Occaneechee Band of the Saponi Nation

The Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation are descendants of the Saponi and other Indians who occupied the Piedmont of North Carolina and Virginia. The community is located primarily in Pleasant Grove Township, Alamance County, North Carolina.

Recognition

The Occameechi-Saponi are recognized by the state of North Carolina.

Although the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs originally opposed granting recognition, an Administrative Law Judge found that the Occameechi-Saponi met the established guidelines and recommended that the commission grant tribal recognition to the Petitioners. This recommendation became the final decision of the case when the commission failed to issue a final decision within the time limits set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 150B-44 (1991). The commission did appeal this decision, but the Supreme Court of North Carolina denied review (and disolved a temporary stay) in 2001. (see 354 N.C. 365, 556 S.E.2d 575 (2001).)