What Is the Catawba Tribe?
The Catawba tribe, more properly known as the Catawba Indian Nation, is one of many Native American tribes that are recognized by the United States government. Derived from a Catawba place-name, Katapu, Catawba is translated as “fork in a river.” As with most names commonly used for Native Americans by others, Catawba is not the name the tribe uses for itself. Instead, the Catawba call themselves Iyeye, which means “people,” or Nieye, meaning “real people.” The tribe is sometimes called the Iswa, but there is some debate about whether this actually was a separate tribe or another name used by Spanish settlers for the Catawba tribe. Catawba Indians originally were found throughout present-day North and South Carolina in the United States, but by the early 21st century, they primarily were centered around the Catawba river in South Carolina and along the border between the Carolinas. At their height, the Catawba tribe was second only to the Cherokee in terms of power held in the area tha
