People formed a circle at the steeple in Capitol Square in Richmond on Wednesday. They were there to protest against racism and the lack of women’s rights in the governance of the Pamunkey and Mattaponi tribes.
The Pamunkey brought an eight-point deer as an annual tax tribute to Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam at the Executive Mansion on Wednesday.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pam Northam watch Native American dancers at the 344th Annual Tax Tribute where the tribal nations of Virginia present the Governor with a game gift for their taxes outside the Richmond Executive Mansion on Wednesday. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes both gave the governor and the first lady deer and other gifts.
ERIC KOLENICH Richmond Times-Dispatch
Jasmine Anderson has applied three times to be listed as a member of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. His mother is Pamunkey and Mattaponi, and his father is a type of Chippewa. She has the same ancestors as the leaders of the tribe.
But she was turned down each time, she says, because her ancestors helped newly emancipated black people in the 1860s.
“It’s outright racism,” Anderson said.
Members of both tribes, and others who have been excluded, gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday, alleging racial and gender discrimination in the two tribes, saying leaders banned free and fair elections that would end prejudice.
Members of Pamunkey and Mattaponi who married, had children or socialized with black people were kicked out, Anderson said.
Gloria Custalow, a resident of the Mattaponi reservation, accused tribal chief Mark Custalow, her first cousin, of running a tribal council that prohibits women from voting or joining the council leadership. Leaders of the two tribes did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
The Pamunkey and Mattaponi Reserves are located on either side of King William County, along the respective rivers named after their tribes. Membership is small – there are approximately 75 residents of the Mattaponi reserve and approximately 300 registered members. There are hundreds more who should be members, Anderson said.
