found no formal records acknowledging the Cherokee history when they searched, highlighting the need for a greater focus on tracing this rich heritage.

In the end, while the “Water Blessing” statue serves as a beautiful emblem of recognition, it beckons the question: how can Greenville embrace its Indigenous past more fully? The city has the potential to become a beacon of understanding and respect for the Cherokee roots embedded in its vibrant community.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Cherokee History Commemoration
• Greenville Online: Most Eccentric Towns
• Greenville Journal: Cherokee Players in Native American History
• Independent Mail: Cherokee History Comes Alive
• Greenville Online: Underrated Town in Upstate SC
• Wikipedia: Cherokee
• Google Search: Cherokee history Greenville
• Google Scholar: Cherokee history
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Cherokee
• Google News: Cherokee heritage Greenville