Virginia's Indians, Past & Present

Welcome to the Internet School Library Media Center Virginia's Indians, Past & Present page. This page offers historical information, lesson plans, bibliographies and links to tribal home pages. The Powhatan Indians page provides information for younger readers on the tribe, plus early Colonial history [Jamestown, Raleigh's expeditions]. This information is provided for younger readers who may be researching class projects. You can search this site. An index and sitemap are also available..

Eight tribes are recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. These include the Chickahominy, the Eastern Chickahominy, the Mattaponi, the Upper Mattaponi, the Monacan, the Nansemond, the Pamunkey and the Rappahannock. Some Virginia tribes are listed on the Bureau of Indian Affairs' List of Petitioners as seeking status as tribes recognized by the U. S. government. These include petitions filed by the United Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., The Upper Mattaponi Tribe, Inc., the Ani-Stohini/Unami Nation, Mattaponi Tribe (Mattaponi Indian Reservation), the Monacan Indian Tribe and the Chickahominy Indian Tribe. No Virginia tribes are included in the Tribal Entities List of the United States government in Virginia as of March 2, 2000. Page revised 12/02/01.

See also related pages: U. S. History to 1877 and Native Americans

Page Index

General
From the Ice Age to the 16th Century [Written for Younger Readers]
Maps
The Amonsoquath
The Assateague Peoples of Virginia, Maryland & Delaware
The Cherokees
The Chickahominy Tribe
The Chesapeake Indians
The Dogues
Haliwa-Saponi
The Monacans
The Manahoacs
The Mattaponi
The Meherrin
The Melungeons (Tennessee)
The Nahyssan
The Nansemond
The Nanticokes
The Nottoways
The Occaneechi
The Pamunkey
The Pocomoke
The Powhatan Indians
Powhatan Renape Nation [Rappahannocks]
The Shakori
The Shawnee
The Tutelo
The Warraskoyak
Roanoke Colony
Jamestown
Captain John Smith
Pocahontas
John Rolfe
Opechancanough
William Byrd
Natural History
Historical Documents
Directories
Government Agencies
Virginia Pow Wows
Lesson Plans
Other Eastern Woodland Tribes: Southeast
Other Eastern Woodland Tribes: Northeast
Eastern Woodland Indians : Juvenile & Professional Bibliographies
References & Bibliography

See also [Native Americans] [U.S. History to 1877. Virginia's Fifth Grade Curriculum]

General Resources

The Library of Virginia. Research Notes: Using Native American Resource Sources

A Brief History of the Indian Tribes of Virginia

History of the tribes; includes the de Bry etchings. By Dr. Helen C. Rountree.

Chronology of Indian Activity From Colonial National Historical Park

Thomas Jefferson Papers: Virginia Records Timeine, 1600-1609

The Geography of Virginia

Provides range of information, including:
The Real First Families of Virginia
How the Fall Line Shaped Powhatan's Empire
Jamestown - Why Did the English Settle There?
Frontier Virginia
The "Frontier" Across the Blue Ridge"
By Charles Grymes, George Mason University.

A Biography of America: English Settlement From Annenberg/CPB

Thomas Jefferson's Notes on Virginia. Chapter 11

Jefferson provides information on the various tribes.

The Contact Period for Virginia Indians

Discussion of trade networks, 1607-1750. By Dr. Elizabeth Moore.

Indians

Brief historical overview of early history. From University of Virginia

Names and Places in Henrico County

Fun site. Includes lots of history. Locate names from our
Native American heritage. Have kids find local place names.

Native American Religion in Early America From National Humanities Center

Old Muddy James and the Flow of History

Article from Colonial Williamsburg by Dennis Montgomery.

A River Worth Fighting For

Article on the York River by Dennis Montgomery from Colonial Williamsburg

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From the Ice Age to the 16th Century [Written for Younger Readers]

How Did the Native Americans Come to the Americas?

Virginia after the Ice Age

How Do We Know about the Early Indians?

What is Culture?

Virginia Indians before 10,000 Years Ago [Before 8,000 B.C.]

Virginia Indians from 3,000 to 10,000 Years Ago [8,000 B.C. - 1,000 B. C.]

Virginia Indians from 1,000 to 3,000 years ago [1,000 B. C. - 1,000 A. D.]

