Tracing our Roots - Nottoway Pow Wow 2013

Happy Autumn Everyone! How was your Equinox?
Between the Full Moon on the 19th, and the Fall Equinox on Sunday, the energy was flowing and full of change.

I don't know how many of you know what Autumn is like in Virginia but it is simply GORGEOUS. Johnee' and I both have deep roots in Southern Virginia and the Tidewater Area, right in the cradle of America's beginnings. We now reside in the Northern, VA which is cool, but the hustle and bustle of DC city living can be draining.

This past Saturday, we decided to head south to attend the 2013 Nottoway Indian Tribe Pow Wow in Surry, VA. It had to be fate how this came about.

A bit from our Healing Quest. Click picture for full album

In April, we embarked on a 30+ Day cross-country RAW! Healing Quest, while sharing raw food knowledge and holistic practices in exchange for lodging. We met a ton of beautiful people and new friends that we still keep close contact with. We love you all! Stay tuned for our RAW! Healing Quest Part 2 :)

But any who, while making our way through VA we decided to get off the main highway and take the scenic route into NC. On the way, Johnee' read a sign in passing that said something about Nottoway Indians. I quickly encouraged her to make a U-turn so we can go explore, persistent on the fact that it was fate.

I've had an on and off infatuation with studying my family's ancestry. I'll periodically move full speed ahead with enthusiasm until I hit yet another census glitch and racial roadblock. Native Americans, or as I like to call them, First Nation people were not allowed to claim their heritage and would either claim mulatto, negro, or pass as white so not to be apart of their peoples genocide. This makes it extremely hard for those of us from Native and African decent to trace where we come from and essentially to know who we are.

My sister, Mother, Aunt (her twin), & my Father.

My mother often speaks of visiting a native reservation with her father (my Grand-Daddy) as a child up until she was about 10. I thought of this and a chilling feeling went through my body as we headed toward the Nottoway house.

We experienced a bitter-sweet anxious-excitement upon entering the house. There were many artifacts, documents, and remaining pieces of the culture that they managed to hold on to but it was the PEOPLE that stood out the most. These people resembled various parts of both Johnee's and my own family. They were thrilled to hear of our Quest and raw food business and invited us to their yearly Pow Wow in Surry.

Now, here we are.

It was a pleasure connecting with various peoples at this Inter-Tribal gathering. Many elders and attendees were storehouses of information. I discovered that the reservation my mother visited was of the Mattopani and Pamunkey tribes. They were acknowledged as honorary tribes BEFORE the incorporation of the United States. My family is OF this land! This explains the lack of slave records on my mothers side of the family! We're getting somewhere..

My dad even found out that his mother's (my Nana) grandfather was 100% Cherokee, originating in North Carolina! That's another genealogical adventure in itself!. I can go on and on about the thrill of uncovering such information.

But back to the Pow Wow..we had a blast! There was dancing, drumming, arts and crafts, stones, medicine bags, dream catchers, books, fresh herbs and more! Here's a quick photo recap:

Pictures can't describe the energy & humility of this experience. It was an honor. We'll be attending yet another Pow Wow this coming November which will likely put us directly in touch with the Mattopani & Pamunkey tribes. We openly welcome this unfolding of our history and learning the roots of our beginnings. Every little bit of information counts on this journey to knowing thyself, you know?

Until next time...

Love and Wellness, 

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Brooke Johnson aka Brooke Jay is a Social Entrepreneur, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Wellness Coach for RAW! on Wheels., a DMV based live vegan service. 

RAW! offers Coaching, Catering, Juice Cleanses, & more! Click the link below for more info! http://www.RAWexclamation.com

Contact her directly at BJohnson@rawexclamation.com