Tribal Lands Reclaimed in Southampton County

Click on photo for larger, downloadable view. Friday, March 20, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Tribe’s “Land Site” on Old Bridge Road in Courtland, Virginia

The public is invited to witness the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, Virginia reclaiming of a portion of their reservation land in a “Land Closing Peace Pipe Ceremony.”

In 1705 the House of Burgess, now our Virginia House of Delegates, granted unto the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia approximately 41,000 acres of Tribal Reservations Land – now historically known as the Circle and Square Track.

The Circle Track consisted of approximately of 18,000 acres and the Square Track some 23,000 acres. The Tribe’s Reservation land began to disappear into the hands of the Colonials in 1735 when the first of many land deeds were let between the Tribe’s Chief Men and the Colonials and would continue up until 1877 when 525 acres were divided among tribal members having the blood-line of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians.

In February 2002 a group of cluster families having the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Blood –line (Descendants of: Turner, Brown, Artist, Bozeman, Woodson, Rogers, Boone, Britt, Cutler) living in Southampton County Virginia, many of whose roots were in “Artist Town,” came together and reformed the Historic Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County Virginia.

One of the goals immediately set by the tribe was to acquire a portion of the tribe’s former Reservation Land either by purchase or donation, with the short term goal (once land was acquired) of building a Tribal Center, Museum, a Worship Center and an Interactive Native American Indian Village pattern after the “Hand Site” Excavation of the 1960s; to include, having the tribe’s own Powwow Grounds. These tribal goals led to the establishment of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal Heritage Foundation, Inc. The Foundation was formed as the Non-Profit Arm of the Tribe and received its 501(c)3 status on June 13, 2005.

After seven years of networking and conducting educational presentations, and Powwows on the tribe’s history in Southampton County; to include, Richmond, Southside Virginia, Hampton Roads and the Smithsonian in Washington DC, a portion of the tribe’s former Reservation Land will once again be in the ownership hands of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, Virginia.

As such, Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, has issued the call to all Tribal Members and Board of Directors of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal Heritage Foundation to report on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 2:00 PM, in full “Tribal Regalia” to witness the “Historic” Land Purchase Closing “Native American Pipe Ceremony”, between the Tribe’s Heritage Foundation and Sustainable Forest LLC. There will be Native Drumming by NA-MA-WO-CHI on the Great Nadawa Drum and Native Dancing.

This will be a historical moment in the history of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia, a tribe which has been a part of Southampton County prior to the county’s annexation from Isle of Wight County in 1749. Chief Red Hawk also noted that the land the Tribe’s foundation is purchasing from Sustainable Forest, LLC is located on part of the former Square Track.

"It is a 'Creator' sent blessing that in the Twenty-first Century we are reclaiming a small portion of the 41, 000 acres of Reservation Land that once belonged to our tribe. With ownership of the land, the tribe can now work toward bringing its goals to fruition – its own Powwow Grounds, the building of a Tribal Cultural Center and Museum, and a Worship Center" said Chief Brown.

Chief Brown stated that the land would also used to construct and develop an Interactive “Palisade” Native American Village call “Cattashowrock Town.” Brown noted that Cattashowrock Town, was one of three Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Villages identified in a sworn affidavit of James Thweatt in November 1707 stating that he had known this Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Town, and the Nottoway River to be called the Nottoway, for the space of forty eight years - that would make it 1659.

The tribe’s plan is to construct the palisade Cattashowrock Town as a replica 1580’s Iroquoian village in the like manner as identified in the “Hand Site Excavation” which took place in Southampton County near General Thomas Highway in the 1960s. The Interactive “Palisade” Native American Village will include Iroquois traditional “Long Houses” displaying on site Native American Traditional Arts Crafts, Jewel Making, and demonstrations; such as, Beading, and “Brain Tanning.” It is envisioned, that the Powwows, the Tribal Cultural Center and Museum and the Interactive “Palisade” Native American Village - Cattashowrock Town, will be a million dollar tourist attraction for the Southampton County and Franklin Area.

Chief Brown said "In the long term, we envision some 40 to 50 thousands tourist per year visiting the area and we are trusting that the local communities, at large, will take a proactive roll and interest in the goals of the tribe and lend their support monetarily or in kind."

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s Intertribal 8th Annual Powwow and Gathering, “Green Corn Dance Celebration,” will be held July 25th and 26th, 2009 at the Southampton County Fairgrounds, Courtland, VA – the General Public is invited. For additional Powwow information contact Mona “Quite Storm” Cunnikin at 757-538-1804 or Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown at 757-562-7760.

For more information on the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, Virginia or how to lend you support to the tribe’s 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Foundation please visit the tribal website: http://www.cheroenhaka-nottoway.org

Photo: Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown. On April 26, 2006, the Mayors and Board Chairs of ten cities, one town and six counties in Hampton Roads gathered at the Cape Henry Memorial at Fort Story in Virginia Beach, on the same site where three ships landed in 1607 to begin exploration and establishment of the first English speaking settlement in America. Hampton Roads’ top local elected officials commenced the community’s first region-wide citizenship project. Visit www.AmericasFirstRegion.com for more.