VIRGINIA INDIAN TRIBES PRAISE MORAN AND DAVIS FOR BIPARTISAN EFFORT

Virginia Indian tribes today lauded the efforts of Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) who have introduced a bill to grant Federal recognition for the Indian tribes present in Virginia at the time that Jamestown was first settled. Included in the recognition bill are the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe - Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Nansemonds Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe and the Monacan Nation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

CONTACT: Liz Walker        

     Alcalde & Fay

703.841.0626        

walker@alcalde-fay.com

COMMENTS: Wayne Adkins

804/274-2834

VIRGINIA INDIAN TRIBES PRAISE MORAN AND DAVIS FOR BIPARTISAN EFFORT

    Washington, DC (July 2, 2001) - Virginia Indian tribes today lauded

the efforts of Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) who have

introduced a bill to grant Federal recognition for the Indian tribes present in

Virginia at the time that Jamestown was first settled. Included in the recognition

bill are the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe - Eastern Division, the

Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Nansemonds Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe and the

Monacan Nation.

The bill is being co-sponsored by others in the Virginia delegation, including

Tom Davis (R), Edward Schrock (R), Bobby Scott (D) and Rick Boucher (D).

In 1999, the Virginia Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution favoring

Federal recognition of the Tribes and urging Congress to enact legislation to

accomplish that goal. This bill, known as the Thomasina E. Jordon Indian

Recognition Act of 2001, is being introduced by Moran today.

"All of our tribes have already been granted state recognition" said Chief

Barry Bass of the Nansemond Tribe. "Federal legislation is the next logical

step in preserving our culture and of honoring the legal rights afforded us in

treaties signed by this country's first governments."

Once the subjects of decades of discrimination, Virginia Indians are hopeful

that Federal recognition will open new doors of opportunity. Of utmost

importance to the Tribes will be the opportunity afforded them to apply for

education grants and to receive better health care.

"These tribes have waited almost four centuries for this country to honor their

right to be recognized as an indigenous people," said Helen Rountree,

professor emeritus of anthropology at Old Dominion University and author of

many books and articles on the Virginia Indian tribes. "With the approaching

festival commemorating the founding of Jamestown, Federal recognition of

these tribes would be a significant contribution to that commemoration."

Virginia's Governor Gilmore has just released (June 7, 2001) $3.3 Million of the

state's budget to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation to support efforts toward

the 400 year commemoration of Jamestown to be held in 2007.

###

Further information on the Virginia Tribes can be found at the following

websites: Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life (VITAL)

www.virginiaindians.homestead.org and the Virginia Council on Indians

www.indians.vipnet.org.