33rd Green Corn Powwow ‘a stunning success’

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County hosted its 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering at Cattashowrock Town in Courtland on Saturday, July 6.

A tribe news release noted that some 800 attendees and tourists, dancers and native arts and crafts vendors from the East Coast, West Coast and as far away as Europe braved the heat. Those attending the powwow in support of the tribe included U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District; Virginia Sen. Emily Jordan, 17th District; and Virginia Del. Otto Wachsmann, 83rd District.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin submitted a letter welcoming everyone, on behalf of the commonwealth, to the powwow.

“What a wonderful occasion to celebrate your tribe’s rich history and culture and its invaluable role in our commonwealth,” he wrote.

“The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian ‘Green Corn Dance’ Powwow is a special opportunity for tribal and community members to come together to honor the unique heritage of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe,” he continued. “As you celebrate your ancestral traditions with dance, music, arts, crafts, food and cultural exhibits, you honor your heritage and pass it on to future generations while generously sharing it with all Virginians. The long and proud history of the ‘People At The Fork of The Stream’ is woven into the fabric of Virginia’s history, and we are all enriched by your efforts to preserve your traditions while making distinctive contributions to Southampton, Virginia, and the greater commonwealth.

Youngkin closed by stating, “The First Lady and I send our best wishes for a joyous powwow and a blessed and abundant year ahead. Thank you for strengthening the Spirit of Virginia.”

Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown sent kudos and accolades to all tribal citizens, active, adopted and honorary, to include the tribe’s Heritage Foundation Board of Directors for its “dedicated support in making the July powwow a stunning success.”

Tribe officials also issued a special thanks to the Nansemond Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia that has partnered with the tribe, supporting its native powwows since 2005, displaying artifacts dating back some 15,000 years.

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s Corn Harvest Powwow and School Day is scheduled for Nov. 1-3.

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