[1][3] The state of South Carolina awarded the organization the state-recognized tribe designation under the SC Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100–110) on January 27, 2006.

[2] The Santee Indian Organization is governed by a tribal council and governmental authority unique to Native Americans, as specified within the South Carolina regulations for state-recognition as a "Tribe".

[6] The presence of the community in this era is shown by state highway department maps, which consistently marked the 'Indian Church' north of Holly Hill from 1938 onwards.

[6] Beginning in the early 1970s the governor's office began to encourage the Santee, Catawba, Edisto, and Pee Dee Indian Tribe to express their needs and helped these communities obtain federal and state funds.

[6] By the late 1970s it was concluded the main problem with South Carolina's indigenous populations was isolation with most suffering from substandard housing and inadequate water systems.

[8] This notice, formally outlined the tribe's goals of promoting community facilities, fellowship, charitable assistance, and announced an inaugural meeting scheduled for October 9, 1975, at the Indian Church of God in Holly Hill.

[10] During the early 1980s, many members moved away for employment, primarily for work in blue-collar jobs, and to avoid facing long commutes to major cities like Charleston.

[6] However, it was not until January 27, 2006, that the Santee Tribe finally achieved official state-recognition under South Carolina Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), as per Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100–110).

[11][12] This piece detailed an incident where Sheriff Willis V. McCall forcibly entered the Platt family's home at night, acting on reports that some of the children appeared to be of African descent and were passing as white.

[11] Disapproving of one child's nose shape and deeming five children's complexions and hair texture too similar to those of African Americans, he declared them unfit for a whites-only school.

[5][6] The Santee Indian Organization has hosted an annual Family Fun Day and Powwow since 2012 at its tribal grounds near Holly Hill, South Carolina.