\u201cHow would you like for somebody to come into your cemetery and dig up your ancestors dating back two, three centuries ago and take the bones away and put them someplace else?\u201d he asked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chief Brown said the tribe is working with the Smithsonian to recover the remains so they can be properly buried on its 263 acres of tribal land in Southampton County. That land is part of the 41,000 acres of reservation land originally granted to the tribe by the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1705, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The convocation also offered students an opportunity to learn about the tribe’s language and cultural traditions. Chief Brown taught students how to speak several words in the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian language, which belongs to the Iroquoian family of languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Fox: \u201cskee-you\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Turkey: \u201ckuh-noom\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Snake: \u201cann-tah-tum\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The name Cheroenhaka means \u201cPeople at the Fork of the Stream,\u201d a reference to where the Nottoway and Blackwater rivers converge to form the Chowan River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, the tribe\u2019s land includes Cattashowrock Town<\/a>, a replica Iroquoian palisade village and cultural site constructed based on descriptions by William Byrd II, who visited the tribe in 1728. The site is open to visitors from May through November.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chief Brown also described how the tribe continues to honor centuries-old traditions, including an annual treaty tribute<\/a> to Virginia’s governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beginning with the Spotswood Treaty of 1713, the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian tribe has offered a treaty tribute to the governor of Virginia each year on April 23. The tradition of gifting three peace arrows wrapped in a beaver pelt continues today, with former governors Ralph Northam and Glenn Youngkin receiving tributes during their terms and Gov. Abigail Spanberger receiving one this spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the only tribe in the state of Virginia that actually currently does a treaty tribute to the governor of Virginia,\u201d Chief Brown said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Chief Walt \u201cRed Hawk\u201d Brown of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County presents on the tribe\u2019s history. Seated behind him, from left, are Vice Chief Ellis \u201cSoaring Eagle\u201d Wright, adopted tribal member Teresa \u201cMoon Star\u201d Preston, and Joyce \u201cFalling Rain\u201d Miley.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIn addition to Chief Brown, Vice Chief Ellis \u201cSoaring Eagle\u201d Wright, adopted tribal member Teresa \u201cMoon Star\u201d Preston, and Joyce \u201cFalling Rain\u201d Miley represented the tribe at the convocation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monday\u2019s convocation was sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and EMU Engage. Dawn Neil<\/strong>, coordinator for the Office of DEI, said the purpose of the event was to celebrate Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day and \u201cbring some education and awareness about our history in Virginia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) tribe, visit cheroenhaka-nottoway.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch a recording of the convocation below!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n