Students will learn about Virginia’s State Recognized tribes.
For centuries, numerous Indigenous Tribes called the land we now call Virginia, “home.” And for centuries, Indigenous people have been stating, “WE’RE STILL HERE!” It is a common misconception that there are no Indigenous people in Virginia. In this unit, students will dive into the rich culture and history of State and Federally Recognized Tribes who still inhabit their ancestral lands of what is now Virginia.
Virginia’s State-Recognized Tribes: Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Rappahannock, Upper Mattaponi, Nansemond, Monacan, Cheroenhaka Nottaway, Nottoway, & Patawomeck.
Virginia’s Federally Recognized Tribes: Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Monacan, Nansemond, Pamunkey, Rappahannock, and Upper Mattaponi.
Lesson 1: Meet the Tribes
Teacher Tips
Watch the VDOE YouTube Video (25:08), Meet the Tribe before showing to students. Spend some time looking through the eleven State Recognized Tribes’ websites prior to the lesson to learn more about tribes you may not be familiar with.
Essential Questions
What Indigenous tribes are located in Virginia?
Objectives
Students will learn about the Indigenous tribes in Virginia.
Key Vocabulary
Indigenous [in-dij-uh-nuhs]: Relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants.
State Recognition: The formal declaration of recognition to an American Indian tribe located in Virginia by the Commonwealth.
Federal Recognition: a legal term meaning that the United States recognizes a government-to-government relationship with a Tribe and that a Tribe exists politically in a “domestic dependent nation” status. Federally-recognized Tribes possess certain inherent powers of self-government and entitlement to certain federal benefits, services, and protections because of the special trust relationship.
Context, Activities, and Exercises
INTRODUCTION: Students will complete a KWL Chart regarding Virginia’s Indigenous Peoples. It is recommended to take a moment and facilitate a whole group discussion about what students already know about Virginia’s Tribes and what they would like to know about Tribes.
The teacher will show The Virginia Indians: Meet the Tribes YouTube Video (25:08). Teachers may opt to have students complete the Student Activity Book while watching the video.
After the video, review the Student Activity Book, if students completed it. Continue the discussion with the KWL chart and discuss what students have learned about the tribes.
Activity: “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Game
The Full Slides for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Game are here as a Google Slides presentation.
Exit Ticket:
Day 1 Exit Ticket – if needed. Document has been set up for the teacher to print and cut strips of paper. Teachers may opt to have students name a tribe on a scrap sheet of paper or notebook paper.
Citations and Recommended Reading
Definitions:
Indigenous: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/indigenous
State Recognition: https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/virginia-indians/state-recognized-tribes/#:~:text=State%20recognition%20is%20the%20formal,and%20signed%20by%20the%20Governor.
Federal Recognition: https://www.justice.gov/otj/about-native-americans#:~:text=What%20does%20the%20term%20’Federally,%22domestic%20dependent%20nation%22%20status.
Tribal Websites:
- Chickahominy
- Chickahominy – Eastern Tribe
- Cheroenhaka (Nottoway)
- Mattaponi
- Nansemond
- Nottoway
- Pamunkey
- Patawomeck
- Rappahannock
- Upper Mattaponi
Library of Virginia: https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/ResourcesOnVirginiaIndians.pdf
Lesson 2: Talk about the Tribes
Teacher Tips
Watch the VDOE YouTube Video (25:08), Meet the Tribe before showing to students. Spend some time looking through the eleven State Recognized Tribes’ websites prior to the lesson to learn more about tribes you may not be familiar with.
If needed, continue this lesson with as much time as you need for students to continue work on their podcasts. Teachers, use your discretion for the allotted time to work on projects and due date.
Essential Questions
What Indigenous tribes are located in Virginia?
Objectives
Students will learn about the Indigenous tribes in Virginia.
Key Vocabulary
Indigenous [in-dij-uh-nuhs]: Relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants.
State Recognition: The formal declaration of recognition to an American Indian tribe located in Virginia by the Commonwealth.
Federal Recognition: a legal term meaning that the United States recognizes a government-to-government relationship with a Tribe and that a Tribe exists politically in a “domestic dependent nation” status. Federally-recognized Tribes possess certain inherent powers of self-government and entitlement to certain federal benefits, services, and protections because of the special trust relationship.
Context, Activities, and Exercises
Introduce student project – podcast (teachers will choose if students work on a podcast individually or in groups)
Students/groups will choose their tribe and begin research using the template provided: Project Research Questions. Students should use the Tribe’s website to begin their research. Another resource for students to continue their research https://encyclopediavirginia.org/
Additional Activity: Crossword Puzzle and Answer Key
Citations and Recommended Reading
Definitions:
Indigenous: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/indigenous
State Recognition: https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/virginia-indians/state-recognized-tribes/#:~:text=State%20recognition%20is%20the%20formal,and%20signed%20by%20the%20Governor.
Federal Recognition: https://www.justice.gov/otj/about-native-americans#:~:text=What%20does%20the%20term%20’Federally,%22domestic%20dependent%20nation%22%20status.
Tribal Websites:
