Cheroenhaka (Nottoway)

9TH ANNUAL POWWOW 2010

2010-12-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

JULY 24TH & 25TH 2010 GREEN CORN HARVEST FESTIVAL
(Picture's Courtesy of Bert Wendel - ASV Nanesemond Chapter)

Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright leading the Grand Entry with Eagle Staff

Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown following Grand Entry Procession

Our Resolution being presented with tribal members present

Presentation of our SJ127 Resolution and HJ171 Resolution for our State Recognition (L to R) - Senator Frank Ruff-(R), Chief Brown,David Brown,Carlus Brown, and Delegate Roslyn Tyler-(D)

Gifts being recieved by Cheif Brown

Yough-Ta-Nund Drum

8TH ANNUAL POWWOW 2009

2009-11-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

GREEN CORN HARVEST POWWOW JULY 25TH & 26TH 2009

Tribal Secretaries left Deborah "Tiger Lily" Motahari and right Cynthia "Water Lily" Brown registering guest dancers.
MC Keith Colston (Lumbee-Tuscarora) making ready for our Grand Entry to The Sacred Circle.
Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright leading the way with the Eagle Staff for The Grand Entry into The Sacred Circle with Color Guard in Tow.
Red Earth Singers
Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright presenting the Eagle Staff for our Celebration.
Tribal Princess Alyson "Falling Star" Wright giving the Iroquois prayer The Creator.

Head Male Dancer Keith "Hides the Sun" Anderson and Head Female Dancer Donna "Water Lily"Richardson.
Powwow Parade with guest and Tribal Members in the Sacred Circle giving praise to the Creator and Mother Earth.
Teresa Preston (VP) of Nansemond Chapter ASV provides info to guest about Archeology facts.
Aztec Dancers with visiting guest.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III and Chief Caulder (Pee Dee) Tribe.
Tribal Jingle Dancer with guest in Sacred Circle.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown interacts with guest in the History Booth.
Laura Ray (ODU Graduate) and Tribal member discussing our Iroquoian Language.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III presents participants with Certificates of Appreciation.
Chief Brown is presented with gifts for our Heritage Museum from Tribal members.
What a Blessing the Creator has Bestowed upon us.

FIRST LANDING PRESENTATION AT FT. STORY

2009-11-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

Tribal members and Cheif Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III receiving donation from The First Landing Heritage Foudation CEO. L to R front row: Beverly "Barefoot" El, Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III, CEO First Landing Heritage Foundation Colette Amici. Back row l to r: Vashti "Sparrow Hawk" Clarke, Bernard "Fire Walker" Hedgepeth, Al "Strong Heart" Suter, Charleen "Four Roses" Suter.

L to R : Colette Amici First Landing Heritage Foundation CEO, Teresa Preston ASV Nansemond Chapter Vice-President, and Bert Wendel

September 18th 2009 Army Promotion of Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Princess

2009-09-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

September 18th 2009 Army Promotion of Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Princess

Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown stands with his daughter Captain Felicia "Moon Flower" Brown, Army Nurse Corps, at her recent Army Promotion Ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington, DC on September 18, 2009. CPT Brown received a B.S. in Nursing from Hampton University, Hampton, VA in 2005. Chief Brown was on board to assist in the pinning of his daughter's new rank. Our Tribe congratulates "Moon Flower."

