For 88 seasons, The Roanoke Island Historical Society has produced The Lost Colony. The show is a symphonic outdoor drama that has produced a high-quality that depicts the story of the first American colony – and the mystery of its disappearance.
This award-winning production has been a don’t-miss attraction on the Outer Banks for decades. And in recent years, the show has worked with Native consultants to create a more accurate representation of the Native Americans depicted – particularly the representation of the Algonquin tribe that originally inhabited Roanoke.
“Over the past four years the Roanoke Island Historical Association Board has made tremendous strides of enhancing the Native American perspective in The Lost Colony script and production,” reflected Catawba Nation Foundation board member Harvey Godwin, Jr. “As an American Indian board member, I have witnessed the burden of cultural/historic trauma relieved from participating American Indian cast members, freeing them to strengthen inter-tribal unity and establish positive collaboration with the non-native cast.”
Last year, the Catawba Nation Foundation awarded The Lost Colony a grant to support this work and strengthen offerings for both the cast and public.
These offerings include a free Native pre-show performance that demonstrates and explores the origins of Native American dances. Throughout the summer, they also offer a weekly workshop to at-risk Native groups. Participants spend an afternoon weekly with company members exploring Native culture. The grant has enabled The Lost Colony to expand its hiring pool, hosting auditions at the Catawba Longhouse.
This additional focus on Native culture is expanding patron awareness of the Catawba Nation and other tribes in the Carolinas. As guests leave, multiple have been overheard commenting that they want to look up more information about the tribes depicted in the production.
“Thanks to the help of the Catawba Nation, we will continue to be able to find new ways to continue to educate and entertain our guests about the Algonquin Peoples who once called this island home,” said Chuck Still, Executive Director of the Roanoke Island Historical Association.
