Patawomeck_Indian_Tribe_of_Virginia

Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia

Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia

State-recognized tribe in Virginia

This article is about state-recognized tribe. For historic Native American tribe, see Patawomeck.

The Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia is a state-recognized tribe in Virginia and a nonprofit organization of individuals who identify as descendants of the Patawomeck people.

Quick Facts Named after, Formation ...

The Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia is not federally recognized as a Native American tribe.[6] The organization has never petitioned for federal recognition.

The Patawomeck people, more commonly known as the Potomac people, are a historic Eastern Algonquian–speaking tribe who lived on the Virginia.[7]

State recognition

Through House Joint Resolution No. 150, the Commonwealth of Virginia's legislators formally designated the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia as a state-recognized tribe in 2010.[3] The resolution states: "That the General Assembly of Virginia, by this resolution, does not address the question of whether the tribe has been continuously in existence since 1776; and, be it RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Commonwealth, by this resolution does not confirm, confer or address in any manner any issues of sovereignty."[3] Entertainer Wayne Newton, who identifies as Patawomeck, advocated for recognition.[8]

Organizations

In 2014, the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Fredericksburg, Virginia.[1]

Charles "Bootsy" Bullock serves as their president in 2022.[9][2]

Robert Green of Fredericksburg, Virginia, identifies as "Chief Emeritus" of the Patawomeck Indians of Virginia and served as primary chief from 1996 to 2013.[10] He also served as president of the Patawomeck Heritage Foundation from 2010 to 2015.[10]

The related Patawomeck Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Colonial Beach, Virginia and incorporated in 2010.[4] Its officers are:

  • President: Lou Silver
  • Treasurer: Mary Ann Berry, also agent
  • Secretary: Annette Schaul.[4]
  • Executive assistant: Minne Lightner.[9]

They have an estimated membership of 2,300.[5]

Activities

The organization opened the Patawomeck Museum and Cultural Center in Fredericksburg in 2023.[11] Stafford County leased an 1890s brick farmhouse on 17-acres of land to the organization for $1 a year as part of a ten-year lease.[9] Local businesses and foundations have provided grants to fund the restoration of the farmhouse.[9]

References

  1. [1]
    "Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia". Cause IQ. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  2. [2]
    "Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia". GuideStar. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  3. [3]
    "House Joint Resolution No. 150". Virginia's Legislative Information System. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Patawomeck Heritage Foundation". OpenCorporates. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Native Heritage Month". Virginia Interfaith Center. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs". Indian Affairs Bureau. Federal Register. 8 May 2022. pp. 7554–58. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  7. [7]
    Feest, Christian F. (1978). Trigger, Bruce G. (ed.). Handbook of North American Indians: Northeast, Vol. 15. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution. p. 269.
  8. [8]
    "Patawomeck Tribe Is Reborn". Stafford Museum and Cultural Center. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  9. [9]
    Baron, James (9 May 2022). "'It's been a long journey': Patawomecks gear up for July opening of tribal center". The Free Lance-Star. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Robert Green, CCLA, WCCLA, FCLA, SCLA". LinkedIn. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  11. [11]
    Duster, Chandelis (21 January 2024). "A Virginia tribe says racism wiped their Native identity from historic records. Nearly a century later, they're still fighting for recognition". CNN. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
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