LAND CLOSING PEACE PIPE CEREMONY : TRIBE RECLAIMS A PIECE OF THE RESERVATION

2009-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

MARCH 2009

CHEROENHAKA(NOTTOWAY)INDIAN TRIBE RECLAIMS RESERVATION LAND

(L-R):FRONT -Mark Remaley of Sustainable Forest LLC,Chief Walt"Red Hawk"Brown,Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle"Wright. 2nd Row (L-R):War Chief William Lamb "Spread Eagle" Howell,Chief Thomas "Two Feathers" Lewis (Honorable Guest of Meherrin Indian Tribe, (HERITAGE FOUNDATION TRIBAL MEMBERS): Deborah "Tiger Lily"Motahari,Teressa "Chenoabuck" Baxter,Beverly"Barefoot"El,Teresa Preston At Large Member.3rd Row-(L-R) Tribal members: Donnie"One Feather" Freeman,Jade"Rain Drop"Hughes,David"Spirit Hawk"Brown,Bernard"Fire Walker" Hedgepeth,Brenda "Sequoia" Taylor,Charleen "Four Roses"Suter. 4th Row-(L-R) Vashti "Sparrow Hawk" Clarke,Kim"Fire Moon" Tart,Lila " Spirit Heart" Hedgepeth,Jimmie "Faith Warrior" Hargrove,Cheryl"Songbird"Hargrove, Council and Heritage Foundation member Cynthia "Water Lily" Brown,and Jay Randolph Asst.Co. Adm. of Southampton County.
Lila "Spirit Heart" Hedgepeth delivers the Iroquoian Prayer and Praises The Great Creator for allowing our People to have access to our Sacred Land Once Again in Hopes of not being taken away from our People .
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown Presenting The Peace Pipe for our Ceremony in Hopes that our Destinguished Guest will recieve it as a Peace offering.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown addresses The Peace Pipe to The Four Winds as Mark Ramaley of Sustainable Forest LLC. and Jay Randolph Asst. Co. Adm. of Southampton Co. looks on.
War Chief William Lamb "Spread Eagle " Howell lights The Peace Pipe while Chief Walt " Red Hawk" Brown draws on the pipe to begin the Peace Offering.
Mark Ramaley of Sustainable Forest LLC. accepts The Peace Pipe offering as War Chief William Lamb "Spread Eagle" Howell and Chief Thomas "Two Feathers " Lewis of Meherrin Indian Tribe look on .
David " Spirit Hawk" Brown accepts The Peace Pipe offering and passes it to other male attendees that will accept this offering .

Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright carries the Eagle Staff leading Tribal members on their Tribal land.
Tribal Women dance their way to Sacred Land.
Members of the NA-MA-WO-CHI Drummers honored The Cheroenhaka(Nottoway)Indian Tribe by drumming on The Great Nadawa Drum .

TRIBAL EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

2009-03-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

2010 PRESENTATIONS

MARCH 13TH 2010

Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown with Jesse the Red Hawk. Jesse, who was injured, was acquired by Bear Path Acres which is an Educational Center located on Hwy 258 in Virginia near the North Carolina line. The tribe has pledged support to upkeep of Jesse.

MAY 2010

VISION HAMPTON ROADS REGIONAL DAY MAY 6TH 2010

CHIEF BROWN AND MISSY SCHMIDT COMMUNICATION MANAGER AT HAMPTON ROADS PARTNERSHIP

L TO R: Tribal Princess Alyson "Falling Star" Wright, Town Cryer, Cheif Brown, Beverly "BareFoot" El,Cynthia "WaterLily" Brown, Teresa Preston (At Large Board Member), Charleen "FourRoses" Suter, Alvin "StrongHeart" Suter.

2009 PRESENTATIONS

OCTOBER 23rd & 24th NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL BY RADFORD TOURISM

Cheif Red Hawk speaks to 200 2nd graders as they watch eagerly and attentively
Tribal Member Donnie " One Feather" Freeman demonstrates the Blow Dart Gun at Bissette Park in Radford VA
Cheif Red Hawk speaks to 400 4th graders at Bissette Park in Radford VA
The 400 4th graders that Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III speaks to at Bissette Park in Radford VA

REVISIT OF HAND SITE JULY 28TH 2009

CHIEF WALT "RED HAWK" BROWN III GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF WHERE THE DIG TOOK PLACE.
"On July 28, 2009 the Hand Site, located along the Nottoway River in Southampton County, Virginia was visited by a group of concerned people with a goal of preserving the site from damage do to future logging operations in that area. The Hand Site was excavated in 1965, 1966 and 1969 revealing the footprint of â€œLong Housesâ€ inside of a palisade village with a cemetery in the center. The site is ethno historically recorded to be the territory occupied by the Iroquoian speaking Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians ca. 1580-85. Organizations represented in the photograph are (left to right) Teresa Preston, Archeological Society of Virginia, Nansemond Chapter; Chief Walter â€œRed Hawkâ€ Brown , Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe; Tom Reed, South Rivers Forestry Consultants, LLC; Harvey Darden and Scott Bachman of the Virginia Department of Forestry.

