Yacunne (Fish) Camp
3rd Annual Yacunne (Ya-chu-nay) Fish Camp
Fridays, April 21st & 28th from 6PM to 9PM AND
Saturdays, April 22nd & 29th from 9AM to Noon
The event creates an opportunity for community to gather and share stories while fishing. The program is sponsored by the National Parks Foundation (Moore's Creek Battlefield), Cape Fear River Assembly, Duke Superfund, NC Museum of Science and NC Wildlife Resources Commission. We provide fishing poles, bait, food, snacks, drinks, cultural history and this year we have some amazing gifts for those who come. Including free raw vegetables. The event is free and open to the public. You can register for the event below and if you already have, we welcome you out to the event. Details for attending including the address is below.
The last weekend of the fish camp will include spear fishing sessions with the Sisseton Sioux Nation and Shad Roe and Fish cooking demonstrations, April 28th & 29th.
The land you will be visiting is the ancestral lands of the Waccamaw Siouan people. You will be learning more about the Waccamaw Siouan People and our culture during the event. Your respect for the lands in which you will be accessing is necessary.
Important Information to know before attending
Here is what you need to know:
The location of the 211 Pecan Bass Ponds is 4625 Green Swamp Rd N., Bolton, NC 28423. Follow the map below, containing directions to park and we will greet you at the STEM Studio Welcome Tent just across the bridge.
Bring chairs, snacks, sunblock and drinks to keep you hydrated during the camp. You are welcome to bring any umbrellas or tents for additional shade.
You may want to bring a cooler or bucket if you plan to take fish home.
Most sessions are over typical meal times, so please bring any extra or snacks with you. We will also have food and snacks onsite.
Fishing gear will be provided and spears.
Bathrooms will be onsite and handicap accessible.
Bring signed copies of the Waivers, below. A waiver will be needed for each participant. You will only need to bring the forms the first time you attend a session.
Here is what to expect after you arrive:
Once at the STEM Studio Welcome Tent, we will verify your registration, receive all waivers and receive a safety briefing for the site
Afterwards, you will visit the Waccamaw Siouan History tent and learn about our cultural connections to fishing. Then you will visit the NC Wildlife Commission Tent for a safety briefing, receive fishing gear and beggin fishing.
There will be special parking for elders and a pond for elders as well to minimize walking when on site. We will also have a golf cart to help transport elders available.
You are responsible for the care and safety of your children.
You will be allowed to keep up to 3 fish you catch during each session.
Here is how we will end the session:
Please clean up the area you were fishing at. A trashcan will be located near the STEM Studio Welcome Tent.
Site Location and Waiver Information
Location Information 2023.pdfYacunne Fish Camp Location
(Includes Address and Site Map)
Camp Photo and Liability Waiver 2023.pdf2023 Liability and Photo Waiver
(Print and bring to event)
Volunteers Needed!
Click the link below to register for volunteering!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c094aacac2ba1ffc07-3rdannual
Let's go Fishing!
Fishing is traditional. It is how we have sustained life on this continent for thousands of years, yet in the past 100 years our appetite for this traditional way has declined. For the past two years STEM Studio has hosted a Yacunne Camp that brings together hundreds of community members to reconnect with fishing and bring back traditional ways of spear fishing. The camp is held in the spring in our tribal community and has attracted hundreds of participants and families over the years.
Community Yacunne Fish Camp Coloring Sheet.pdfFree Coloring Page
In 2022, Domonique Mitchell (Waccamaw Siouan Artist) created a coloring page that depicts a Waccamaw Siouan male spearfishing. The spears where made of hickory and used deer antler tips for a point. Some elders remember when spearfishing was more promonit in our culture as a way of fishing. In the 1950s, there was still accounts of this practice continuing and with much larger bowfin fish we see today.
This is a free coloring page for you to use in continuing to educate about our culture and traditions as Waccamaw Siouan People.
The Yacunne (fish) Camp welcomes friends from our surrounding community to come fish on our traditional lands.