[3] The state of South Carolina gave them the state-recognized group and special interest organization designation under the SC Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100-111) on February 17, 2005.

[5][6] The ECSIUT was first headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina and led by William Moreau Goins, who founded the group and served as CEO until his passing in late 2017.

[10] The ECSIUT as a state-recognized "group" under South Carolina law, is composed of individuals with diverse characteristics, interests, and behaviors that do not reflect a unified ethnic and cultural heritage.

[11] This membership designation differs from that of a state-recognized tribe, where members are part of an assembly of various interrelated families, clans, or generations, and their descendants.

[11] For 20 years the ESCIUT hosted an annual Native American film festival in Columbia, South Carolina which gave exposure to Indigenous filmmakers.