(Photo and caption by: Bert Wendell, Jr., President, Nansemond Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia) "

FIRST LANDING FOUNDATION HISTORICAL VILLAGES PRESENTATIONS MAY-SEPTEMBER

Tribal members and Cheif Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III receiving donation from The First Landing Heritage Foudation CEO. L to R front row: Beverly "Barefoot" El, Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown III, CEO First Landing Heritage Foundation Colette Amici. Back row l to r: Vashti "Sparrow Hawk" Clarke, Bernard "Fire Walker" Hedgepeth, Al "Strong Heart" Suter, Charleen "Four Roses" Suter.

L to R : Colette Amici First Landing Heritage Foundation CEO, Teresa Preston ASV Nansemond Chapter Vice-President, and Bert WendelL Jr.President of ASV Nansemond Chapter

FEBRUARY

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION

2008 PRESENTATIONS

MARCH
EDITH TURNER AWARD CEREMONY AT LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA

APRIL

RICHNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

AUGUST

OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY PRESENTATION CHIEF WALT "RED HAWK" BROWN STUDENTS AND TRIBAL MEMBERS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HIGH ST. SENIOR CITIZENS PRESENTATION

NOVEMBER

RAWLS LIBRARY COURTLAND VIRGINIA EDITH TURNER HONOR

2007 PRESENTATIONS

APRIL 24TH 2007 RE-ENACTMENT FIRST LANDING PARK VA.BEACH L-R : Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle"Wright,Beverly "Barefoot" El, Chief Walt" Red Hawk" Brown, Chris "ThuunderHeron"Ortiz,andTeresa "FreeSpirit"Skeeter
April 28th 2007 Sussex County Va. Community Day Courthouse
L-R: War Chief "William Lamb "Spread Eagle" Howell, Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright, and Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown Tribal members attend Community Day in Sussex Co. Virginia

MAY NORFOLK VA.CHIEF WALT"REDHAWK"BROWN
AT
ST.PIOUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL NORFOLK VA
Chief Walt "Red Hawk"Brown interacting with a group of students .
Students are amazed at the artifacts that are presented by The Cheroenhaka( Nottoway) Indian Tribe

JUNE 28TH 2007 JANAF LIBRARY NORFOLK VIRGINIA

L-R: Cynthia "Water Lily" Brown, Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown, and Tanterrian "Sunshine" Taylor

Tribal members and Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown interacting together

JUNE LITTLE CREEK LIBRARY
Chief Brown interacts with students

JULY PAUL D. CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE FRANKLIN VA
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown with Archeaologist Russell Darden

AUGUST FT. EUSTIS

SEPTEMBER COURTLAND HERITAGE DAY

HERITAGE DAY PARADE

NOVEMBER CHILDRENS CENTER FRANKLIN VA

NOVEMBER FT.EUSTIS

AMERICAN INDIAN SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, D.C. 11TH Annual Powwow & Inaugural Ball Jan.19th & 20th 2009

2009-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

(L) Gilbert Thompson Office of Economic Developement of The Missisippi Band of The Choctaw Indians with Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown (R)of The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County Virginia at The 11th Annual American Indian Society Inauguaral Ball Hyatt Crystal City Arlington Virginia
Tribal member Michael "Grey Owl" Brown(L) and Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown(R)at The 11th Annual American Indian Society Inaugural Ball Hyatt Crystal City Arlington Virginia
American Indian Society Washington, D.C. 11th Annual Powwow Hyatt Crystal City Arlington Virginia and dancers in Grand Entry Procession
AIS of Washington, D.C. 11th Annual American Indian Powwow in Washington D.C. Grand entry with flags and staff in procession
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown in foreground during Grand Entry Circle at the AIS of Washington D.C. 11th Annual American Indian Powwow in Washington,D.C.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk"Brown and Tribal Member Michael "Grey Owl"Brown at The American Indian Society Powwow in Washington D.C. Members of The Alaska Raven Dance Group (L) Apsenaquat and (R) Teresa Germain
Tribal Member Michael "Grey Owl " Brown and Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown attend the Inauguration Ceremony of the President and Vice President of the United States for Barack Obama and Joe Biden on behalf of The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County Virginia . Thanks to Silver Tickets recieved from Senator Jim Webb
Silver Ticket for entrance to the Inauguaration
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown holding his Silver Ticket for The Inauguaration
Can you find the Chief ? OOPS! Lost in the crown of nearly 2 million people

Cheroenhaka(Nottoway)Inter-Tribal Fall Powwow 2008 Nottoway Co. Va.

