November is Native American Heritage Month—a time for Â鶹´«Ã½ to recognize, respect, and honor the contributions, cultures, and resilience of Native American communities. It is also an opportune time to educate the general public about our local tribes, to raise awareness around the unique challenges Indigenous peoples historically and presently, and to highlight the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to seven (7) federally recognized sovereign tribes:
- Chickahominy Indian Tribe
- Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division (Nations)
- Monacan Indian Nation
- Nansemond Indian Nation
- Upper Mattaponi Tribe
- Pamunkey Indian Tribe
- Rappahannock Indian Tribe
There are also four state recognized tribes:
- Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe
- Mattaponi Indian Tribe
- Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virgina
- Patawomeck Tribe of Virgina
Our understanding of Virginia’s history is complex and often contentious. Indigenous communities have faced countless challenges to their identities, languages, and cultures, and have been threatened with erasure over the centuries. Today, we recognize Indigenous people’s spirit and strength as well as the immeasurable impact they have made in every aspect of American society. At Â鶹´«Ã½, we are committed to deepening our understanding of the heritage and resilience of these sovereign tribes of Virginia. To achieve this, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity has worked with the (VTEC), an organization working to bolster the capacity of Indigenous nations in the Commonwealth by addressing the academic achievement, career, and technical educational needs of tribal peoples, in a number of ways. This includes the launch of our oral history project this spring which centers Indigenous perspectives and experiences across Virginia’s past and present exploring their connection and relationship to the land, how it affects their health, and how this relationship has changed over time.
This month there are events and programs across campus that highlight Indigenous voices, and bring forward conversations on equity, justice, and cultural pride. The Office of Intercultural Relations has put together a calendar of events that can be viewed here: /intercultural-relations/native-american/heritage-month. Also engage in our 21 Days of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice below, designed to bring awareness We invite the Monarch community to join us in recognizing the Indigenous communities of Virginia and celebrating the legacies that continue to enrich our lives.
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21 Days of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
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- Day 1: U.S. Department of the Interior: National Native American Heritage Month
- Day 2: U.S. Census Bureau: Facts for Features: National Native American Heritage Month
- Day 3: 9 Facts About Native American Tribes
- Day 4: National Endowment for the Humanities: Resources for Native American Heritage Month
- Day 5: Virginia Indians
- Day 6: The Virginia Indians: Meet the Tribes
- Day 7: How Virginia Used Segregation Law to Erase Native Americans
- Day 8: In Our Own Words: Voices of Virginia Indians
- Day 9: Native American Heritage Month 2024: Digital Resources
- Day 10: Celebrate Native American Heritage
- Day 11: Honor Native Land
- Day 12: American Indian Movement
- Day 13: 12 Women to Know for Native American Heritage Month
- Day 14: Virginia Tribal Education Symposium
- Day 15: Smithsonian: National Museum of the American Indian
- Day 16: Totem Tales
- Day 17: The History of Native American Boarding Schools Is Even More Complicated than A New Report Reveals
- Day 18: Native Land Digital: A Digital database honoring the sovereignty of all Indigenous nations, lands, and waterways
- Day 19: 20 Essential Indigenous Movies from North America
- Day 20: Reclaiming Native Truth
- Day 21: The Balance of Two Worlds: A Story of the Navajo Nation