Pamunkey

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe of Pamunkey people in Virginia. They live on the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William County, Virginia. Historically, they spoke the Pamunkey language.

They are one of 11 Native American tribes in Virginia and belong to the Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands. In January 2016, they became the Commonwealth of Virginia's first federally recognized tribe.

Long ago, the Pamunkey people were part of the Powhatan paramountcy, a group of Algonquian-speaking nations. When the English arrived in 1607, the Pamunkey were one of the most powerful groups in the area. They lived near the James River and Chesapeake Bay.

Today, the Pamunkey Tribe is one of only two tribes that still hold the reservation lands given to them by treaties with the English in 1646 and 1677. Their reservation is on the Pamunkey River, close to where their ancestors lived.

Language

The Pamunkey language was thought to be related to Algonquian languages, but only fourteen words have been saved. These words were written down in 1844 by Reverend E.A. Dalrymple S.T.D.. The words include names for family members, numbers, and everyday things. Most of these words do not match any known Algonquian language. Because many people of different backgrounds lived among the Pamunkey before 1844, these words might come from a mix of languages or from a language that is not well known today.

Way of living

The Pamunkey people traditionally lived by fishing, trapping, hunting, and farming. They used the Pamunkey River for travel and food. Because they did not use fertilizers, they moved their fields and homes every ten years to let the land rest.

Pamunkey homes, called yihakans, were long and narrow like longhouses. They were made from bent saplings covered with mats or bark. Inside, they had beds made of posts and reeds with mats for bedding.

The Pamunkey had a queen and a chief, along with a council of seven members who were elected every four years. They used a special voting method with peas and corn kernels. Their tribal laws focused on land use, stealing, and keeping peace, and those who broke the rules were fined or banned from the tribe. The Pamunkey still pay an annual tribute to Virginia’s governor, which usually includes a deer, pottery, or a “peace pipe,” a tradition that has continued for over 340 years.

History

Precontact

Long ago, before Europeans came, many different groups of Native American people lived along the mid-Atlantic coast for thousands of years. The Pamunkey were part of a larger group that spoke similar languages. By the year 1607, more than 30 tribes were part of the Powhatan Confederacy, with the Pamunkey being the largest and most powerful.

European Arrival

When Europeans first arrived around 1570, the Pamunkey had around 14,000 to 21,000 people. The settlers at Jamestown had a complicated relationship with the tribes. At first, the Pamunkey leader helped the settlers by giving them food. But as more settlers came, there was more fighting over land.

Gradual English colonization

The story of Pocahontas shows part of Pamunkey history. The settlers often did not understand the Native American ways. They sometimes said unkind things about other tribes but noted that the Pamunkey were honest and did not steal.

In 1622 and 1644, attacks happened because settlers were taking Pamunkey land. Many settlers were hurt in these attacks. In 1646, a treaty was signed, creating boundaries and setting up yearly payments from the tribes to the settlers.

Bacon's Rebellion

In 1675, Bacon’s Rebellion happened, leading to attacks on tribes that were friends with the settlers. Cockacoeske, the Pamunkey leader, stayed loyal to the settlers. In 1677, a treaty was signed, bringing peace and adding more tribes under the Pamunkey leadership.

Later history

In 2009, about 430 tribal members remained, some living on their reservation. The Pamunkey have kept their traditions alive by fishing and hunting in old ways. In 1998, they built a place to help keep fish populations healthy.

Pottery

The Pamunkey have made pottery for a very long time, using clay from the Pamunkey River. In the 1930s, they learned new ways to make pottery faster and more beautiful. They built a museum in 1979 to share their history and culture with visitors.

Federal recognition

Virginia has always recognized the Pamunkey tribe. In 2015, the Pamunkey received official recognition from the United States government after a long process.