RICHMOND, Va. — Tuesday's tribute ceremony at the Virginia Governor's mansion continued a tradition older than the United States, as the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Indian Tribes honored a nearly 350-year-old treaty with the Commonwealth.
"We're upholding our side of the treaty and we expect the state of Virginia to uphold their side of the treaty," said Chief Mark T. "Falling Star" Custalow.
While both tribes have been formally recognized by Virginia since the 17th century (Virginia recognizes a total of 11 tribes), only the Pamunkey have been granted federal recognition between the two.
They gained that in 2015 after applying through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, while six other Virginia tribes were recognized through Congress in 2017.
But, now the Mattaponi, who is in King William County, are trying to change that fact.
"Bottom line, we have to prove ourselves."
Custalow said earlier this month, the tribe submitted their formal application in Washington, D.C., the culmination of decades of planning.
"We started back in 1984 with a letter of intent," he said.
Custalow said recognition would give the tribe of over 300 access to more resources for things like education, housing, and medical benefits.
"Just ways that we can be self-sufficient for our people and not relying on a grant to make things happen, but be able to get businesses and things up and running on the reservation."
In order to get that recognition, the tribe has to meet certain criteria -- but Custalow said the Mattaponi are the embodiment of those criteria.
"You've governed yourself like the Mattaponi people have and have lived like the Mattaponi people have for over 100 years. You know, we're the mark of how you get federal recognition. But, yet we start to prove ourselves," he added.
Custalow said compiling that proof has been costly and the biggest challenge, but that a 2021 grant helped them get what they needed.
"A group of five ladies, four of the tribe and one was an outsider, just to help gather all the information to show that we are who we say we are."
The tribe's efforts have got the backing of the office they paid tribute to Tuesday, as Governor Glenn Youngkin sent a letter in support.
"The Mattaponi nation serves an extraordinary role here in Virginia, and we hope that their application will be accepted. We really do," said Youngkin.
Custalow said the process from this point can take upwards of four years, but his tribe is ready to finish what they started decades ago.
"We have our sovereignty with the state, but we want that sovereignty with the federal government also."
Meanwhile, in a statement, both Virginia's Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine say they've been in touch with the tribe and will continue supporting their efforts throughout the process.
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