Wenonah Haire interview (includes transcript)

Dr. Wenonah Haire was a 60-year-old woman at the time of this interview, which took place at the Catawba Cultural Center, Catawba Indian Nation Reservation, South Carolina. She was born in York County, South Carolina. She held a Doctorate of Dental Medicine, and was employed as a dentist, and was also the Cultural Director and THPO (Tribal Historic Preservation Officer) for the Catawba Indian Nation. Dr. Haire describes some of the traditional uses that the creeks have been used for in the past and present by the Catawba Indians. She also discusses the concerns that come from being south of the creeks in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. She stresses that it is important that we are all responsible for taking care of the creeks; it’s not just one entity but all of us. She relates the folklore of the Yehasuri, which were known to have resided in creek banks and recites a Catawba Indian water creation tale.