1640 - The Catawbans

The Catawba Indian Tribe was once part of several tribes of the Sioux Indian Nation in the west. They fled to the southeast to escape their enemies in 1640. Settling first in Botetourt County Virginia, the Catawba eventually established homes along the Catawba River by 1660. Their name, Catawba, means people of the river. There are several thousand members of the tribe.