Goldwater Ventures joins the Gullah/Geechee Nation to advocate for Afro-Indigenous lifeways before the South Carolina Legislature, SC Black Caucus, and S.C. Governor on Lobby Day 2024
A. Prince Albert III pictured with Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, at the S.C. State Legislature on 2024 Lobby Day.
Columbia, SC, February 12, 2024 – Goldwater Ventures joined The Gullah/Geechee Nation to make significant strides toward securing Afro-Indigenous cultural sustainability and the future of the communities' lifeways. On South Carolina Lobby Day, the partners advocated for legislative initiatives to preserve and recognize the traditional fishing practices of the state's Gullah/Geechee and Native American communities.
One of the pivotal initiatives pushed for by this partnership includes an amendment to the South Carolina Code of Laws, proposing the creation of an annual subsistence saltwater fishing license. The proposed amendment, detailed in sections from 50-9-560 to 50-9-715 of the S.C. Code, outlines a comprehensive approach to supporting subsistence fishing. It includes a nominal fee for the annual license, with a portion of the fees allocated to monitoring fisheries based on traditional methods. It establishes a fund for the management and restoration of subsistence fisheries. Additionally, it seeks to define "subsistence" in a way that respects the noncommercial, customary, and traditional fishing practices of the Gullah/Geechee and Native American peoples.
The initiative also aims to amend various sections to ensure the identification of fish stocks that support subsistence fisheries, the designation and maintenance of public shellfish grounds for personal use, and the provision of lifetime subsistence saltwater fishing licenses, with a special provision for Gullah/Geechee individuals over the age of seventy. This legislative push is not just about fishing rights; it is a broader movement towards recognizing and preserving the unique cultural heritage and traditions of the Gullah/Geechee and Native American communities in South Carolina.
In addition to the focused lobbying efforts for subsistence fishing rights, Goldwater Ventures and the Gullah/Geechee Nation's advocacy extended to pivotal meetings with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. These discussions were integral in broadening the scope of the advocacy to include a range of issues critical to the preservation of Gullah/Geechee Afro-Indigenous lifeways.
Under the leadership of its visionary founder, A. Prince Albert III, and Queen Quet, Goldwater has been at the forefront of this advocacy up and down the Sea Island coast. Their efforts underscore a commitment to environmental justice, cultural preservation, and the empowerment of Afro-Indigenous communities. It also sets a precedent for how states can partner with indigenous communities to ensure their rights and traditions are protected and celebrated. The collaboration between Goldwater Ventures and the Gullah/Geechee Nation on South Carolina Lobby Day is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated advocacy, grounded in respect for cultural heritage and community rights, can have on shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.
Citation
Goldwater Ventures, Goldwater Ventures Advocates for Gullah/Geechee & Native American Rights to Lifeways (February 12, 2024), https://www.goldwaterventures.info/post/goldwater-ventures-advocates-for-gullah-geechee-native-american-rights-to-lifeways.
References
South Carolina General Assembly. H. 4292, 125th Sess. (2023-2024), https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/4292.htm#:~:text=For%20the%20privilege%20of%20subsistence,into%20a%20fund%20to%20monitor. Sponsored by Reps. Rivers, Williams, Clyburn, Hosey, and Garvin; introduced in the House on April 6, 2023, and currently residing in the House.
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