Please Note: The following is a press release describing an event that has already taken place, in 2005
“CHEROENHAKA (NOTTOWAY) INDIAN TRIBE “REGALIA UP” FOR POWWOW“
The Public is invited to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s 4th Annual Powwow and Gathering, a “Celebration of the Green Corn Harvest,” on Saturday and Sunday, July 23rd & 24th, 2005 at the Southampton County Fairgrounds just off Hwy. 58 on New Market Road, Courtland, Virginia. Don’t miss the “Grand Entry / Parade In” at 12 Noon on Saturday and 1:00 PM on Sunday. Bring the whole family and enjoy the Drum(s), Native American Indian Dancers in full Regalia, the children demonstrations and the history of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe and of course the food and drink, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Fish and Chips, Indian Tacos and Indian Fry-bread. As part of the activities on Saturday, July 23, 2005, an Indian Wedding will take place, center circle, in full Iroquoian Tradition.
There will be Native American Arts and Craft Vendors on site with a host of crafts and Native American Jewelry for sale. Powwow Chairperson, Ed “Ghost Feather” Branch and Co-Chair Archie “Otto” Elliott, said they are expecting a lot of people, a lot of dancers, and a great time. “Tourist are calling from as far away as, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and Oklahoma” to inquire about lodging for their visit to our Powwow. The Master of Ceremonies this year will John “Blackfeather” Jeffries of the Occaneechi-Saponi Tribe, Hillsborough, NC and the Head Female Dancer will be Debora “Little Wing” Moore of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe of Virginia. The Head Male Dancer will be Keith “Hides In The Sun” Anderson of the Cherokee Indian Tribe of Northeast Alabama and the Arena Director is Aaron “Swift Eagle” Winston of the Meherrin Indian Tribe, NC.
Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown said there will be a number of Drums this year. The Host Drum will be the Eastern Bull Singers of Virginia and the Guest Drum will be Edisto River Singers of SC. “This will be an exciting two days of celebrating Native Traditions and Culture.” Chief Brown also said that the Archeological Society of Virginia (ASV), Nansemond Chapter, will be at the Pow Wow participating with an “Indian Artifact Identification Day” and should you have “artifacts” bring them with you to the Pow Wow and the ASV members will identify them for you. Chief “Red Hawk” Brown, over the past four years, has become a familiar figure within the school system throughout Southside Virginia and Hampton Roads teaching and sharing American Indian Traditions, Culture and the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s History in full Regalia. He said “the Powwow here in our local area should be viewed as a catalyst in assisting our 3rd and 5th Graders in passing the Native American portion of the Standard of Learning (SOL) Exam. If you have children between the ages of 6 yrs and 12 yrs, especially 3rd , 4th, and 5th, graders, bring them to this hands on / eyes on experience in Native American Traditions, Culture and History.
Of special interest to the General Public is the “Second” publishing of the WASKEHEE (WAS-KE-HEE), a Journal of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia. Waskehee means “To See” in the Nottoway Indian Language, as recorded by Thomas Jefferson in 1820. The journal is a reflection of the tribes past and present. It provides an opportunity for the General Public and our Educators to continue their journey into discovering the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s history, culture and traditions, here in Southampton County Virginia. It includes the second 100 years of our tribal history as written by Red Hawk “Teerheer” in his own words, in his own way, under the theme “Creator My Heart Speaks.” The journal (Waskehee) will be available at the Powwow for a donation of $7.00 to the tribe.
Chief Brown said that the tribe is deeply indebted to our local business in the Franklin / Southampton County Virginia Area, without whose sponsorship the Waskehee could not have been published.”