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Maps

Native American Tribes, Culture Areas, and Linguistic Stocks Map by William C. Sturtevant, Smithsonian Institution, 1967. Use the Tribe Finder to locate where a specific tribe lived.

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The Amonsoquath

The Amonsoquath A branch of the Virginia Cherokees.

The Assateague Peoples of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware

The Assateague Peoples of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Home page of a tribal group of local people with American Native blood in their heritage--also known as the Kickotanks or the Great Assateagues; history; goals; pow wows; events; questions & answers; more.

Peace Treaty Between The Assateague and Pocomoke Indians and Charles Calvert, Governor of Maryland 1722 Text of treaty

The Assateague Indians : What Became of Them? Article from Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum

Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Under Chincoteague Island, Early Settlement some brief information; a copy of the will of Emperor Waskawampe from 1656 is at Assateague History Notes .

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The Cherokees

Virginia's Native American Tribes: The Cherokee

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The Chickahominy Tribe

Virginia's Indian Tribes. The Chickahominy From Tribes of Virginia; Includes Chickahominy and Eastern Chickahominy; Current information on the tribe

The Chickahominy Indian Tribe

pdf file; Virginia report, information on Chickahominy government,
population, community.
The Tribes of the Chickahominy Article from New Kent_Charles City_West Point Guide

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The Chesapeake Indians

Native Virginians
Includes information on the Chesapeakes; from Virginia Beach
Public Library
The Chesapeake Indians Excavations at Great Neck Peninsula.

Burial Site Sought for Excavated Remains of Chesapeake Indians Article from Virginia Pilot, 1995.

Assateague Peoples of Virginia, Reburial of Chesapeake Indians in Virginia Beach From Richmond Times Dispatch

Native Virginians Chapter 1 of A History of Virginia Beach, Virginia from Virginia Beach Public Library

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The Dogues

The Dogue Indians Lived in Virginia and Maryland

Huntley Meadows Park. Fairfax County, VA

Brief information about the Dogues, good site to find information
on wildlife, history of the area, pictures
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Haliwa-Saponi

Haliwa-Saponi Tribe Home Page; descendants of the Saponi, Tuscarora and Nansemond Peoples who now live in Halifax and Warren Counties of North Carolina. [Note: Pop-up gambling advertising at this site]

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes Saponi. By John R. Swanton

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The Monacans


Monacan Indian Nation Home Page News, history, special events, more

The Monacan Some historical information; for younger readers.

The Monacans Current information on the tribe; from Virginia's Indian Tribes.

The Indian Tribes of North America. Virginia Includes Monacans. by John R. Swanton

Littlewolf's Page

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The Manahoacs

The Manahoacs

The Indian Tribes of North America. Virginia By John R. Swanton

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The Mattaponi

Mattaponi Indian Reservation Home page; history of the reservation; fish hatchery; more. Webster "Little Eagle" Custalow, Chief

Mattaponi Tribe Information on the tribe; from Virginia's Indian Tribes

The Upper Mattaponi Tribe Current information; from Virginia's Indian Tribes

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The Meherrin

The Indian Tribes of North America Includes the Meherrin. By John R. Swanton

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Tennessee Melungeons

Melungeon Heritage Association
People from Virginia's Saponi Nation have been reported as seeking
refuge with the Tennessee Melungeons. In Virginia, Wise County
history. The Melungeons are a people of mixed racial heritage

Melungeon Research and Links

By Dr. N. Brent Kennedy

Melungeon Heritage Page Many links

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The Nahyssans

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes the Nahyssans. By John R. Swanton

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The Nansemond

The Nansemond Official website of the Nansemond Indian Tribal Association

The Nansemond Indian Tribal Association Home page; history; Tribal Cultural Center; Pow Wow News; Contact the tribe. Barry "Big Buck" Bass, Chief

The Nansemonds Current information; from Virginia's Indian Tribes

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The Nanticokes

Mitsawoket, A Native American Community in 17th Century Delaware Huge file is slow loading. Heite Report traces race relations; Some information on the Nanticokes of Virginia

Along the Indian River Why the Nanticokes now live in Delaware. Q&A. From Global Classroom.

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The Nottoways

Inventory and Assessment of Human Remains from the Hand Site (44SN22), Southampton County, Virginia, in the National Museum of Natural History Some tribes have sought the remains of their people held in museum collections from excavations. The National Museum of the American Indian Act (PL 101-185) has recquired tht museums prove and inventory and assessment of human reamin in their collections. This is a report from the National Museum of Natural History.

