COURTLAND
It was a little cold on Friday afternoon, with lows below freezing, but that wouldn’t deter the fourth- and fifth-grade classes at S.P. Morton Elementary School. Their class, along with several others, attended the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian tribe’s 16th annual ‘Corn Harvest’ Dance Intertribal School Day and Powwow, said Jason Chandler, SPM principal.

“It was definitely a cold day, but they learned a lot,” he said. “I know teachers from the fourth- and fifth-grade were very impressed, and they all had a great time.”

Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown said they had close to 800 students and teachers bus in for the school day. On top of SPM attending, other schools included Churchland Elementary School, A.P. Hill Elementary School in Petersburg and Jeb Stuart Elementary School in Richmond.

“All students made five stops,” Brown said. “They went to the village, where they got to learn about how life was in the 1700s; to the language booth to learn about our native Iroquoian language; to the Virginia Archeological Society booth to see artifacts; then to the vendors, who demonstrated bead making; finally, we took them to the circle to see the Aztec dancers. They normally invite them into the circle for a dance. I also gave them a history presentation of the tribe.”

Over the rest of the weekend, when the grounds were open to the public, Brown said 1,200 to 1,400 people were in and out, counting the tribe members and dancers. Considering the weather, the chief said that was a great turnout.

“We all had a good time — it was a great turnout,” Brown said. “I think people were able to relive and enjoy the native traditions of the people here in Southampton County — especially in the village, Cattashowrock Town, our native replica village described and documented in the manuscripts of William Byrd II of Westover during his visit to Southampton County in 1728.

“They got a chance to see how native people lived, where they slept and learn about their cultures and traditions.”

Not being far removed from Veterans Day, the tribe also flew the American flag and a POW-MIA flag as part of the color guard during the Grand Entry.

“We always honor our veterans,” Brown said. “We had a grand entry for them on Saturday and invited them into the circle.”

Also welcomed to the Powwow were visitors from out of the country. A couple from Korea and 10-12 family members from Greece visited on Saturday. The Powwow also brought in members from other tribes in the area.

“We had one visiting chief, Chief Marshall ‘Lone Wolf’ Couch, with the Appalachian Cherokee,” Brown said, adding that members from the two drum groups were from different tribes, along with the M.C., Harland Richardson. Then there were the Aztec Dancers, and the male and female lead dancers Osceola and Tina Mullin visiting as members of the Lumbee tribe.

Next up will be the ‘Green Corn’ Powwow in July, Brown said.

“Everyone is looking forward to the next one,” he said.

Though that may not be it for the village, as Southampton County Public Schools cancelled, though they may be able to receive a special presentation.

“I got a call from the superintendent and she thought it was too cold,” Brown said. “Unfortunately they had to cancel, but we will do a separate presentation for Southampton County Public Schools. We are looking forward to doing that for them.”

For schools, Chandler said the local powwow was a win-win, as it correlates with the Virginia history Standards of Learning tests, and it also lets them learn more about something local.

“We wanted to provide an enriching opportunity for those students to expand their educational experiences,” he said. “What better way than a local field trip? It’s not often that you can provide something enriching so close.”