Coastal Carolina Indian Center

The Coastal Carolina Indian Center, based in Emerald Isle, NC, is dedicated to comprehensive research, preservation, and education surrounding the history, culture, and traditions of the indigenous peoples of Coastal North Carolina. The organization engages in and supports research projects focused on documenting the rich heritage of the Indians of the coastal plain, working to preserve recorded knowledge while making it widely accessible to future generations. CCIC actively records previously undocumented information to ensure that the history and cultural legacy of these First People remains available for all.

As an educational resource, the Coastal Carolina Indian Center serves educators, parents, students, and individuals throughout North Carolina interested in learning about the historic Indian tribes of the coastal region. The organization offers the Great Salt Water Educational Program as a cornerstone initiative, making the history, traditions, and language of Coastal Carolina Indians accessible to students and teachers across the state. Through this program and other educational offerings, CCIC provides comprehensive resources for understanding how the pre-colonial era evolved through to modern times.

Beyond research and education, the Coastal Carolina Indian Center celebrates the heritage and contributions of the First People of Coastal North Carolina. The organization recognizes the importance of historical documentation and artistic records that provide insight into the day-to-day life of indigenous inhabitants. CCIC welcomes descendants of these historic tribal groups to connect with others who share ancestral ties and to celebrate their shared heritage, fostering a sense of community and cultural pride among those rooted in North Carolina's indigenous history.