33rd Green Corn Powwow ‘a stunning success’
Published 11:00 am Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Grand Entry takes place at the 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering at Cattashowrock Town in Courtland on Saturday, July 6. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
Riders from the Cheroenhaka Virginia Chapter of the REDRUM Motorcycle Club gather for a photo while attending the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County’s 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering on Saturday, July 6, in Courtland. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
Gathering for a photo at the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County’s 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering in Courtland on Saturday, July 6, are, from left, Virginia Del. Otto Wachsmann, U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Virginia Sen. Emily Jordan and Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
The Nansemond Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia has supported the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s native powwows since 2005, displaying artifacts dating back thousands of years. Chapter members pictured supporting the July 6 powwow are, from left, Teresa Preston, Bert Wendell Jr., Woody Wendell and Wayne Edwards. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
Young attendees participate in the 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering in Courtland on Saturday, July 6. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown, holding the microphone, introduces Virginia Sen. Emily Jordan, pictured at far left, and U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans at the July 6 powwow. Pictured to the right of Brown is Princess Windsong Brown and Prince Red Eagle Brown. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
Veterans are honored with flags as attendees participate in the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
Participants advance during festivities at the 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering at Cattashowrock Town in Courtland on Saturday, July 6. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
The head female dancer and head male dancer at the 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering are Jeannie Cranford (Cherokee) and Ellis Ellis (Cherokee), respectively. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
U.S. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans speaks at the 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering flanked by Virginia Sen. Emily Jordan on the left and Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown on the right. (Photo submitted by Bert Wendell Jr.)
The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County hosted its 33rd “Green Corn Dance” Powwow and Gathering at Cattashowrock Town in Courtland on Saturday, July 6.
A tribe news release noted that some 800 attendees and tourists, dancers and native arts and crafts vendors from the East Coast, West Coast and as far away as Europe braved the heat. Those attending the powwow in support of the tribe included U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District; Virginia Sen. Emily Jordan, 17th District; and Virginia Del. Otto Wachsmann, 83rd District.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin submitted a letter welcoming everyone, on behalf of the commonwealth, to the powwow.
“What a wonderful occasion to celebrate your tribe’s rich history and culture and its invaluable role in our commonwealth,” he wrote.
“The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian ‘Green Corn Dance’ Powwow is a special opportunity for tribal and community members to come together to honor the unique heritage of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe,” he continued. “As you celebrate your ancestral traditions with dance, music, arts, crafts, food and cultural exhibits, you honor your heritage and pass it on to future generations while generously sharing it with all Virginians. The long and proud history of the ‘People At The Fork of The Stream’ is woven into the fabric of Virginia’s history, and we are all enriched by your efforts to preserve your traditions while making distinctive contributions to Southampton, Virginia, and the greater commonwealth.
Youngkin closed by stating, “The First Lady and I send our best wishes for a joyous powwow and a blessed and abundant year ahead. Thank you for strengthening the Spirit of Virginia.”
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown sent kudos and accolades to all tribal citizens, active, adopted and honorary, to include the tribe’s Heritage Foundation Board of Directors for its “dedicated support in making the July powwow a stunning success.”
Tribe officials also issued a special thanks to the Nansemond Chapter of the Archeological Society of Virginia that has partnered with the tribe, supporting its native powwows since 2005, displaying artifacts dating back some 15,000 years.
The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe’s Corn Harvest Powwow and School Day is scheduled for Nov. 1-3.