2008-12-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

The beginning for our Grand Entry into The Sacred
Circle to give thanks to The Great Creator

Head Male Dancer Pernell Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi) Indian Tribe along with Cheroenhaka(Nottoway) Head Teen Jingle Dancer Jade "Rain Drop" Hughes,and other tribal members and visitors
Head Female Dancer Donna "Water Lily"Richardson and Head Male Dancer Pernell Ricardson leading Tribal members and visitors in the Sacred Circle Color Guard leading in the Sacred Circle during Grand Entry
Master of Ceremonies Clark Stewart
Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright and Tribal Member Donnie Freeman
Host Drum Yough-ta-nund and Guest Drum Falling Water
VIP Dancer Registration with tribal members working
Arena Director Thomas "Two Feathers" Lewis and Head Female Dancer Donna Richardson of The Meherrin Indian Tribe along with Head Male Dancer Pernell Richardson Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe and Tribal Princess of The Chickahominy Indian Tribe
Prince David "Slow Turtle" Brown, Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown, and Chickahominy Princes with Tribal member T.J. "Rolling Thunder" Hewett
Head Female Jingle Dancer and Head Male Dancer with Head Teen Jingle Dancer
Head Male Dancer showing his finery with Head Teen Jingle Dancer following
Tribal members and guest in the Sacred Circle
Three Chiefs ,Chief Walt"Red Hawk Brown , Chief Thomas "Two Feathers" Lewis (Meherrin Indian Tribe) and Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) War Chief William "Spread Eagle" Lamb Howell
Tribal Members with Guest in Sacred Circle
Chief Walt "Red Hawk"Brown relates Tribal History to the Audience
Tribal members leading in the Sacred Circle
Head Teen Jingle Dancer Jade Hughes, Head Teen Male Dancer David Brown , Head Female Jingle Dancer Donna Richardson , and Head Male Dancer Pernell Richardson
Fancy Shawl Dancers
Thomas Winn Native Wood Carver Powwow Vendor (Native Driftwood Thomas Winn Wood Carver)
Aztec Dancers Mexico City
Tribal Member Angus Hines looks on

7th Annual Pow Wow 2008

2008-09-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

Color Guard making ready for The Grand Entry into
the Sacred Circle.
Vice-Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" leading Color Guard into The
Sacred Circle looking proud and standing tall.
Head Female dancer Donna "Water Lily" Richardson and
Head Male dancer Keith "Hides The Sun" Anderson leading tribal members
and visiting guest into The Sacred Circle .
Prince David "Slow Turtle" Brown and Chief Red Hawk following
in harmony with The Great Creator watching.
Head Female dancer and Head Male dancer with Rickie
"Two Beavers" Boone following with tribal members and
guest.

Guest and tribal members praising The Creator
and Mother Earth for all that has been given to them
gracefully and abundantly.

Guest and Tribal women feeling the spirit.

Visiting Chief James Caulder and Vice-Chief Ben Thompson
of the Pee Dee Tribe of South Carolina standing with our Color
Guard.

Tribal women and chidren showing respect in The
Sacred Circle.

MC Keith Colston (Tuscarora-Lumbee) of the Maryland
Council Indian Affairs in the drum arbor.
Veterans being honored and praised for their bravery and
fighting for our freedom.

Head Female and Head Male Dancer leading Chief Red Hawk
and Chief James Caulder with tribal member and guest

Tribal Jingle Dancer.

Tribal members and guest dancing.

Aztec Dancers from Mexico.
Our Great Chief Red Hawk explaining our Waskehee
Journal to the audience.
Chief Walt"Red Hawk"Brown accepting Tribal Proclamation Recognition from Supervisor Carl Faison with Tribal Council and Members looking on. Proclamation issued by Southampton Co. Board of Supervisors.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown,Supervisor Carl Faison
and Vice-Chief Ellis"Soaring Eagle"Wright accepting the Tribal Recognition Proclamation from The Southampton Co. Board of Supervisors.
Chief Red Hawk with Hope Elliot Representative
of Virginia Senator Jim Webb.
Rickie "Two Beavers" Boone with Daughter.
Arena Director Eagle Eye standing guard.

Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Heritage Foundation

2008-03-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

Recipients of Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Heritage Foundation
Book Scholarship Award. L to R: Courtney "Wild Flower" Boone
(VA. State Univ.),Brittany "Day Lily" Boone (VA. State Univ.),
Allison "Falling Star" Wright accepting on behalf of Erica "White Fawn"
Wright (Emory & Henry Univ.),Sherrie "Bright Star" Baxter ( Paul D. Camp
Comm. College). Back Row : Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal
Heritage Foundation Board Members : L to R: Deborah "Tiger Lily" Motahari, Beverly "Barefoot" El, Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright Vice-Chairman,
Terresa"Chenoabuck" Baxter, Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown Chairman of The Board. Not Shown in Photo: Scholarship Recipients: Erika " Swan Dancing " Archer(Univ. of Maryland), Waleshia "Dancing Moon" Hunt (Virginia Union Univ.).

NOTTOWAY COUNTY POW WOW

2007-12-03T20:06:00.000-08:00

Head Female Donna "Water Lily" Richards with Head Male
Dancer Keith "Hides the Sun" Anderson with Chief Walt
"Red Hawk" Brown III at the entrance of the Sacred
Circle.

Head Female Dancer Donna " Water Lily " Richards and Head Male Dancer
Keith "Hides the Sun" Anderson .

Donna "Water Lily's" Daughters doing Jingle Dance with Cheroenhaka Tribal Members

Visiting Drum Katanah Jr.

MONACAN POW WOW

2007-12-02T18:03:00.001-08:00

Prince David "Slow Turtle" Brown and oldest Tribal
member Edna "Morning Star" Butler and Vice Chief
Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright.

OCCONEECHEE POW WOW

2007-12-02T17:42:00.001-08:00

Chief ask if anyone needs a ride to the Pow Wow.
Al Sutor and Prince David "Slow Turtle" Brown.
Tribal members visiting .

Jade and Beverly dancing in the circle.

SUSSEX COUNTY POW WOW WAKEFIELD 4-H CENTER

2007-12-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

Aztec Dancers Louis Salinas left with wife to the right.

Prince David "Slow Turtle" Brown , Chief Walt "Red Hawk"
Brown's Son dancing in the Sacred Circle.

Host Drum Edisto

Visiting Drum Young Wolf with Tribal Members Charlene
"Four Roses" Suter standing left , Al "Strong Heart" Suter
sitting left in front of Four Roses,and Chris "Heron" Ortiz. L to R: Chief Rudy Hall, Chief Thomas Lewis,Chief Walt Brown,
Vice Chief Ellis Wright , War Chief William Lamb Howell.
Chief Walt "Red Hawk"Brown explains the Peake Belt.
Fancy Shawl Dancer
Head Female Dancer Tina Mullins

L to R: Vice Chief Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright, Katrina Big
Mountain of The Cree Indian Nation, Chief Walt"Red Hawk"
Brown, and War Chief William "Spread Eagle" Howell.

Tribal Color Guard with Vice Chief Ellis"Soaring Eagle" Wright leading Tribal Members into the sacred circle.

5th Annual Pow Wow July 2006

2007-11-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

Chief Brown and Tribal members stand before
the Great Na Da Wa Drum .

Tribal women in Traditional Red and Blue Match

Coats. Dancers at Pow Wow.
Pow Wow Dancers.

CHEROENHAKA(NOTTOWAY) 6TH ANNUAL POW WOW JULY 2007

2007-09-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

MC Keith Colston in the Drum Arbor with Visiting Drum.

Cheroenhaka Color Guard led by Vice Chief Soaring Eagle , Arena Director to right is Chief Thomas "two feathers" Lewis (Meherrin Indian Tribe)

United Kingdom Dignatary guest at 6th Annual Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Pow Wow L to R :
Rima Begum, Mandy Molyneux(chaperone for the organization SPLASH),Voon Ly, Shaheda Begum , Lorna Scully,Angela Benjamin (back center. The ladies also presented a plaque to Chief Walt "Red Hawk " Brown from the Mayor of Tower Hamlets (London,England).

Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown ,and Chief Ray Caulder
during Grand Entry.

Head Female dancer Emma "Raven" Kelsey and Head Male dancer
Keith "Hides the Sun " Anderson .

