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<p><strong>From staff reports&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>On Wednesday, Sept. 29, in Columbia, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster presented Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/ Geechee Nation, with the Order of the Palmetto, the State of South Carolina’s highest civilian honor presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a national or statewide scale.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Queen Quet, a native of St. Helena Island, has received approximately 300 awards and honors over the years and sees this one as not only for her, but for the entire Gullah/Geechee Nation especially for her ancestors that built South Carolina through their knowledge and skills.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“Disya award sweet as a Gullah/Geechee Palmetto rose,” Queen Quet said in a release.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Gov. McMaster recognized the work that Queen Quet has done globally to insure the continuation of the Gullah/Geechee culture and the Gullah language and Geechee dialect.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Gov. McMaster made it clear that Queen Quet will continue to do this work, and that without roots, there is no nation. Queen Quet originated a statement that is the slogan of her organization which guides the work that she does consistently – "Hunnuh mus tek cyare de root fa heal de tree!"&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Believing it is divinely ordered that she now holds such a high honor bearing the South Carolina state tree, she said she will hang it on the wall next to the Gullah/Geechee Nation's flag, which also is embossed with a tree, so that the trees can stay rooted together, holding the land and culture of the Gullah/Geechee in place in her home state.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>To learn more about the work Queen Quet does on a daily basis via the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, visit www.GullahGeecheeLand.com and www.GullahGeechee.net. <br><br><em>Above: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster presents Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, with the Order of the Palmetto on Wednesday, Sept. 29, in Columbia. Submitted photo. </em></p>
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