Why is it important to recognize your Native American Heritage?
Who we are today, as your neighbors, your schoolmates, your church members and your co-workers is a reflection of who our ancestors were and how they interacted with other Virginians in the past.
Being Native American in Virginia is much more than wearing traditional regalia and attending powwows.It involves bringing a different and more balanced perspective to our history, our present and our future.
Much was lost through Race Laws and through the errors of census takers during the 1800’s who identified Nottoway Indians as Mulatto, White or Black.In 1924, the Racial Integrity Act made it illegal to identify as Indian under penalty of being arrested and other negative ramifications.
Thus many Native Americans were incorrectly identified by the Law and their neighbors as either White or African American.Native Americans have lived through decades of legal and historical oppression.Survival was achieved by living quietly.
