The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County witnessed a major milestone this fall in its 22-year-long pursuit of federal recognition.
A tribal news release noted that U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Southampton County, followed through Sept. 17 on a promise she had made previously to the tribe, introducing House Bill H.R. 9630, which is titled “Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act.”
If passed, the bill will federally recognize the tribe.
Having pursued federal recognition since 2002, the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, has documented ethnohistory that dates back to A.D. 900 in accordance with the Hand Site (44SN22), an archaeological dig that took place near General Thomas Highway in 1965, 1966 and 1969 in Southampton County.
On Dec. 7, 2002, the tribe submitted a letter of intent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announcing that it would be applying for federal recognition in accordance with 25 CFR 83.