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Smokin' Ace

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URL: http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004737.asp

Virginia tribes fight for federal recognition
Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Virginia tribes were among the first to greet European settlers to what is now the United States but still lack federal recognition.

The tribes negotiated treaties with the British government and had reservations set aside in the 1600s. But they say they were forced to hide their identity due to race-based policies in Virginia that subjected them to "colored" status.

The tribes are now hoping to gain recognition by an act of Congress. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved a bill to recognize the Chickahominy, the Chickahominy Eastern Division, the Monacan, the Nansemond, the Rappahannock, and the Upper Mattaponi tribes.

The tribes hope recognition can come in time for the commemoration of the arrival of Europeans in Jamestown in 1607.

Get the Story:
Virginia Tribes Fight for Sovereignty (The Los Angeles Times 10/12)
Username: indianz, Password: indianzcom

Get the Bill:
Senate Committee Report | The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2003 (S.1423)

Related Stories:
Rep. Moran: Virginia tribes deserve recognition (06/24)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (06/17)
Senate panel backs recognition of Virginia tribes (05/10)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (04/19)
Virginia tribes seeks support for recognition bill (03/15)
Va. tribes seek recognition for Jamestown 2007 (2/16)
Senate bill to recognize six Va. tribes advances (10/30)
GOP Editorial: Say no to Virginia's tribes (05/19)
BIA opposes Va. recognition bill (09/27)
Va. tribes rally for sovereignty (4/30)
Recognition of Va. tribes opposed (1/26)
Recognition bills crowd Congress (11/29)
Virginia tribes: Recognition Yes, Casinos No (09/19)

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Maria_W

I am very interested in the progress of the 8 Virginia tribes that you have listed. I am hoping that the Federal Government will finally grant them Federal recognition. They have worked so hard for it. I have been watching their progress with extreme interest becasue my Potowomecke ancestry orginates in Vrirginia. We, the decendents of the Potowomecke are not even state recognized. We are recognized by Stafford Cty, Virginia. We have been working since 1996 to gain state recognition. We were working with Helen Roundtree, noted author of Pocahontis's People. Thus far we have not be able to gain that status yet. I have found reference to the Potowomecke, that dates back to 1564. Their name translates into ( They come and go) By the way , that is where the Potomac River got it's name. I am a decendent of the Potowomecke of Virginia, who were part of The Powhatan Confederacy in the 1600's. I decent off of Japasaw or I-Oppasus, his son, Wahangonoche, his daughter, Mar, ect. Japasaw was born in the late 1500's. Japasaw was weroance of Passapatanzy in 1620's. Which was located in the Black Swamp area of Virginia. It is now located in King George Cty, Virginia. Japasaw was brother to Wahansonacock or Powhatan. Japasaw was uncle to Pocahontis, who married John Rolfe. Thus far I consider my self as having Potowomecke ancestry. If and when the Potowomecke become recognized by the state of Virginia, it will be up to the other tribal members who live in Virginia wether I will have full recognition becasue I live out of state. I am in contact with a few other decendents of the Potowomecke. One being the tribal historian for them. He also comes off of Japasaw and his son Wahangonoche. Heres hoping that they all get recognized! Maria

Maria_W

My understanding is that there is 3 ways to gain recognition. Through the Federal government, through the Virginia Council on Indians and State legislature. We are going through The Virginia Council on Indians.

Tsogoudle

Are these tribes black? Maybe I read it wrong. I don't see how these people come up with such hog wash AND get the federal govt to give them recognition. I think its wrong and unjust to us. Just because someone says their Ndn doesn't mean they really are! I think there should be a 100 percent approval of all tribes across the United States saying "Yes, they are".

Smokin' Ace

None of these tribes are black - they are just fighting for federal recognition...these people's origins date back to the time of Pocahontas upon the first contact with the "outside world". They have been recognized for years...by the state, but now want federal recognition.

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looksaway

So, do you look white or do you look ndn?

Blackbear

Most of the unrecognized or state recognized eastern groups have african ancestry as well . For most determining quantum of either ancestry is impossible but many of these groups have retained their indian identity for well over a century and some have been organized in a tribal manner for almost as long. Their situations should not be lumped in with the Pequot or the obvious "new" tribes that appear or have appeared over the last couple decades. I had a friend in IL who was Rappahannock and she was as indian in looks or manners as any other indian.

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looksaway

Yeah, a lot of the Naraganzets have African ancestory.

Blackbear

So does that make them less indian than if they had white ancestry instead? I ask because that has been an ongoing idea in that state they live in and one of the biggest reasons why they are'nt already recognized... also why many of them can't "prove" lineage becuase of one man who believed if the indians married black or white for that matter then they were no longer indian and neither were their children.....

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mistifurr

Are you kidding me? Wow, a statement like that could have been made by Walter Plecker, too. Looking at some of your other posts, I noticed you calling Arnold Schwarzenegger a racist. Hmmmm...don't you think that your statement was a bit racist, too?
Virginia Indians have had contact with Europeans for over 400 years--could you prove 100% lineage for that long? Nobody can. And what is more, what should it matter? Tribes adopted, occasionally, in order to grow--they did not discriminate and neither should you.

beeleaf

mistifurr


Many have also continued to mix with other tribes/mixed bloods...not just white or black.
Guess that makes it not so "black n white", eh? smile


Hi to Maria from a grandchild of Arroyah.

annie_griffin

Go Virginia!




annie