Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Va
Patawomeck Tribe Awards & Recognitions
Our Tribe is honored to be recognized by the local, state, and (soon) federal government.
Federal Recognition
Federal Recognition is underway, sponsored by Rob Wittman.
Manassas Museum Dedication
August 6, 2022
Chief "Bootsie" was invited to the dedication of the Manassas Museum and remodel.
State Recognition
"Due to the relentless efforts of its leaders, tribe members, and local Stafford resident and Virginia Speaker of the House, Bill Howell, their request was presented to the General Assembly in February of 2010. Las Vegas entertainer and Patawomeck Indian, Wayne Newton, who lived with his grandparents in Stafford as a young boy, returned to Virginia to plead their case. The tribe was successful and both the House and Senate recognized the Patawomeck Indians as a Tribe of Virginia." - Stafford County Museum, 2010.
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After 16 years of hard work, the Patawomeck Indians of Virginia were finally granted formal recognition by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Speaker of the House of Delegates Bill Howell introduce House Joint Resolution 150 in January 2010 to grant formal recognition to the Patawomecks. It was not an easy fight and opposition developed to our recognition, however, the Joint Resolution was passed by both chambers of the General Assembly without a single "No" vote cast against us.
- Patawomeck Tides Newsletter, 2010
2022 Eel Pot Preservation Award
May 17, 2022
Fellow Tribal Member, Dr. Brad Hatch was presented with a Preservation Award for his work restoring a craft being used by the Patawomeck Fishermen - Eel Pots or Fishing Baskets. He was also recognized for the work he has done to teach our Tribal Members to make eel pots. Eel Pots are a specific type of woven eel trap, and Brad uses the same methods of construction and style as our ancestors.
State Recognition (Official Resolution Presentation)
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Virginia State Delegate William Howell attended the Monthly Council Meeting to present to the Council the Official Resolution granting the Patawomeck Indians State Recognition. The Resolution can be seen on display at the Patawomeck Tribal Center, located at 638 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA.
2022 Historic Preservation Award
May 17, 2022 - Stafford County Historical Commission presented the Patawomeck Tribe with a Historic Preservation Award for the work we have completed on the Tribal Center (Duff Green House). According to the Stafford County Historical Commission's website, "the awards are given in recognition of significant contributions towards the preservation of Stafford County's cultural heritage."
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This achievement would not be possible without all the tireless efforts of Tribal Members to restore our ancestral home. Thanks to them and those who generously donated their time and money to our efforts, our dreams are quickly becoming our reality. If you would like to see our journey from the beginning of receiving the lease to the Duff Green House - the House at Little Falls Farm, then check it out on our page, Restore Our Ancestral Home.
UMW Historic Preservation - Hopyard Boat Landing
December 6, 2021 -
Chief Emeritus John Lightner and Minnie Lightner attended the presentation of a project Dr. Lauren McMillan’s Historic Preservation class at the University of Mary Washington. 12 of her students paired in groups of 2 to write scripts for 6 signs to be placed in significant places in King George County. Chief Emeritus John Lightner and others were interviewed by Channel 4 News!
National Native American Heritage Month November 2021
November 16, 2021
Stafford County Board of Supervisors Member, Thomas C. Coen, presented Chief Charles Bullock, Chief Emeritus John Lightner, and Minnie Lightner of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia a proclamation recognizing November 2021 as National Native American Heritage Month.
Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 11, 2021 - Today the city of Richmond and Mayor Levar Stoney once again proclaimed October 11 as Indigenous People's Day. In attendance were the Patawomeck, Nottoway, Cheroenhaka Nottoway, and the Mattaponi Tribes.
November Native American Month
May 2022
May 17, 2022
Fellow Tribal Member, Dr. Brad Hatch was presented with a Preservation Award for his work restoring a craft being used by the Patawomeck Fishermen - Eel Pots or Fishing Baskets. He was also recognized for the work he has done to teach our Tribal Members to make eel pots. Eel Pots are a specific type of woven eel trap, and Brad uses the same methods of construction and style as our ancestors.
National Native American Heritage Month - November 2020
November 4, 2020
Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Meg Bohmke, presented Chief Charles Bullock, Chief Emeritus John Lightner, and Minnie Lightner of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia along with Regent Sonja Johnson, Jan Gardner, and Donna Sayre and Martha Newton of the Falls of the Rappahannock, NSDAR, a proclamation recognizing November 2020 as National Native American Heritage Month.
Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 10, 2019
At an gathering in Richmond with representatives from the Cheroenhaka, Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Nottaway, Pamunkey, Patawomeck, and Upper Mattaponi tribes, the announcement was made that Richmond will recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day. "Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has asked city employees and residents to use Monday as an opportunity to reflect on the culture and heritage of native peoples and their accomplishments in the face of 'extraordinary hardship'" - WHSV Newsroom
2008 Cultural Heritage Preservation Award
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Given by the Stafford County Historic Commission for the Patwomeck's efforts to preserve our culture for future generations of native peoples in Stafford County. Lesser Chief Gary Cooke accepted the Historic Preservation Award and the plague can be seen at the Patawomeck Tribal Center.
2008 Language Preservation Award
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Given by the Stafford County Historic Commission for the Patwomeck's efforts to revive our native language for future generations of native peoples in Stafford County. Language Class Instructor Becky Guy accepted the Historic Preservation Award and the plague can be seen at the Patawomeck Tribal Center