The Nottoway River flowing through tribal lands

Welcome to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe

Honoring our history, preserving our culture, building our future.

2010 State-Recognized
263 Acres at Cattashowrock Town
4 Annual Gatherings
20+ Years Pursuing Federal Recognition

Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown, Tribal Leader

Message from the Chief

As our tribe's spokesperson "Dar-sun-ke" (the Tongue), and Chief, it is with great zeal on behalf of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal Council and Members, that we welcome you in the name of the Creator (Quaker-Hun-te) to our Tribal Web Site.

Each year we host tribal events on our 263 acres of tribal land at Cattashowrock Town. A Green Corn Dance Powwow the first Saturday in July, a Native American Revival, Crusade for Christ / Yahshua, the Great Awakening of the Holy Spirit, on the third Saturday in September, and an Intertribal Corn Harvest Powwow and School Day on the first weekend in November. The School Day is the Friday before the November Powwow with a bonfire that evening.

"Quaker Hun-te EE Sun-ke Was-ke-hee, Th-ra-hun-ta, Was-we-kr"
(Creator My Hearts Sees, Hears and Speaks).

Meet Our Chief Tribal Leadership

Upcoming Events

We gather as a community and with the public four times each year at Cattashowrock Town.

April

Spotswood Treaty Tribute

An annual tribute commemorating the treaty history between the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Learn More

First Saturday in July

Green Corn Powwow

Our flagship gathering — the Green Corn Dance Powwow, open to the public with dancing, drumming, and vendors.

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Third Saturday in September

Native American Judeo-Christian Revival

Crusade for Christ / Yahshua — the Great Awakening of the Holy Spirit, held at Cattashowrock Town.

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First Weekend in November

Corn Harvest Powwow & School Day

An Intertribal Corn Harvest Powwow, preceded by School Day on Friday — elementary students tour the tribal lands, with a bonfire that evening.

Learn More

Cattashowrock Town

Cattashowrock Town is a 17th-century replica Native American palisade village, identified by William Byrd II of Westover upon his visit to what is now Southampton County, Virginia, on April 7th & 8th, 1728.

Walk the interpretive trails guided by signage in our Iroquoian language and in English, identifying native flora and fauna indigenous to the area.

Tours are offered for a donation on weekends when available.

Plan Your Visit

About Us

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe made first ethno-historic contact with the English in 1607/1608 in what is now Nottoway County. We were referred to as Mangoak, or Mengwe, by the Algonquian Tribes, and later, in 1650, per the diary entries of Edward Bland, referred to again by the Algonquian Tribes as "Nadawa," which soon reverted to Nottoway. In our native Iroquoian tongue, we call ourselves CHEROENHAKA — People at the Fork of the Stream.

Learn More About Us

Tribal Leadership

Tribal Council

Current Tribal Council Members and Staff

Chief Walt "Red Hawk" Brown
- Tribal Chief
- Council Chairman
- President, CNE-LLC
- Heritage Foundation Chairman
- President, CNE-Signature JV, LLC
Ellis "Soaring Eagle" Wright
- Vice Chief
- Chief Man
- Tribal Treasurer
William Lamb "Spread Eagle" Howell
- War Chief
- Chief Man
- Powwow Color Guard Commander
Caroh "Water Blossom" Holley
- Council Woman
- Roll Keeper
- Facebook Administrator
- Grant Committee
- CNE-LLC Secretary
- CNE-Signature JV, LLC Secretary
Gary "Twin Hawks" Burnette
- Chief Man
- Grant Committee Vice Chairman
- CNIT Heritage Foundation Board Member
Tommy "Star Watcher" Hines
- Chief Man
- Council Member
- Heritage Foundation Assistant Treasurer
- CNE-LLC Treasurer
Kitty "Yellow Sky Woman" Boone
- Tribal Heritage Foundation Treasurer
Rickie "Two Beavers" Boone
- Chief Man
- Council Member
- Powwow Co-Chairman
- Tribal Land Maintenance Manager
LaStel "Talking Bird" Walker
- Grant Committee Chairperson
Teresa "Moon Star" Preston
- Adopted Tribal Member
- Heritage Foundation At Large Board Member
- FD Financial Secretary
- ASV Point of Contact
Robert I. "Running Eagle" Turner
- Powwow Food Services Committee Chairman
Annie Thomas & Carol Harrison
- Tribal Women's Group Co-Chairs

Tribal Council's Support Staff

Deborah "Tiger Lily" Motahari
- Tribal Website Administrator
Karen "Running Moon" Barrett
- Educational Representative
- School Day Coordinator
- Tribal Media Representative
- Tribal Calendar
Mary F. "Morning Rain" Wilkerson
- Tribal Fund Raiser Chairperson / Coordinator
Beverly "Barefoot" El
- Tribal College Book Scholarship Chairperson
Colette "CoCo" Hayward
- Three Sisters Garden Chair
- Powwow Food Services Committee
- Adopted Tribal Member
- Grant Committee
Becky "Sun Star" Winslow
- Three Sisters Garden Co-Chair
- Honorary Tribal Member
Diana "Smiling Fawn" Faison & Robert C. "Walking Eagle" Turner
- Powwow Food Services Finance Committee
- Adopted Tribal Member
- Chief Man
- Budget Committee Chairman
- Powwow Co-Chairman
Ethan "Dancing Bear" Phelps
- Chief Man
- Cattashowrock Town Palisade Village Caretaker
- Powwow Co-Chairman

Help Us Reach Federal Recognition

For twenty years, the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) have pursued federal recognition. Your support — whether a donation or a letter to your senator — helps carry that effort forward.

Donate Our Recognition Effort