VITAL

On October 14, VITAL will host its annual Mary Wade Memorial Golf Tournament.  This tournament honors the memory of Mary Wade, a member of the Moncan Indian Nation and the founding President of VITAL, and will help support one of Mary’s favorite causes—helping the Virginia Indians in their quest for Federal Recognition.

The tournament will be held at Glenwood Golf Club near Richmond, VA.  Registration will start at 10:00 a.m., with a shotgun start at noon.  Prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers and for the longest drive, closest to the pin and sportsmanship.

Down load the entry form, submit your team by Friday, October 7 and join us for a fun afternoon of golf!  If you would like to sponsor a hole, you may also use the entry form to submit your sponsorship.

On July 28, 2011, The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs voted to move “The Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2011” (S. 379) out of Committee in preparation for action by the full Senate.

Senator Jim Webb, the bill’s co-patron along with Senator Mark Warner, attended the Committee meeting.  He reiterated his support for recognition of the Virginia Tribes, saying “I strongly believe that recognition for these six Virginia tribes is justified based on principles of dignity and fairness”.

Representatives from the Chickahominy, Monacan and Upper Mattaponi Tribes and the Virginia Council of Churches attended the meeting and met with Senator Webb.  The Senator had a photo taken with the group which appeared in a press release from his office.

The Virginia Indian Nations will present The Virginia Indian Dance Festival on July 29-30, 2011 at the Snagajob.com Pavilion at Innsbrook, 4901 Lakebrook Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060.  Members of the six Indian Nations that constitute the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life (VITAL) will give honor to their past and future, as they perform traditional Virginia Woodlands’ Indian dances.  Visitors will have an opportunity to experience the culture of the Virginia Indians by observing two forty-five minute dance presentations each day that will showcase the culture of the Virginia Indians.  During the performances, the origin and cultural significance of each dance, as well as the origin of the various regalia, will be explained.  Similar presentations have been made by the Virginia Indians in Gravesend, Kent, England and at the 400^th Anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown.

Grounds open at 5:00 p.m. on both days.  Friday dance performances will occur at 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday performances will occur at 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.  The festival will feature Native American dancers, drummers, and singers.  Native American crafters from all over the region will have jewelry, pottery, beadwork, leather crafts, and other authentic arts and crafts for sale.  Food will be available and will feature hot dogs, barbeque, and more.  

The festival is open to the public.  Gate admission is $10.00; children 12 years of age and under are admitted free of charge.  Plenty of free parking is available in parking lots located around the Pavilion.  Visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.  The program will provide entertainment and lasting memories for children and adults in a family-friendly atmosphere.  For health and safety reasons, no pets nor alcohol are permitted on the Pavilion grounds.

Proceeds will support VITAL, the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life.  VITAL is an organization working for federal recognition for the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Monacan, Nansemond, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi Indian Nations. 

More information is available at (804) 370-5249 or (804) 363-0157 or download The Virginia Indian Dance Festival flyer.

On Wednesday, June 2, the House of Representatives passed HR 1385, The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009. By voice vote, the bill was passed and will be sent to the Senate for further action.

Congressman Jim Moran (D-8th), the bill’s chief sponsor, spoke passionately on the House floor for passage of the bill.

Virginia’s tribes have waited 400 years to receive their federal recognition. We are one step closer to closing a sad chapter in our nation’s history, one that saw the exploitation and denigration of Virginia’s Indians said Moran.  These tribes, descendants of those that greeted the first English settlers at Jamestown, deserve the same rights afforded the 562 tribes that are currently federally recognized.

Virginia’s Indians have overcome great obstacles to get to this point,” continued Moran. “This legislation is a long overdue part of the healing process.”

A long-time supporter, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-3rd) eloquently requested passage of the bill.  Congressman Rob Wittman (R-1st) spoke strongly for the bill, too, indicative of the bi-partisan support that the legislation has received.

In a refreshing development, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-10th) spoke in support of the bill because of its prohibition on gaming.  He also said he hoped the gaming prohibition would be maintained during action in the Senate.

On Monday, in advance of the vote, a delegation of tribal members and supporters hand-delivered letters to each member of the House of Representatives, requesting they vote in favor of our legislation. To remind them to vote yes, a kernel of corn was included in each letter.

Also on Wednesday, Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner introduced S. 1178 to recognize the Tribes.

Last year, in a hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the Tribes received strong support, giving hope for Senate action this year.  Earlier this year, as a follow-up to that hearing, staff from Senator Webb’s office and from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs visited the Tribes and toured their tribal grounds.

On April 22, 2009, H.R. 1385, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009, was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources.  This positions the legislation to be considered by the full House.

VITAL appreciates Chairman Rahall and the Committee’s swift action in favor of Virginia’s Indians, said Virginia Congressman Jim Moran, the bill’s chief sponsor.  400 years is a long time to wait, but today’s decision moves our effort ever closer to ending this historic injustice.

The House of Representatives is expected to take action on H.R. 1385 in the coming weeks, according to Congressman Moran.

On March 18, Chairman Nick Rahall convened a hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources for The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009 (H.R. 1385).

A delegation of tribal representatives traveled to Washington D.C. to support the witnesses testifying on behalf of the legislation.

Governor Timothy Kaine spoke first in support of the bill, pointing out that 562 other tribes are federally recognized but none are in Virginia.  He pointed out that the Virginia Tribes have no formal relationship with the federal government because their treaties were with the King of England, long before the United States was formed.

Congressman Jim Moran (D-8th) stated “It’s about their dignity, being recognized for who they are.” and that Congress should “bring closure to a travesty.”

“It’s absolutely long overdue, said Congressman Robert Wittman (R-1st), a bill co-sponsor and member of the Committee.

Chickahominy Chief Stephen Adkins and Dr. Helen Rountree spoke on behalf of the Tribes. 

Chief Adkins recounted the discriminatory treatment the Tribes received at the hands of the State in the early part of the twentieth century, and how it affected everything from naming children, to getting marriage licenses, to induction into military service.  He asked Congress to free the Virginia Indians from this history by officially recognizing them.

After telling the committee she has spent the bulk of her career verifying the Virginia tribes, Dr. Rountree told how the Tribes have suffered over three centuries of injustice by the colonial and State governments.  She feels that if Congress does not recognize the Tribes, that injustice continues.

The majority of the committee members present at the hearing spoke favorably about the bill.

H.R. 1385 was introduced by Congressman Jim Moran on March 9 with six cosponsors: Gerald Connolly, D-Va., Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., Tom Perriello, D-Va., Nick Rahall, D-W.V., Bobby Scott, D-Va. and Rob Wittman, R-Va.

Congressman Jim Moran has written a commentary about the annual tribute to the Governor of Virginia on Thanksgiving Day.

Welcome to VITAL’s new website.  Feel free to browse the site and leave comments!