Post by Okwes on Mar 27, 2007 14:25:21 GMT -5
Tribe's plan for lake center cast adrift
Duke's decision to delay Keowee project for more study upsets chief
By Anna Simon
CLEMSON BUREAU
_asimon@greenvillenews.com_ (mailto:asimon@greenvillenews.com)
A battle is brewing between a Native American tribal leader and Duke Energy
over future development of a historic Cherokee site on Lake Keowee.
Duke Energy's indefinite postponement of a Cherokee interpretive center and
other development planned at the Keowee Town boat landing is like a slap in
the face to Will Goins, chief of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois &
United Tribes of South Carolina.
The project would bring tax incentives, jobs and tourism revenue, and it is a
"celebration of South Carolina history and reinstatement of the contribution
the Cherokees had in the Upstate," Goins said.
The project was put on hold until a cultural study of the significance of the
site is done, said Mary Kathryn Green, a Duke spokeswoman.
A consultant would be hired to do the study as part of Duke's federal
relicensing process "in the next several years," she said.
Duke has heard from other Native American tribes in recent months, and "it
sounds as if the cultural significance of that site is bigger than just the
South Carolina Cherokees," Green said.
"It would be in the best interest of all to put any further development on
hold until we can understand the cultural significance of that site. We just
want to have the information to know that we have enough information to make a
decision."
Other tribes would be included, said Goins, an anthropologist specializing in
Native American studies and a member of the state Archeologist's Office's
advisory board on Indian issues.
"All of the other tribes have shown interest and support. They would all be
included, involved and a part of the ultimate project. They shouldn't be
putting it on hold using that as an excuse," Goins said.
"That assessment should not hinder our momentum in proceeding and working
together successfully," said Goins, who plans to meet with Duke officials next
week.
The Native American Heritage Interpretive Center is the centerpiece of the
project planned by the tribe and developer Robert Daffin, a Lake Keowee
resident working with the tribe. It would be the first center in the state
specifically about the Cherokees of South Carolina, Goins said.
The project includes rental cottages, a lodge and other amenities that would
make the interpretive center self-supporting. An eventual marina is planned
after a Duke lake study is completed this year to determine need.
There would be no casino or gambling, Daffin and Goins have said.
Duke's postponement is a rejection of "the entrepreneurs that would come in
to put up this wonderful heritage tourism site and be good tenants," Goins
said.
"They didn't have the interest until we approached them," Goins said. "So let
them find a non-Indian developer that they are happier with."
That's not the issue, Green said.
"This has nothing to do with him, nothing to do with his group. It's the
cultural significance we are finding in that immediate area," Green said.
All of the land around the lake "was Cherokee land and is sacred to us,"
Goins said. The former Keowee Town Cherokee village and nearby Fort Prince
George both are now under water, not on the shoreline.
Duke is spending money to fight public opposition to a developer's plans at
Warpath Landing, on the Pickens side of the lake, while the Keowee Town
project has overwhelming public support, Daffin said.
Green said the Warpath Landing area "doesn't have the same cultural
significance" and that the state Historic Preservation Office "has already signed off
on Warpath."
Duke has never "endorsed" the Keowee Town project "or entered into any
agreements," Green said. "Warpath has been going on for several years."
Keowee Town has letters of support from about 10 groups and agencies
including the state Parks, Recreation and Tourism office, Heritage Corridor, the
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the McKissick Museum at the University of South
Carolina, Native American groups, elected leaders and others, and scores more
are coming in, Daffin said.
"Everybody wants to be a part of it," Daffin said. "I think once they
understand who and what we are doing they will see and understand that it's a
wonderful project."
Daffin said he believes the postponement is "a misunderstanding or
miscommunication" that can be resolved.
"Duke has always been a great community partner and supporter of Native
American projects," Daffin said. "It doesn't seem logical to me that they would
take this position."
Duke's decision to delay Keowee project for more study upsets chief
By Anna Simon
CLEMSON BUREAU
_asimon@greenvillenews.com_ (mailto:asimon@greenvillenews.com)
A battle is brewing between a Native American tribal leader and Duke Energy
over future development of a historic Cherokee site on Lake Keowee.
Duke Energy's indefinite postponement of a Cherokee interpretive center and
other development planned at the Keowee Town boat landing is like a slap in
the face to Will Goins, chief of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois &
United Tribes of South Carolina.
The project would bring tax incentives, jobs and tourism revenue, and it is a
"celebration of South Carolina history and reinstatement of the contribution
the Cherokees had in the Upstate," Goins said.
The project was put on hold until a cultural study of the significance of the
site is done, said Mary Kathryn Green, a Duke spokeswoman.
A consultant would be hired to do the study as part of Duke's federal
relicensing process "in the next several years," she said.
Duke has heard from other Native American tribes in recent months, and "it
sounds as if the cultural significance of that site is bigger than just the
South Carolina Cherokees," Green said.
"It would be in the best interest of all to put any further development on
hold until we can understand the cultural significance of that site. We just
want to have the information to know that we have enough information to make a
decision."
Other tribes would be included, said Goins, an anthropologist specializing in
Native American studies and a member of the state Archeologist's Office's
advisory board on Indian issues.
"All of the other tribes have shown interest and support. They would all be
included, involved and a part of the ultimate project. They shouldn't be
putting it on hold using that as an excuse," Goins said.
"That assessment should not hinder our momentum in proceeding and working
together successfully," said Goins, who plans to meet with Duke officials next
week.
The Native American Heritage Interpretive Center is the centerpiece of the
project planned by the tribe and developer Robert Daffin, a Lake Keowee
resident working with the tribe. It would be the first center in the state
specifically about the Cherokees of South Carolina, Goins said.
The project includes rental cottages, a lodge and other amenities that would
make the interpretive center self-supporting. An eventual marina is planned
after a Duke lake study is completed this year to determine need.
There would be no casino or gambling, Daffin and Goins have said.
Duke's postponement is a rejection of "the entrepreneurs that would come in
to put up this wonderful heritage tourism site and be good tenants," Goins
said.
"They didn't have the interest until we approached them," Goins said. "So let
them find a non-Indian developer that they are happier with."
That's not the issue, Green said.
"This has nothing to do with him, nothing to do with his group. It's the
cultural significance we are finding in that immediate area," Green said.
All of the land around the lake "was Cherokee land and is sacred to us,"
Goins said. The former Keowee Town Cherokee village and nearby Fort Prince
George both are now under water, not on the shoreline.
Duke is spending money to fight public opposition to a developer's plans at
Warpath Landing, on the Pickens side of the lake, while the Keowee Town
project has overwhelming public support, Daffin said.
Green said the Warpath Landing area "doesn't have the same cultural
significance" and that the state Historic Preservation Office "has already signed off
on Warpath."
Duke has never "endorsed" the Keowee Town project "or entered into any
agreements," Green said. "Warpath has been going on for several years."
Keowee Town has letters of support from about 10 groups and agencies
including the state Parks, Recreation and Tourism office, Heritage Corridor, the
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the McKissick Museum at the University of South
Carolina, Native American groups, elected leaders and others, and scores more
are coming in, Daffin said.
"Everybody wants to be a part of it," Daffin said. "I think once they
understand who and what we are doing they will see and understand that it's a
wonderful project."
Daffin said he believes the postponement is "a misunderstanding or
miscommunication" that can be resolved.
"Duke has always been a great community partner and supporter of Native
American projects," Daffin said. "It doesn't seem logical to me that they would
take this position."