Native Americans in Brunswick County refuse to ‘be invisible’

Standing on the edge of the Brunswick River, Lovell Pierce Moore rests his hands on a staff covered in rabbit fur, festooned with bird feathers, and topped with buck antlers.

His ancestors farmed this land and fished this river.

Moore, 54, is the chief chief of the Cape Fear band of the Scarour and Wocon Indians, a Native American tribe with roots in Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus and Bladen counties.

Around his neck, Moore wears a tortoise shell, homage to the indigenous belief that the world was built on the back of a turtle. Beads, thread and feathers dress him up in his baseball cap.

He spent the last decade of his life devoted to studying his heritage and the history of the Cape Fearless Indians.

Now, Moore is working to restore this community for future generations and educate others about this often-forgotten part of history.

“Nobody wants to be invisible,” said Moore. “We are still here.”

A deep and long history

The history of the Native Americans in the Cape Fear region goes back to pre-colonial times.

The Cape Fear Band of Scarur and Wocon Indians, as they are known today, originated from the Scarur (or Tuscarora) and Wocon Indians who lived in the counties of Brunswick, Bladen, Columbus, and Pender.

Moore said Italian explorers first documented Native American tribes in the area in 1525. They were known as hemp gatherers and farmers, Moore said.

The culture of the tribe attaches great importance to the family.

“Our family, this one,” Moore said. We are doing everything to prepare…