The Croatoan tribe was a Native American group that lived on Hatteras Island in present-day North Carolina. They were part of the larger Algonquian language family and were known for their fishing, hunting, and farming skills. The tribe played a significant role in early European exploration and settlement in the region. The Croatoan are often associated with the mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke Colony in the late 16th century. When English settlers arrived, they found the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree, leading to speculation about the fate of the colonists. The tribe's interactions with these settlers remain a topic of historical interest.