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes Nottoways. By John R. Swanton

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The Occaneechi (Saponi)

Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation - Official Site History; Tutelo-Saponi; Occaneechi Town; Events

Searching for Saponi Town

By descendants of the Fort Christanna Indians , Brunswick County, VA

The Saponi Article by Swanton History

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes the Occaneechi. By John R. Swanton

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes the Saponi. By John R. Swanton

Occaneechi Indian History

The Occaneechi Occaneechi: Preserving the Old Ways. Storytelling

Saponi Indian Heritage Tracing family history; brief tribal history

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The Pamunkey

Pamunkey Indian Home Page Official site of the tribe; Chief William P. Miles.

The Unofficial Pamunkey Indian Homepage History, information on the reservation, shad hatchery, museum & gift shop, tribal faces, news, issues, links.

The Pamunkey Current information; from Virginia's Indian Tribes

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The Pocomoke

Pocomoke Indian Nation

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The Powhatan Indians

Virginia's Native American Tribes: The Powhatans [For Younger Readers]

Powhatan Indian Lifeways

The Chesapeake World-System Trade, political/military, ethnogeography

Warclubs in the Protohistoric Southeast

Bibliography of Powhatan Indians

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes Powhatans. By John R. Swanton

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Powhatan Renape Nation [Rappahannocks]

Powhatan Renape Nation (New Jersey) Includes descendants primarily of Virginia's Rappahannocks and Delaware's Nanticokes. History, events, museum, story of Pocahontas

Rappahannock Tribe [Virginia] Information on the tribe

The Rapphannocks Current information; from Virginia's Indian Tribes

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The Shakori

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes Shakori. By John R. Swanton.

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The Shawnee

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes the Shawnee. By John R. Swanton. See also Indians of North America. Tennessee

United Tribe of Shawnee Indians Home page

Shawnee Literature Literature; Constitution of the United Tribe of Shawnee Indians

The Shawnee Some historical information on the Shawnees. From First Nations

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The Tutelo

Indians of North America. Virginia Includes Tutelo. By John R. Swanton.

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The Warraskoyak

The Warraskoyak Tribe From Isle of Wight Historical Review (UK)

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Roanoke Colony

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Good historical information from the National Parks Service.

First English Settlement in the New World History; from North Carolina State Library

Manteo/Roanoke Island, NC Includes brief information on the Raleigh expedition.

Roanoke Island Fesival Park Pictures, as replica of a 16th century sailing vessel; costumes

"Lost Colony" - Cittie of Ralegh - Capital of English America Article and commentary from Virginian-Pilot and commentary

Tales from the Coast Collection of myths & legends; includes The Lost Colony and other stories.

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Jamestown

History of Jamestown From Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Virtual Jamestown Research, teaching & learning project. From University of Virginia

Jamestown Timelines From Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Researchers Say Drought Devastated Early Colonies

Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities We found the fort! Looking for the remains of the Jamestown Fort.

Jamestown History Timelines; information on economy, politics; links; lots of information.

Jamestowne Society History; companies; ancestor search

John Smith: The Proceedings of the English Colony in Virginia (1612)

James Fort Found From Archaeology

Journey to Jamestown Excavating Jamestown from Archaeology

Colonial Dry Spell Drought in the early colonial period. From Archaeology

Jamestown's First Lady Grave of Mistress Forrest, one of the first female English colonists discovered. From Archaeology.

Jamestown - Why Did the English Settle There? From Geography of Virginia. Many links

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Captain John Smith


Related pages: Colonial American Literature. Captain John Smith

Captain John Smith Biography; portrait. From Jamestown Rediscovery.

History of the Northern Neck Includes some of Smith's exploration.

Bay Journal. Article..."Pocahontas Remains a Legend" Considerable biographical materials

Captain John Smith Visits Cecil County Susquehannas (Susquehannocks)

Captain John Smith By Dennis Montgomery. Information including discussion of the Pocahontas myth.

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Pocahontas

Pocahontas Biography & portrait. From Jamestown Rediscovery.

Pocahontas Myth The Powhatan Renape Nation's statement on the myth surrounding Pocahontas and Captain John Smith. Visit the Powhatan Renape Nation.

The Real Pocahontas Biography & review of the movie.

