Virginia’s First People

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“Indians have lived in the area now known as Virginia for thousands of years. Their histories, ancestral connections, and traditions are intertwined with the 6,000 square miles of Tidewater land the Algonquian-speaking Indians of Virginia called Tsenacomoco. The early inhabitants of Virginia were hunter-gatherers who followed the migratory patterns of animals. Over time, and as the region warmed, they settled into towns along riverbanks and outlined their homelands, developing intimate, balanced relationships with the animals, plants, and geographic formations. They hunted, fished, and farmed, and developed complex social and religious systems and vast trade networks.”
Brendan Wolfe. “Indians in Virginia,” Encyclopedia Virginia, accessed October 4, 2020.

This chart shows the number of members in the tribes recognized by the state of Virginia.

Link to “Histories of Virginia State Recognized Tribes” developed by the Virginia Department of Education for more information.

Recognition by the Federal government is a different process.
“The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017 recognizes the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Monacan and Nansemond tribes as sovereign nations, bringing to 573 the number of federally-recognized tribes in the U.S. In 2016, the Pamunkey Indians became the first Virginia tribe to be granted federal recognition.”
Cecily Hilleary. “US Recognizes 6 Virginia Native American Tribes,” VOA, 31 January 2018, accessed October 4, 2020