Dancers celebrate at the Nansemond Indian Nation powwow in August.

Shutterstock.com (background); Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune Publishing (powwow)

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A Joyful Gathering

After hundreds of years, the Nansemond Indian Nation finally had their ancestors’ land returned to them.

November 4, 2024
By Talia Cowen

As You Read, Think About: Why is Mattanock Town important to the Nansemond? 

Sunlight shimmers on the wide river. The scents of barbecue and fry bread fill the air. The sounds of drums and singing echo across a grassy field. Welcome to the Nansemond Indian Nation’s annual powwow.

Powwows are gatherings where Indigenous, or Native, peoples come together to celebrate their cultures. They dance, sing, eat, and tell stories while visiting with family and friends. 

The Nansemond have held a powwow on the same site in Virginia for more than 30 years. It’s a sacred place where their ancestors lived for centuries. 

But this past August, the powwow and the site felt more special than ever. That’s because the land was officially returned to the Nansemond Indian Nation earlier this year.

The sun shines on the wide river. The smells of barbecue and fry bread fill the air. The sounds of drums and singing echo across a field. Welcome to the Nansemond Indian Nation’s yearly powwow. 

Powwows are gatherings where Indigenous, or Native, peoples celebrate their cultures. They dance, sing, eat, and tell stories with family and friends. 

The Nansemond have held a powwow on the same site in Virginia for more than 30 years. It’s a sacred place. It’s where their ancestors lived for hundreds of years. 

But this past August, the powwow and the site felt more special than ever. That’s because the land was officially returned to the Nansemond Indian Nation earlier this year. 

Stolen Land

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Indigenous peoples have lived in what is now Virginia for more than 15,000 years. In the early 1600s, the Nansemond people lived in bustling villages along the Nansemond River. They formed a deep connection to the land that continues today. It’s where they built their homes and sacred burial sites. They farmed corn, gathered oysters, and fished in the river. (The word Nansemond means “fishing point” in the Coastal Algonquian language.) 

English settlers arrived in the area in 1607 and established the Jamestown colony. Violent clashes soon broke out between the colonists and local Indigenous groups, including the Nansemond. Over the next few decades, some members of the Nansemond adapted to the English way of life and lived among the settlers. Others joined with neighboring tribes in wars against the settlers.

By 1677, English colonists controlled most of the riverfront. The Nansemond had been forced to move to surrounding areas. It would be hundreds of years before they would get their homeland back.

Indigenous peoples have lived in what is now Virginia for more than 15,000 years. In the early 1600s, the Nansemond people lived in villages by the Nansemond River. They formed a deep connection to the land. It’s where they built their homes and sacred burial sites. They farmed corn, gathered oysters, and fished in the river. (The word Nansemond means “fishing point” in the Coastal Algonquian language.)

English settlers arrived in the area in 1607. They established the Jamestown colony. Violent conflicts soon began between the settlers and local Indigenous groups. Over the years, some members of the Nansemond lived among the settlers. Others joined with nearby tribes in wars against them. 

By 1677, the settlers controlled most of the riverfront. They forced the Nansemond to move to surrounding areas. The Nansemond would not get their homeland back for centuries. 

Courtesy of Nansemond Indian Nation

Tribal Chief Keith F. Anderson of the Nansemond Indian Nation

Home Again

For the past few decades, the Nansemond Indian Nation worked to regain a 71-acre patch of land along the river. That area, called Mattanock Town, was the site of one of their villages in the 1600s. Though the Nansemond have held their powwows there each year, the land was officially owned by the city of Suffolk, Virginia. In May, the city council voted to finally return Mattanock Town to the tribe.

Keith F. Anderson is the tribal chief of the Nansemond Indian Nation. He says their goal is to conserve the land as their ancestors did for centuries. 

“This is a very special place,” he explains. “We have a direct responsibility to protect the land and to keep it in its best health.”

For the past few decades, the Nansemond Indian Nation worked to regain an area of land by the river. That 71-acre area is called Mattanock Town. It was the site of one of their villages in the 1600s. The Nansemond have held their powwows there each year. But the land was officially owned by the city of Suffolk, Virginia. In May, the city council voted to finally return Mattanock Town to the tribe.

Keith F. Anderson is the tribal chief of the Nansemond Indian Nation. He says they plan to conserve the land as their ancestors did for centuries.

“This is a very special place,” explains Anderson. “We have a direct responsibility to protect the land and to keep it in its best health.”

Courtesy of Nansemond Indian Nation

Nathaniel Bass (left) and his family at this year’s powwow

Time to Celebrate

A few months after the city council vote, the Nansemond Indian Nation celebrated at their annual powwow. Twelve-year-old Nathaniel Bass has been going to the powwow since he was a baby. This year, he was happy to see a record crowd of nearly 7,000 people join the celebration and learn about Nansemond culture. Nathaniel hopes even more Native kids will participate in the powwow in the future.

“We keep doing it so our kids will keep doing it and keep our culture alive,” he says.

A few months after the city council vote, the Nansemond Indian Nation held their yearly powwow. Twelve-year-old Nathaniel Bass has been going to the powwow since he was a baby. This year, he was happy to see a record crowd. Nearly 7,000 people joined the celebration and learned about Nansemond culture. Nathaniel hopes even more Native kids participate in the powwow in the future.

“We keep doing it so our kids will keep doing it and keep our culture alive,” he says.

A Long Wait

grandriver/Getty Images

A member of the Navajo Nation shows an “I Voted” sticker.

The mistreatment of Indigenous peoples that began in the 1600s continued long after the United States became a country. Many weren’t given the chance to become U.S. citizens until 100 years ago. The Indian Citizenship Act was signed into law on June 2, 1924. It granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. 

But it was still up to the states to decide who had the right to vote. As a result, many Native people were prevented from participating in elections for decades. 

This year, more than 5 million Native people could be eligible to vote. Experts say Indigenous voters may play a key role in electing the next president. 

The mistreatment of Indigenous peoples that began in the 1600s continued long after the United States became a country. Many weren’t given the chance to become U.S. citizens until 100 years ago. The Indian Citizenship Act was signed into law on June 2, 1924. It granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. 

But it was still up to the states to decide who had the right to vote. As a result, many Native people were prevented from participating in elections for decades. 

This year, more than 5 million Native people could be eligible to vote. Experts say Indigenous voters may play a key role in electing the next president. 

1. Based on the article, what happens at a powwow?

2. Why does the author use the subheading “Stolen Land”? What details in that section help you understand the subheading’s meaning?

3. According to the sidebar, “A Long Wait,” why were many Native people prevented from voting for decades even after the Indian Citizenship Act was passed?

1. Based on the article, what happens at a powwow?

2. Why does the author use the subheading “Stolen Land”? What details in that section help you understand the subheading’s meaning?

3. According to the sidebar, “A Long Wait,” why were many Native people prevented from voting for decades even after the Indian Citizenship Act was passed?

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