Column: Virginia tribes seek spot of recognition at state capitol
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Filed Under:
Opinion
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Recognition
"After witnessing the unveiling of the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial two years ago, Chief Kenneth Adams of the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe looked around Capitol Square in Richmond and took stock.
The new monument, which depicted the struggle of black Virginians against segregation, drove home a reality: "There was nothing there representing the fact that for thousands of years, Indians had resided at that very point, that very spot," Adams said.
"I was so impressed and amazed and so pleased to be there when the civil-rights memorial was unveiled that it just started stirring up some thoughts within me."
Adams stirred up others, including Del. Christopher K. Peace, R-Hanover, who agreed to sponsor the legislation that established the
Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission to come up with a state Capitol site where Virginia's American Indian heritage would be celebrated.
On Monday, a Virginia delegation of 17 people visited the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington to gather ideas about what they want the memorial to say before seeking proposals from artists.
About 20,000 American Indians and Alaska natives live in Virginia, including about 5,000 who are members of tribes indigenous to the state."
Get the Story:
Michael Paul Williams: At long last, Virginia's Capitol may honor Virginia's Indians
(The Richmond Times-Dispatch 9/2)
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