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Guest Contributions do not necessarily reflect my own opinions. I am trying to create an open forum. I reserve the right to include any submitted article or not, with or without saying why. If you wish to reproduce any of these writings or graphics you must ask permission of the author. At the bottom of each article will be contact information for the author when it is available. |
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As it appears in the cover story of the October 2003 issue of Virginia's Indian tribes were the first to welcome our nation's founding fathers to a strange New World. In a sad irony, they are among the last to gain federal recognition. |
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| As the amazing pageantry closed, it rained as if to signal a trail of tears. So far, the United States government has recognized around 550 tribes, but not Virginias. Our Commonwealths tribes were the first people to welcome European colonists to the New World. It is sad that they are among the last of our nations Indian tribes to be federally recognized. | ||||
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| FEDERAL RECOGNITION | ||||
| House Resolution 2345 (the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act) was introduced in Congress in 2001. [It was re-introduced in 2003 by Rep. Jim Moran as H.R. 1938, and in the Senate by Sen. George Allen as S.1423, co-sponsored by Sen. John Warner.] An honorary member of the Chickahominy and Nansemond tribes, Jordans mission was to advance the American Indians of | ||||
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VIRGINIA-RECOGNIZED TRIBES Our state formally recognizes the following eight tribes. All except the latter two are seeking federal recognition. |
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| CHICKAHOMINY | ||||
| When Jamestown was founded, munguy or great men governed this tribe who lived in villages along the James and Chickahominy rivers to the center of New Kent County. As the English settlement grew, the Chickahominy were driven from their | ||||
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EASTERN CHICKAHOMINY Once a part of the Chickahominy tribe, about 150 people regrouped for religious, educational, and benevolent purposes. This incorporated non-taxable organization is supported through dues-paying members and contributions. They are located in New Kent County about 25 miles east of Richmond. 1211 Indian Hill Lane MONACAN Amherst Countys Bear Mountain has been home to the Monacans for over 10,000 years. In 1607, they and their allies, the Mannahoacs, ruled the regions between the fall line of the rivers near Fredericksburg and Richmond, west to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Monacans, outside the original Powhatan Empire, represent the Siouan culture and language system. The current 1,400 members are striving to save their heritage and customs. Their ancestral museum and cultural center is located at St. Pauls Episcopal Mission. In 1995, the Episcopal Diocese returned the land to the tribe. Subsequently, the Monacans purchased over 100 acres and two additional parcels. With grants, they initiated an elders program, tribal scholarship fund, and a cultural education program. They have partnered with Natural Bridge to construct an interpretive village depicting Monacan culture to the 1700s. P.O. Box 1136 NANSEMOND In 1607, this 1,200-member tribe lived in the Reids Ferry area near Chuckatuck, or the present-day City of Suffolk. Their king resided near Dumpling Island where he kept his treasure houses. After English raids, the Nansemonds relocated several times and sold their final reservations in 1791-1792. Still located in the Chesapeake/Suffolk area, the tribe holds monthly meetings at 1850-founded Indiana Methodist Church. The 300 tribal members are planning a center/museum and living history venue on ancestral lands by the Nansemond River. P.O. Box 2515 RAPPAHANNOCK In 1608, this tribe first greeted Captain John Smith at their Kingstowne, Cat Point Creek on the Rappahannock Rivers banks. There were 13 villages on the south side and two on the north. In the late 1600s, one reserve was formed when the tribe was moved away from the river. Around 1705, they were pushed from Portabago Indian town and relocated at Indian Neck in King and Queen County. This area between the Mattaponi and Rappahannock rivers was their winter hunting grounds. Descendants have remained at this locale. From the late 1800s to the 1950s, the Smithsonian conducted field studies of this tribe. To formalize their tribal government, the Rappahannocks incorporated with Virginia in 1921. In 1995, they commenced building a cultural center targeted for completion by 2007, the 400th anniversary of America. In 1998, the tribe elected Chief G. Anne Richardson, the first woman chief since the 1700s. They also purchased 119.5 acres to establish a housing development and retreat center. Rappahannock Cultural Center UPPER MATTAPONI The Upper Mattaponi people have a long history of residing on the upper reaches of the Mattaponi River in King William County. From 1702 until 1727, James Adams, the official interpreter of the British to the Chickahominy and Mattaponi, owned land on Acquinton Creek, just a few miles from the home of the Upper Mattaponi. During the 1800s so many had the last name Adams, they were known as the Adamstown Band. In the early 1900s, because they lived so close to the river, they officially changed their name to the Upper Mattaponi. They had their own school, which they now use as their tribal center. It is the only public Indian school building still existing in Virginia. Today there are over 500 Upper Mattaponi people. Rt. 1, Box 182 MATTAPONI In 1646, this tribe commenced paying tribute to an early Virginia governor. This tradition continues today around Thanksgiving when the Mattaponi present game or fish and gifts to our states current governor. The 75 or so members live on a reservation dating back to 1658. In search of outside work, many of the younger members left their homeland, which expands along the borders of the Mattaponi River in King William County. Before the colonists arrived, these Indians worshipped the Great Spirit. Now, they have their own Southern Baptist church on the reservation. Mattaponi Indian Reservation PAMUNKEY Consisting of 10,000 people or 32 to 34 tribes, the Pamunkey were the most powerful of the Powhatan Confederacy. Chief Powhatans territory included the entire eastern coastal plain from the North Carolina border to Washington, DC. He and his daughter, Pocahontas, lived among the Pamunkey people. This is one of the last of the Powhatan tribes who have continued crafting pottery since aboriginal times. The 100 members live on the King William County Pamunkey Indian Reservation near Lester Manor. Route 1, Box 2220 THE FUTURE In time, our states first American Indian Memorial Park with a sacred circle and ceremonial center will be built in the Tidewater area. This facility will feature a library and learning center and focus on the past, present, and future of our first inhabitants. Old history books provide only snippets of information about Virginias First People. It benefits everyone to study accurate chronicles. UPDATE Since the 2002 powwow, the six tribes seeking federal recognition have had favorable hearings in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. New bills have been introduced and progress has been made, but there is still opposition from some Virginia Congressmen. With Jamestown 2007 rapidly approaching, the efforts to achieve recognition have intensified. TO LEARN MORE about this issue and the annual powwow of Virginias First People contact: VITAL www.virginiaindians.homestead.com United Indians of Virginia |
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