From Fancy Shawl Dancing to Publishing: Junior Miss Waccamaw Siouan Inspires with Her Book on NC Tribes

If you've spent any time in my little space on the interwebs, you already know how deeply I believe in the power of Indigenous youth. Their voices are sacred, powerful, and vital, especially in today’s social and political climate.

That’s why I’m beyond excited to introduce you to a rising young leader and author who’s using her platform to uplift not just her own Waccamaw Siouan community, but all of North Carolina’s tribal nations. Her upcoming activity book is a bold, beautiful act of education and cultural preservation—and now she’s inviting all of us to help amplify her message.

This is more than a book launch. It’s a movement led by a young Native girl turning her words into action.

Meet Pharrah Graham, Junior Miss Waccamaw Siouan

Although just a middle schooler, Pharrah Graham is already making waves as a published author, cultural ambassador, and competitive dancer. As the current Junior Miss Waccamaw Siouan, she’s using her voice and creativity to celebrate Indigenous heritage and educate others—starting with her soon-to-be-released activity book highlighting the heritages of North Carolina’s tribal nations.

I had the honor of sitting down with her to talk about her new book, what inspires her, and what she hopes readers—Native and non-Native alike—will take away from her work.

Hi Pharrah! I’m so excited to learn more about you, your book, and the amazing work you’re doing. To start, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m in middle school, I love to travel on the powwow trail. My favorite place I’ve been to so far is Porch Creek, Alabama. I have also started hoop dancing and I really like that. Outside of powwows I love to ride horses and any kind of art from painting to drawing, and hanging out with my friends. I am the Junior Miss Waccamaw Siouan 2024-2025. My platform is Amplifying Native Voices from Hidden Corners to City Centers.

Love that! What led you to choosing to compete for such a title? Did you already have a platform in mind if you were to win?

I wanted to serve my tribe as an Ambassador and I had a lot of inspiration from the powwow trail. I saw a lot of Ambassadors doing some great things in their community and I wanted to be able to be an inspiration to younger girls like those women were for me. Yes, I did have a platform in mind. My platform is very important to me as I am an “Urban Native” so I knew once the title was mine that was going to be my focus.

Pharrah! That is absolutely amazing. I have no doubt you're going to achieve but also surpass these goals. Your platform focuses on uplifting tribes that are often overlooked, why is that important to you?

My platform is to raise awareness in the urban cities that Native Americans are still alive, well and thriving. Also to educate people that there are Native tribes in North Carolina. I feel that a lot of times when people think about Natives, their mind goes out west. So being able to educate and make people aware of the great tribes in NC is really important.

As a member of the Lumbee Tribe, I LOVE to hear this. Tell us about your new activity book and what inspired you to create it?

Being homeschooled my mom gets to make my curriculum, last year my mom had me do research on the tribes in NC. I know people from almost each of these tribes but being able to learn about their tribal history was really cool and I wanted other kids to have that same experience. I told my mom I wanted to write a book and after we brainstormed I came up with the idea to do an activity book so that learning about the NC tribes could be fun.

You are really filling in a huge gap in Indigenous educational resources right now, because as your said, so much is geared towards out west. Who are you hoping to reach with your book?

I would like to reach all the kids I can in NC and also in other states. I love being from NC and I want to share the history of NC tribes as far as they can go. Also Native kids that want to dance, I hope they read about the different dance styles and get inspired to want to be in the arena.

That is really beautiful, Pharrah. What was the most exciting or surprising thing you learned while researching and creating the book?

The most surprising fact was there is a NC tribe that is recognized in 2 different states ( you have to read my book to find out which one)!

The most exciting fact I learned is that the Haliwa Saponi powwow is the longest running modern powwow in NC. I have so many friends & Aunties from the Haliwa Saponi tribe and it’s also one of my favorite powwows, so that was pretty cool to find out.

Oh I am really interested to find out who is recognized in two states! For families with Native youth, do you have a message for how important it is to be involved in their own tribal communities?

Yes and the message is that it's very important to be involved because you really learn your tribal history so can educate others. You get to meet so many people and connect with family members. I think teaching the youth is important because if we don’t, the knowledge and history dies when our elders do. It’s also important because sometimes us as kids have a hard time fitting in or being good at something, but we were born Native and nothing is cooler than that so learn, grow and embrace our Native culture. 

Pharrah, you are truly a gem. I thank you so much for taking the time to share your goals for your new book and your passion for us tribes here in NC. I think I speak for most what I say we hope to see you succeed with all things. Your presence and activism is incredibly important. We'll all be cheering you on!

Your Support Matters: Pre-Order This Powerful Indigenous-Led Resource

Pharrah is doing incredible work to preserve and share the histories of North Carolina’s tribal nations—work that deserves to be celebrated and supported. By pre-ordering her activity book, you’re not only investing in Native-led education, you’re helping to uplift a young Indigenous leader who’s using her voice to make a real impact. Let’s show her that her story matters and that we’re listening!

Her first round of pre-order begins 8/4 and will end on 8/18. Pharrah and her mother will have those printed and packaged up afterwards (along with some freebies!) and sent off. Please help spread the word! You can also follow Pharrah along her journey on Facebook and on her own website.