Congresswoman Jen Kiggans Introduces Legislation to Grant Federal Recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) proudly introduced the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, Federal Recognition Act. This legislation marks an important step in honoring the Tribe's centuries-long history and ensuring access to the federal programs and services they rightfully deserve.

"The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) people have a proud and enduring legacy in Southampton County and across the Commonwealth," said Congresswoman Kiggans. "They have preserved their culture, traditions, and governance through generations of adversity. It's long past time for them to be recognized federally."

The Tribe is recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia and has maintained tribal land in Southampton County for centuries. Denying this historic and important tribe federal recognition is a must," she concluded.

Chief Walt Red Hawk Brown said, "Our tribe's deepest appreciation to Congresswoman Jen Kiggans and her staff for running point over the past couple of years supporting the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County Virginia's quest for Federal Recognition via Congress. Thank you Congresswoman Kiggans for all the great works you do for the 2nd Congressional District and for introducing the Tribe's Federal Recognition Bill to the 119th Congress. We look forward to having you visit another one of our Native American Indian Powwows in the future on our 263 acres of tribal land in Courtland Virginia."

Background: The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe has deep historical roots in Virginia, with documented presence dating back to at least A.D. 900. The Tribe signed treaties with colonial authorities in the 1600s and maintained continuous cultural and historical presence despite centuries of land loss, forced assimilation, and the impacts of discriminatory laws like Virginia's Racial Integrity Act of 1924. Federal recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs has been hindered for tribes within Virginia by historical record-keeping practices that misclassified Native populations in Virginia during the early 1900's.

Read the bill here.

Read the one-pager here.