The Chickahominy and the Eastern Chickahominy are related tribes in Charles City County and New Kent County, Virginia.
The tribe's name means "people of the coarse pounded corn."
The Chickahominy were recognized by the state in 1983 and by the federal government in 2018. The Eastern Chickahominy split from the main tribe in 1983, and were recognized by the state that same year and by the federal government in 2018. Neither tribe has an established reservation, but they have purchased lands that they devote to communal purposes. This area is not far from where they were living in 1600.
The Chickahominy's original territory was in the Tidewater area, along the Chickahominy River, from its confluence with the James River, in what is now Charles City County, to what is now New Kent County, Virginia.
The Chickahominy were among several Algonquian-speaking tribes that inhabited the Tidewater region when Europeans came to the area. They encountered settlers from Jamestown in 1607. They helped the colonists survive the first few winters in North America, and taught them how to grow crops in local soil. In 1614, the Chickahominy provided 300 warriors to help the English colonists fight the Spanish, who were colonizing the lower East Coast.
It wasn't long, however, before the growing English demand for land crowded the Chickahominy out of their homeland. Upon the conclusion of the Anglo-Powhatan Wars of 1644-1646, the Chickahominy were forced to cede most of its land, settling on reservation land in the Pamunkey Neck area, alongside another local tribe, the Pamunkey. They remained there until 1661, when they returned to their homeland, hoping to settle on the small amount of land that remained theirs by treaty, only to find that their reserved holdings had been encroached upon by the English. They lost title to the last part of their lands in 1718, although they remained in the area, although some Chickahominay bands merged with the Pamunkey or other tribes.
While independent, the Chickahominy were often allied with the Powhatan Confederacy, although some sources hold that they were full members of the Confederacy.
In the 20th century, descendants of these people organized to form the Chickahominy and Eastern Chickahominy tribes.
Today, the Chickahominy tribe consists of from 800 to 900 people who live within a five-mile radius of one another and the tribal center, in the Chickahominy Ridge area. Several hundred others are scattered throughout the United States. The Chickahominy Tribe is led by a tribal council of twelve men and women, including a chief and two assistant chiefs, whom tribal members elect. Most members of the Chickahominy are Christian, and many attend Samaria Baptist Church, which was originally known as Samaria Indian Church. The church was built on tribal grounds, directly across from the tribal headquarters.
The Eastern Chickahominy shared their history with the Chickahominy until the late 20th century when they decided to organize their own tribal government. Members of the Eastern tribe lived in New Kent County, and found it inconvenient to travel to Charles City County for tribal functions. There may have also been some disagreements over land use or religious practices. The Eastern Chickahominy has just over 100 members and owns 41 acres of land. Tribal property is incorporated as a non-taxable organization, and tribal functions are supported by contributions and members who pay due.
Topics related to either of the existing Chickahominy tribes are appropriate for this category, along with any other organizations, businesses, industries, schools, or other entities associated with the Chickahominy. Informational websites may be listed here, as well, if focused on the Chickahominy.
Recommended Resources
Charles City County: Chicahominy Tribe
Charles City County, Virginia, is southeast of Richmond and west of Jamestown and bounded on the south by the James River and the east by the Chickahominy River. Its page on the Chickahominy Tribe, who reside in the county, includes a history and profile of the tribe, a calendar of tribal events, the members of the tribal council, and photographs and other resources related to the tribe, such as the Cickahominy Tribal Center. The mailing address and phone number are listed.
https://charlescity.org/learn/chickahominy-tribe/
Grounded on an area known as Chickahominy Ridge, the Chickahominy Tribe does not have a reservation, but they do own about 110 acres of communal land on which its annual Powwow and Fall Festival are held, and where they meet for other tribal functions and activities. Their website tells the story of the tribe, from ancient times, through the post-contact era, 20th century, and its plans for the future. Tribal offices and contacts are posted, and a calendar of events is included.
https://www.chickahominytribe.org/
Formed from two or more tribal groups, the Kiskiack, and the Chickahominy, the Kiskiack is a Native American tribe of the Powhatan Confederacy in what is now York County, Virginia. It is likely that the descendants of the tribe have merged or intermarried with other groups, such as the Chickahominy, Pamunkey, or Rappahannock. Currently, the tribe is not a recognized American Indian tribe but is registered as a tax-exempt organization. The biography of its chief, photos, and contacts are posted.
https://thekiskiacktribe.com/
Organized in 1901 as the Samaria Indian Baptist Church, the church is situated across the street from the Chickahominy Tribal Center, and many of its members are tribe members. It took its current name in 1987 in order to clarify that the church was open to anyone who wanted to worship. Its history, church governance, membership information, a statement of beliefs, worship schedules, and an overview of its ministries, Bible studies, sermons, and contacts are included.
https://www.samariabaptistchurch.org/
Hosted on Virginia Places, which explores Virginia's history and geography. Its page on the Chickahominy features maps showing Chickahominy lands, along with historic photographs of tribal people, and a profile and history of the tribe, from what is known of it in the early 1600s into the 21st century. Also included are links to other online resources for the tribe, a list of references used in creating the profile and history, and links to related pages on the same site.
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/nativeamerican/chickahominy.html