Bay Journal...Article, "Pocahontas Remains a Legend" Considerable biographical information

Pocahontas Saves Captain John Smith [Engraving] From Library of Congress.

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John Rolfe

John Rolfe Biography; colonial adventurer and husband of Pocahontas

John Rolfe From Colonial National Historical Park

Bay Journal...Article, "Pocahontas Remains a Legend" Has biographical information

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Opechancanough

Opechancanough Information on Chief Powhatan's brother who followed him as leader of the Powhatans.

Colonial Days. Jamestown Some information. From Discovery

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William Byrd

The British America; William Byrd in Two Worlds History of Virginia colony; Virginia timelines; Bacon's Rebellion. See also William Byrd Home Page
William Byrd and the History of the Dividing Line (Lesson Plan)
Secondary level; use of satire & irony in his writing;
from Georgia Learning Connections

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Natural History

Native Tech Native American Technology

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Historical Documents

Treaty Between Virginia And The Indians, 1677 Text of the treaty

Tributary Indians of Virginia in 1670 List of tribes and number of bowmen or hunters

Thomas Hariot's A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia E-text. Thomas Hariot served as historian of Raleigh's first English Colony in 1585. His journal forms one of our primary resources about this period. Difficullt to read online. Academic and public libraries may have facsimilies available.

Geography of Virginia Extensive information on natural features, economy, history, natural history

Mapping Virginia Extensive resources including early maps and information on Native Americans. From Geography of Virginia page.

Geography of Virginia. Counties Counties that have disappeared; how counties got started; how they were named. From Geography of Virginia

"Instructions for the Virginia Colony, 1606"

"The First Virginia Charter" (April 10, 1606

"The Second Virginia Charter" (May 23, 1609)

"The Third Virginia Charter" (March 12, 1612)

"An Ordinance and Constitution of the Virginia Company" (24 July 1621

Peace Treaty Between the Assateague and Pocomoke Indians and Charles Calvert, Governor of Maryland 1722 Text; from Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum

Virginia's Counties Map To locate today's counties in Virginia

The North American Indian--The Disappearance of the Race A Popular Fallacy Article written by J. Worden Pope in 1896. Pope argues that the population decline of Native Americans was a fallacy. From University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.

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Directories

Virginia Counil on Indians From Virginia Information Providers Network (VIPNet)

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Government Agencies

Bureau of Indian Affairs Mission, programs, federally recognized tribes, maps, statistics, more

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Virginia Pow Wows

Virginia Pow Wows From Native Audio

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Lesson Plans

History of Virginia Indians. Lesson Plans Social studies, science, language arts, art, technology, curricula, and adult education/professional development resources

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Other Eastern Woodland Tribes: The Southeast

North Carolina's First Colonists: 12,0000 Years Before Roanoke Early history

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Other Eastern Woodland Tribes: The Northeast

First People of Maryland's Eastern Shore The Accohannock Tribe (Maryland)sponsors a festival each year which includes Virginia's tribes. Videotape on culture of Eastern Woodland Indians available.

The Susquehannock Short history of the Susquehannock Indians of Maryland, enemies of Virginia's Powhatans.

Delaware [Lenape] Tribe of Indians Home page of the Lenni Lenape, an Algonquian people of Delaware. Information and excellent pictures.

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Eastern Woodland Indians of the Southeast : Juvenile & Professional Bibliographies

Selected References on the Indians of Virginia, The District of Columbia, and Maryland
General works; historical studies; regional and topical accounts;
site studies. From the Smithsonian

"Indian Virginians" A Resource Guide From Library of Virginia

Indians of the Southeast : Juvenile & Professional Bibliography By Wendy Lanehart & Inez Ramsey

Eastern Woodland Indians of the Northeast : Bibliography By Inez Ramsey

Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Cherokee and Southeastern Indians Primarily adult titles with general books on the Southeastern Indians, as well as the Cherokee

Archaeology : Juvenile Bibliography By Inez Ramsey

Chesapeake Bay : Juvenile Bibliography By Inez Ramsey

The Cherokee Indians By Inez Ramsey

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References & Bibliography

References and Bibliography

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Credits: Picture of a Powhatan brave from Thomas Harriot's Journal. Courtesy of the British Museum.

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Site Administrator: Inez Ramsey, James Madison University
E-mail: ramseyil@jmu.edu