On July 21, 2007, the Catawba held their first elections in more than 30 years. We live throughout the United States and have citizens outside of the country, though the majority live on or near our reservation lands. //-->. Once settlers arrived, these paths became trade routes with the Catawba lands along The Great Trading Path. In the past, the Catawba tribe was ruled by a chief from a leading . Even though King Hagler wanted to preserve the lands of the Catawba, he also understood that survival depended on working together. During 1758 they had abandoned their last towns in North Carolina and now lived entirely within South Carolina. google_ad_width = 728; As of 2006, their population had increased to about 2600. The actions of abusive fur traders and the constant threat of enslavers of American Indian peopleenraged many of the American Indian tribes, especially those living in proximity to colonial settlements. The original homeland of the Catawba before contact is uncertain. The process of firing gives the pottery its distinctive look. He is remembered as a friend to the English but also a firm defender of the rights of his people. They named the Catawba River and Catawba County after the indigenous people. The Catawbas have proven again and again that they will continue to thrive against all odds. They also practiced the custom of head-flattening to a limited extent, as did several neighboring tribes.