Paramount Chief

A Little History on Chief Clarence “Lone Wolf” Tyler

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I was named by my Great Grandparents “Lone Wolf” and I am the Chief of the Accohannock Indian Nation. In 2017 our Tribe received Maryland State Recognition; however, we will not be able to get Federal recognition because our Tribe had no Chief for 300 years. Although, we remained Accohannock the Pocomoke People’s Chief provided guidance during that time and released us once we had a new Chief.

 

Accohannock Indians were distinguished by different Clans, with a Clan Mother the head of each individual Clan. When I was 5 years, I remember my mother, father, grandparents, sister and brother would go to another area of Smith Island to attend the Fish Hawk Clan meeting. During the Summer meetings were held every third weekend. During Winter, we met one Saturday a month. As children, we were told by our great grandmother that what was discussed during the meetings stayed in the meetings; they were not to be talked about. Later on, it was explained why our meeting were a secret. While we were American Indians, the community of Smith Island considered us Black. Therefore, our families were afraid that if it was found out we were Indian, we would be sent over to Crisfield to attend a black school. My family was not the only one to have clan meetings; every Accohannock clan had their own meetings. Some referred to their meetings as a Taffy Pulling contest, Quilt making and other names.

 

I would go to the beach with my father looking for arrowheads, which I would add to my father’s box. When I was 10 or 11, I started my own collection.

 

I worked on the water with older men in the during the summer break from school and would buy my school clothes and save the rest of what I made. Once I finished 9 years of schooling I started working on a Tug Boat. I studied for my GED to finish school and studied so I could receive my Tugboat License. After being gone so much from home, I decided to go the Maryland Correctional Institute and became a Correctional Officer at the Eastern Shore Correctional Institute; I had a major heart attack and had to retire as a Correctional Officer. I began working with my tribal family, the Accohannock Indian Tribe. As is traditional, the Clan Mothers decided to selected Rudy “Laughing Otter” Hall as their new Chief. Upon his passing, Senior Clan Mother asked me to become the new Chief of the Tribe.