The American Experience segment - Wounded Knee is coming up soon, and I thought it might be a good time to listen to a documentary on WK that we did in 1993 - 20 years after the takeover.

I would love to hear from you and see what you think

LADONNA HARRIS: INDIAN 101 from Julianna on Vimeo.

A 10 minute fundraising trailer for the documentary feature, "LaDonna Harris: Indian 101".

Please Join Cathy Lewis and her guests, Upper Mattaponi Chief Ken Adams, Chief Stephen Adkins (Chickahominy) and Powhatan Owen (Chickahominy) as they discuss the Virginia Tribes battle for Federal recognition. We will also look at the first contact in 1607 and the historical misrepresentation of the Virginia Tribes in American history books.

Powhatan Owen (Chickahominy) Visiting Specialist for Jamestown 2007
The Chiefs share their knowledge of the extermination of 20 tribes at the hands of the English settlers during the first 100 years of settlement and the systematic "paper genocide" of all Native Americans in Virginia. Join Cathy and her guests for a look at Virginia's Native Americans past, present and future.

Please join us for a rare journey through poetry and conversation with the Monacan Nation of Virginia regarding first contact, the birth of our nation & the paper genocide of Virginia Indians. Many people are still unaware of the true history of the Virginia tribes and the unknown stories regarding first contact at Jamestown in 1607. Bear Mountain in Amherst County Virginia has been the home of the Monacan people for more than 10,000 years. The earliest written histories of Virginia record that in 1607, the James River Monacan, along with their Mannahoac allies on the Rappahannock River, controlled the area between the Fall Line in Richmond and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The most western of Virginia's eight tribes, the Monacan Nation were the traditional enemies of the Powhatan Chiefdom, yet very little information is recorded in the history books regarding this remarkable culture. Monacan Chief Kenneth Branham and tribal members Karenne Wood and Sue Elliott sit down with Chickahominy tribal representative Powhatan Owen to share the history and culture of the invisible people; past present and future. Until now, this history has never been shared by the Virginia tribes Subjects covered are: First contact, Racial Integrity Act [also known as the paper Genocide of Virginia Indians] Federal Recognition, culture and history of the Virginia tribes, healing for Native and Non Native People. Conversation, poetry and storytelling. Additional Information: Historical record shows the Monacan people refused contact with the English because of the prophecy told by the Manahoak warrior Amoroleck... "There will be a people who will come from the underworld to take our world from us". Because of this prophecy the English were greeted with arrows and warfare by many Virginia tribes including the Monacan and Manahoak warriors who existed outside Powhatan's Paramount Chiefdom. There is very little record in "the history books" regarding Monacan Nation and other Virginia tribes contact with the English. This a rare opportunity to learn the true history of the founding of this country from the direct descendants of the Virginia Tribes. Sadly, a great many "long forgotten" Virginia tribes were completely wiped out as a result of interactions with the English and later Nataniel Bacon, Walter Plecker and others.This history of "warfare and abuse" continued well into the 1970's

On May 9th, 2007 a bill was unanimously passed to bring six previously unrecognized tribes into recognition.They (the tribes) have spent many years, and I have been alongside with them watching this journey for years and when I heard the news it was just tears of joy for their success,” says Lyman. The journey began back in the 1920s during one of the darkest eras in American history. In what became known as the “paper genocide” Virginia natives were forced to profile themselves as either “white” or “colored,” in effect, eliminating “Native American” as a race. This wiped out much of the historical documentation of these tribes, making it difficult to gain federal recognition.The passing of this bill in the house brings the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Monacan and Nansemond to the verge of federal recognition.

“I am very excited for them, and it’s been a long time coming for the first people of Virginia,” says Lyman.

For someone who has dedicated a good portion of her career to advancing Native American recognition, this is especially great to hear.

Lyman has been a filmmaker since her early years of college. While at school she was doing some research about her heritage and came to an alarming conclusion.

“What I found was there was little or nothing available regarding Indian history, as told by the Indian people…and I decided way back then that I wanted to do something about that.”

Posted in forums for discussion

A write up from the Native American Times

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Images from our past three years ... more to come.