Derrick & Christy Collins

We are thrilled to share with you our recent work which features the first-hand experience of three 4th grade students, Hatti, Nuri and River, from Chimborazo Elementary School as they immersed themselves in Richmond’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on November 16th at Powhatan Hill. Thanks to the coordination of Rick Tatnell with @pocahontasproject and Mrs. Knight, 4th Grade Social Studies teacher at @chimborazoes, the students constructed interview questions that they used to speak with tribal members of various tribes, including Tanya Stewart “Little Star” of Chickahominy, Bailey Martin of Sappony, Assistant Chief Lou Branham Parrish and Chief Diane Shields of Monacan, and “Red Eagle” of Cheroenhaka (Nottoway.) Hatti, River and Nuri learned from Cultural Enrichment Specialist, Tanya Stewart as she explained the Indigenous practice of using the entire animal beyond just food, they watched a traditional sport called Shinny, demonstrated and explained by Bailey Martin, they tasted fry bread from Firefly Food, LLC (Mattoponi), they danced in the intertribal dance, and they heard the importance of their efforts to learn and get to know Virginia Indians reiterated by important city leaders like Mayor Danny Avula. It was a joy to follow them around with our cameras and then edit this experience together. As we anticipate the Thanksgiving Holiday, we offer this experience to you that you may lean into what it means to recognize, remember, celebrate and partner with Virginia Indians who are absolutely still here.