COLUMBIA, S.C. - At least four American Indian groups intend to file for state recognition as tribes by Sept. 1.

The groups met Thursday with the state's Native American Affairs coordinator to get questions answered about the strict application process and requirements. Two of the groups had previously applied, but withdrew those to polish their applications.

The four groups filing for state recognition as tribes are the Chicora Indian Tribe of South Carolina, Natchez-Pee Dee Tribe, Beaver Creek Indians and Piedmont American Indian Association Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation.

State recognition may be obtained only after a lengthy process that includes proof of tribal rolls for the past five years, historical presence in the state for 100 years, official records for tribal members, historical ancestry and genealogy chart.

Barbara MorningStar Paul, a member of the Lakota Nation, works for the Minority Affairs Commission of South Carolina as program coordinator for Native American Affairs. She said the groups that were present Thursday seemed eager in anticipation of filing their applications despite the stiff requirements.

MorningStar Paul said the state's strict guidelines for establishing tribal recognition are in place to protect the tribes.

"The guidelines are stringent to protect the tribes in the future from accusations of not being Indian," MorningStar Paul said. "It's protection for them as much as it is for the agency."

Despite the stringent process, state requirements are less difficult to satisfy that obtaining federal recognition for a tribe. State recognition is more about giving groups identification, there is no financial gain for state-recognized tribes, said Will Goins, chief executive of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina Inc.,

Goins will serve on the five-member application review committee in September. The panel has four months to make its recommendations to the commission on the applications.

"I do think there will be some challenges that each group will have to face. But I do wish them the best of luck," Goins said. "I know that the review committee will be fair but will be strict in the way of the law, in what should be presented and what is expected from the tribes."

The Waccamaw Indian People and the Pee Dee Nation of Upper South Carolina were granted state recognition as tribes by the commission in February. The Catawba Indian Nation is the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina.