The native peoples of Virginia were here long before the English came in 1607. Their tribes are still part of the state today.
Quick answer: The Commonwealth recognizes 11 tribes among the native peoples of Virginia. Seven of them also have federal recognition: the Pamunkey and the six tribes recognized by Congress in a law signed in 2018. The Pamunkey and Mattaponi keep the only two remaining reservations in the state.
Contents
- The 11 State-Recognized Tribes
- Federal Recognition
- The Two Reservations
- The Racial Integrity Act of 1924
- Frequently asked questions
The 11 State-Recognized Tribes
Encyclopedia Virginia lists eleven tribes recognized by the Commonwealth.[1]
| Tribe | State recognition | Federal recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Chickahominy | 1983 | Yes |
| Chickahominy Eastern Division | 1983 | Yes |
| Rappahannock | 1983 | Yes |
| Upper Mattaponi | 1983 | Yes |
| Nansemond | 1980s | Yes |
| Monacan | 1980s | Yes |
| Pamunkey | Acknowledged 1983 | Yes |
| Mattaponi | Acknowledged 1983 | No |
| Patawomeck | 2010 | No |
| Nottoway | 2010 | No |
| Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) | 2010 | No |
In 1983 the state recognized four tribes by a joint resolution and also named the Pamunkey and Mattaponi. A law in 2010 added three more tribes.[1]
Federal Recognition
The Pamunkey gained federal recognition before the other Virginia tribes. Encyclopedia Virginia gives two dates for it: July 2, 2015, and January 28, 2016.[1]
Congress passed a bill in 2017 that was signed into law in 2018. It gave federal recognition to six more Virginia tribes. The law is named for Thomasina E. Jordan. She worked for years for this goal and spoke to Congress about it days before she died in May 1999.[2]
The Two Reservations
The Pamunkey and Mattaponi reservations are the last two in Virginia. They are also the two oldest reservations in the United States that people have lived on without a break. Pamunkey leaders signed the Treaty of Middle Plantation in 1677.[1]
The Racial Integrity Act of 1924
On March 20, 1924, Governor E. Lee Trinkle signed the Racial Integrity Act. It made people register as either white or colored.[1] The law gave no separate choice for Virginia Indians.
Frequently asked questions
How many tribes are recognized in Virginia? The Commonwealth recognizes 11 tribes; seven of them also have federal recognition.
Which Virginia tribes are federally recognized? The Pamunkey, plus the six tribes recognized by the 2018 law: Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Rappahannock, Upper Mattaponi, Nansemond and Monacan.
Are there Indian reservations in Virginia? Yes, two: the Pamunkey and Mattaponi reservations.
Who was Thomasina E. Jordan? An advocate for the federal recognition of Virginia tribes; the 2018 recognition law bears her name.
References
- [1] Encyclopedia Virginia, Ashley Spivey and Michelle Kiel, The Legal Status and Classification of Indigenous People in Virginia – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Library of Virginia, Virginia Changemakers: Thomasina Jordan – last checked 11/08/2026
The arrival of the English in 1607 is described in Jamestown: Why There?.