Tribal women during Grand Entry.

Head female Emma"Raven" Kelsey and Head male dancer
Keith "Hides the Sun" Anderson.

2007-02-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

Cheroenhaka Nottoway 2006 Pow Wow Photos

L - R Front Row: Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown; Delegate Roslyn Tyler, 75th House of Delegates; Chief Harold "Buster" Hatcher, WACCAMAW Indian Tribe, S.C.; Master of Ceromonies, John "Blackfeather" Jeffires.

L- R Back Row: Chief Gene Norris, Lower Eastern Cherokee, S.C.; Chief James Caulder, Pee Dee Indain Tribe, S.C.; Chief Louie Chavis, Beaver Creek Indians. S. C.

YanTaNaugh Drum in the foreground and Eastern Bull Drum in the background.

Donna "Water Lily" Richardson and Keith "Hides the Sun" Anderson (Head Female and Head Male Dancers at the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indain 5th Annual Powwow

The Great Nadawa Drum (Blessed at the Powwow) David Perrt (Tuscarora and Drum Maker) and Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown stand over the drum.

Fancy shawl dancer

Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Peake Belt & Pipe Ceremony

2007-01-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

Bales of hay were arranged in a circle and covered with American Indian Blankets along the bank of the Nottoway River on the grounds of the Southampton County Courthouse. Old Glory and the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal Flag waved in the breeze, as more than 150 participants and spectators; to include, Native Americans from others tribes watched Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, Vice Chief Ellis “Soaring Eagle” Wright and War Chief William Lamb “Spread Eagle” Howell smudge and bless the circle at the beginning of a recently held Peake (wampum/peace) Belt and Pipe Ceremony.

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia, conducted the ethno-historic Peake (Wampum / Peace) Belt and Pipe Ceremony at the Southampton County Courthouse Grounds, on the banks of the Nottoway River (Na-da-wa Jo-ke), Courtland, Virginia. It was a celebration of the historic ties that the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe has with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the surrounding counties of Nottoway, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight and Southampton; to include its neighboring Meherrin Indian Tribe. Meherrin Indian Chief Thomas “Two Feathers” Lewis and Board of Supervisors representing the government of their respective counties took part in the ceremony as a symbol of their ethno-historic relationship with the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe beginning in 1607/08 in Nottoway County, and pass the Sacred Peace Pipe. The Peake Belt and Pipe Ceremony featured native dancers in full regalia, drumming and singing all arrayed along the banks of the Nottoway River – as Chief Red Hawk Brown referred to in his native tongue (dar-sun-ke) calling the Nottoway River, “Onos-chi-oke” or great river. The ceremony parallel the ethno-historic Thanksgiving relationship of exchanging gifts that Native People had with the Colonials.

As part of the Ceremony Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown and other tribal leaders of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County, Virginia presented to the Board of Supervisor Chairmen from Nottoway, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight and Southampton Counties a Peake (Wampum) Belt as a symbol of the peaceful relationship that the tribe has had with state governments throughout history. The Peake Belt consisted of 500 Wampum Shells depicting the tribe’s colors, Red, White and Cobalt Blue. Chief Brown gave credit to George Whitewolf of the Monacan Indian Tribe for the outstanding job he did in making the Wampum Belts. On behalf of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Council, Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown presented Meherrin Indian Chief Thomas “Two Feathers” Lewis with a peace arrow marked with three rings of color bearing the symbol of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe. The peace arrow had an “Eagle Feather” attached to it. After the Wampum Belts were presented, all of the participating government officials were invited to take part in the sacred Pipe Ceremony. After passing of the sacred pipe, the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe was presented with “Proclamations of Official Tribal Recognition” from the five counties in attendance. The five “Proclamations of Official Tribal Recognition” recognizing the each counties historic relationship with the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe were signed by the Board of Supervisor Chairman and bore the seal of their respective county.

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe has a rich historic relationship with the counties of Nottoway, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight and Southampton. The relationship / interaction with said counties began in 1607/ 08 in what is not Nottoway County. On / about 1643 the tribe relocated to what is now Sussex County and lived at two villages – Rowanty or Chounteroute Town and Tonnatorah. On/about 1684 the tribe moved to the mouth of the Assamoosick Swamp in what is now Surry County to a town call Cattashowrock, and in 1694 they moved further down the Assamoosick Swamp in to what was then Isle of Wight County - Old Nottoway Town - in the area of Sebrel and Courtland, Virginia. Of course the relationship with Isle of Wight County lasted until Southampton County was annexed in 1749.

Of special note the Peake Belt and Pipe ceremony was Co-hosted by the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe and Southampton County, as a lead in for Jamestown 2007 activities, an offered a wide range of opportunity for other counties to starlight similar events as part of their Jamestown 2007 Activities; such as, Public Marts or Fairs as authorized in Section VIII of LT. Gov. Spotswood's Treaty with The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians done and signed at Williamsburg the 27th of February 1713, Quote:

VIII

"For the conveniency of the said Indians and for the more regular carrying on the trade, there shall be a public Mart or Fair at their Settlement, as lest Six Times in a year, where it shall be free for all her Majesty's Subjects to resort with their wares and merchandizes, and to exchange the same with the Indians for their skins, Furrs, and other Commoditys: and Magistrates shall be appointed to attend a the said fairs to see the trade justly managed to enquire into any abuses or injurys offered to the Indians by any of the English residing among them and to administer justice in al Controversies that may arise between either party, concerning the same.."

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, Southampton County Virginia will celebrate its 6th Annual Powwow and Gathering, “A Celebration of the Green Corn Harvest –Key-to-ok-ney,” on Saturday and Sunday, July 21st and 22nd, 2007 at the Southampton County Fairgrounds, Courtland, Virginia. For additional information call Chief Brown at (757)562-7760.

Peake Belt and Pipe Ceremony Photos

2007-01-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

Southampton County Courthouse Grounds on the Bank of the Nottoway River. Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Peake Belt and Pipe Ceremony, November 25, 2006. Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown blesses the scared Peace Pipe. L-R: Vice Chief Ellis “Soaring Eagle” Wright, Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, War Chief William Lamb “Spread Eagle” Howell.

Blessing the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Sacred Peace Pipe. L-R: Vice Chief Ellis “Soaring Eagle” Wright, Cynthia “Water Lily” Brown, Erika “White Fawn” Wright, Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, Meherrin Indian Chief Thomas “Two Feather” Lewis, War Chief William Lamb “Spread Eagle” Howell.

Governmental Officials from Nottoway, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight and Southampton Counties take part in the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Peake Belt and Pipe Ceremony, November 25, 2006 – Southampton County Courthouse Grounds, on the bank of the Nottoway River.

County Administrator, Mike Johnson passes the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Peace Pipe to Southampton County Board of Supervisor Moses Wyche and Supervisor Anita Felts.

Chief Brown prepares to present Peake (Wampum) Belt to Southampton County Board of Supervisor Chairman Dallas Jones. L-R: Vice Chief Ellis “Soaring Eagle” Wright, Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, Meherrin Indian Chief Thomas “Two Feather” Lewis, County Administrator Mike Johnson, Southampton County Board of Supervisor Chairman Dallas Jones, Supervisor Moses Wyche, Supervisor Anita Felts.

Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown presents Peake (Wampum) Belt to Southampton County Board of Supervisor Chairman Dallas Jones.

Southampton County Board of Supervisor Chairman Dallas Jones and County Administrator Mike Johnson presents Proclamation of Tribal Recognition to Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown

County Administrator Mike Johnson presents Proclamation to Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown declaring November 25, 2006 as “Cheroenhaka Day”.

Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown (center) prepares to present a “Peace Arrow with Eagle Feather” to Meherrin Indian Chief Thomas “Two Feathers” Lewis (right center).

Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown presents “Peace Arrow” to Meherrin Indian Chief Thomas “Two Feathers” Lewis. Chief Lewis was the honored guest at the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Peake Belt and Pipe Ceremony.

Nottoway County Board of Supervisor Chairman Sidney Locke and County Administrator Ronald Roark presents Proclamation of Tribal Recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, November 25, 2006.

Sussex County Board of Supervisor Chairman William Collins and County Administrator Mary Jones presents Proclamation of Recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, November 25, 2006.

Surry County Board of Supervisor Chairman Reginald O. Harrison presents Proclamation of Recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, November 25, 2006.

Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisor Chairman Thomas J. Wright presents Proclamation of Recognition to Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe, November 25, 2006.