Post by blackcrowheart on Jan 6, 2006 13:56:28 GMT -5
History of the Pamunkey Tribe
www.baylink.org/Pamunkey/2fr_history.html
George Major Cook
Chief 1885 - 1930
The history of the Pamunkey Tribe has been recorded by
archaeologist, anthropologist and historians and dates back ten to
twelve thousand years. The actual legal status by the white man's
criteria does not come into being until the 1646 and 1677 treaties
with the King of England. The two major treaties with the Pamunkey
established articles of peace and a land base for the Tribe, later
referred to as a reservation. This reservation exists today.
The Tribe has maintained its own continuing governing body. The
governing body consists of a chief and seven council members elected
every four years. The Chief and Council perform all tribal
governmental functions as set forth by their laws. All of these laws
are governed by the Tribe, itself.
The Pamunkey Tribe has been recognized by the Commonwealth of
Virginia as an Indian Tribe since colonial times. The reservation was
confirmed to the Tribe as early as 1658 by the Governor, the Council,
and the General Assembly of Virginia. The treaty of 1677 between the
King of England, acting through the Governor of Virginia, and several
Indian Tribes including the Pamunkey is the most important existing
document describing Virginia's relationship towards Indian land.
The Pamunkey Indian Reservation, on the Pamunkey river and
adjacent to King William County Virginia, contains approximately 1,200
acres of land, 500 acres of which is wetlands with numerous creeks.
Thirty-four families reside on the reservation and many Tribal members
live in nearby Richmond, Newport News, other parts of the States and
all over the United States.
Today, the Pamunkey Indians are deeply involved in preserving
their surviving culture and natural resources. The Pamunkey Indian
Museum was built in 1979, and three documentary videos have been
produced. All portray the ways of life and history of the people. Much
of the surviving Pamunkey culture is indebted to a subsistence
lifestyle centered around pottery making, fishing, hunting and
trapping. Now as the old ways are passing, the Pamunkey Indians are
still looking to their natural resources as a way to make a living.
www.baylink.org/Pamunkey/2fr_history.html
George Major Cook
Chief 1885 - 1930
The history of the Pamunkey Tribe has been recorded by
archaeologist, anthropologist and historians and dates back ten to
twelve thousand years. The actual legal status by the white man's
criteria does not come into being until the 1646 and 1677 treaties
with the King of England. The two major treaties with the Pamunkey
established articles of peace and a land base for the Tribe, later
referred to as a reservation. This reservation exists today.
The Tribe has maintained its own continuing governing body. The
governing body consists of a chief and seven council members elected
every four years. The Chief and Council perform all tribal
governmental functions as set forth by their laws. All of these laws
are governed by the Tribe, itself.
The Pamunkey Tribe has been recognized by the Commonwealth of
Virginia as an Indian Tribe since colonial times. The reservation was
confirmed to the Tribe as early as 1658 by the Governor, the Council,
and the General Assembly of Virginia. The treaty of 1677 between the
King of England, acting through the Governor of Virginia, and several
Indian Tribes including the Pamunkey is the most important existing
document describing Virginia's relationship towards Indian land.
The Pamunkey Indian Reservation, on the Pamunkey river and
adjacent to King William County Virginia, contains approximately 1,200
acres of land, 500 acres of which is wetlands with numerous creeks.
Thirty-four families reside on the reservation and many Tribal members
live in nearby Richmond, Newport News, other parts of the States and
all over the United States.
Today, the Pamunkey Indians are deeply involved in preserving
their surviving culture and natural resources. The Pamunkey Indian
Museum was built in 1979, and three documentary videos have been
produced. All portray the ways of life and history of the people. Much
of the surviving Pamunkey culture is indebted to a subsistence
lifestyle centered around pottery making, fishing, hunting and
trapping. Now as the old ways are passing, the Pamunkey Indians are
still looking to their natural resources as a way to make a living.