Dr. Wenonah Haire

Dr. Wenonah Haire is the Executive Director of the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project, an organization headquartered in the historic Catawba Indian School building on the Reservation. While many are aware that there were separate schools for whites and African American students prior to integration, the fact that Native folks had their own state funded public schools is not as well known.

Dr. Haire directs the many programs of the organization’s projects, including its archives, archaeology, and cultural programs. She even oversees a Crafts Store, where Catawba pottery and other arts and crafts may be purchased. Cultural programs offered for both Catawba adults and children in immersion contexts, include pottery demonstrations, language classes, history, drumming and dancing.

She enjoys beadworking as the many colors and sizes of beads intrigue her. She is also a potter, one of a number who keep this celebrated and nearly 4,500 year old folk tradition, alive in the modern world. She has served on the Catawba River Task Force that called attention to both the environmental and cultural resources along the river named for her people and this resulted in greater community and statewide awareness of the need to identify, protect and enhance Native American historic and archaeological resources.