Virginia Indian nations come together for pow-wow

SLIDESHOW: Pow-wow

A brief rain shower yesterday afternoon delayed the start of the Virginia Indian Nations Pow-wow but did nothing to dampen the spirits of those in attendance.

Sounds from drums rolled across the Chickahominy Tribal Grounds, drowning out the staccato beat of raindrops pattering on overhead tents. Some Native Americans dressed in tribal regalia and danced in place under the tents.

Drum groups Falling Water and Southern Eagle laid down the sounds -- one a Northern style, and the other a Southern style -- with large round drums and voices lifted in song that kept the crowd of several hundred people energized despite the 30-minute shower.

It was just another way to impart their tribal heritages with non-natives.

"The weather hasn't been kind to us. People still come out and we welcome the opportunity to share," said Stephen Adkins, chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe.

All around the tribal grounds in Charles City County were opportunities to learn about Virginia Indian cultures during the second day of the pow-wow.

Pow-wows are a long-standing tradition in American Indian culture, as a "gathering of nations to discuss things. Trying to get along with each other [and] trying to have social time," said Glen Canaday, first assistant chief of the Chickahominy tribe.

Ringing the outside of the grounds were vendors selling different types of wares -- silver jewelry, dreamcatchers, deerskin bags and arrowheads.

Other vendors had spears and lances, such as an ownership lance that is traditionally placed in front of a lodge.

In the arena, a circle at the center of the grounds, dances were performed for the audience. One of the last dances was nine males performing a warrior dance. They moved forward, but never backward. Their heads were in constant motion, being aware of everything around them.

Money from this weekend's event is used to offset the costs of the six Virginia Indian tribes' efforts to secure federal recognition. The tribes are: the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Monacan, Upper Mattaponi, Nansemond and Rappahannock.

Chief Kenneth Adams of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe in King William County, is optimistic that the federal recognition the tribes seek will comes this year.

"We hope the recognition occurs this year, and we are well on the way," said Adams. "We have some great things that are happening in Congress. We all know Congress doesn't work at the speed we'd like, but we're ready for some powerful things."

But until that day arrives, the members of the Indian nations strive to keep their cultures alive and share it with future generations of natives and non-natives alike.

"As a native person, I believe right will prevail, and that's kind of what kept us going for all these many years -- 400 years of striving to maintain our identity and to educate people about who we are," said Adkins.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .