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Hi,
I’ve been working at William and Mary to make a Native American Student Association and hopefully make the campus more aware of contemporary Native American culture and issues. Recently the president of Students for a Democratic Society (a reincarnation 🙂 asked me to speak at their meeting about issues facing local Native American tribes (in Williamsburg and the surorunding area). My tribe is not from this area, however, and I was wondering if there was anyone who could clue me in to the important issues for tribes around this area. I think as part of their organization they want to work within the communities and try to help out. Of course this is all tentative, but I was just wondering if anyone knew of anything I should definitely mention. Anyway, thanks, and hope you’re all enjoying the amazing weather!
-saloli
I was pretty familiar with W&M about 10-12 years ago when my son and his wife graduated there, but have been out of touch since. Seems to me, though, a point of contact for you might be the (nearby) Jamestown 400th anniversary celebration committee. That’s just next year, so their plans are probably well underway. I’d guess they have whatever passes for a local Indian population well identified — either to participate, or to demonstrate against them, as the case may be. Your SDS crowd would presumably opt for the latter…
I don’t believe there’s any evidence the local population is, or was in 1607, Eastern Siouan, however. Maybe Powhatan descendants? They have been mentioned, here in Saponitown.
When I say “local population” of course I don’t mean W&M students, very few of whom are really local, except for four years.
There was quite a bit of archaeological work done in that area, especially back in the days when Ivor Noel Hume (author of Here Lies Virginia, etc.) was head of the department there at Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. Some of it perforce dealt with the local Indians — though CW was primarily interested in “historical” archaeology, rather than that of the aboriginal cultures. Anyway, CW has a good archaeology lab, there; and so does the National Park Service (at Yorktown Battlefield). There may well be others — I think the Mariners Museum has a lab, again not specializing in native cultures around there, but well aware of them. I assume you are more interested in local Indians who remain alive, but, I just mention it.
I would P.M. Itconani here on Saponitown he’s a wealth of information, look for him in the members list, you can also
go over to Yahoo Groups and check out Virginia First People, some members of the VA tribes are on that site. Also, the Virginia Council on Indians. Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, Anthropology, W&M, is also member at large Virginia Council on Indians.
http://www.wm.edu/anthropology/faculty/Moretti.html
posted by Saponi1
Thank you both very much. Professor Moretti-Langholtz is actually my teacher and she has been very helpful in creating the Student Association. And that is a very good idea about the Jamestown project. Thanks again!
-saloli
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