Suffolk City Council returns land to Nansemond Indian Nation

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — More than seventy acres of land in Suffolk has been returned to the Nansemond Indian Nation.

Suffolk City Council voted to deed the property known as Mattanock Town to the tribe. According to the tribe, they were displaced from the land by colonist who arrived in the 17th century.

For decades, the tribe has been trying to regain the land they consider to be their cultural heart.

“The sacred land where our ancestors once thrived has finally returned back to us. We celebrate this day and look forward to continue conserving and deepening our physical and spiritual connection to the land and Nansemond River,” said Nansemond Indian Nation Chief Keith Anderson.

The tribe plans to restore the land through conservation and education.

This is an incredibly exciting time for the Nansemond Indian Nation, an exceptional steward of Mattanock Town. We applaud the Suffolk City Council’s return of the native land of the Nansemond Indian Nation to the Tribe, a critical member of our community,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Hampton Roads Director Christy Everett. “The Tribe and so many partners have worked hard for years to restore the heavily damaged site, and we look forward to continue to work with the Tribe to make their conservation vision a reality.”

Nansemond Indian Nation’s annual Pow Wow is scheduled to be held on property Aug. 17 and 18.

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