Background
In Virginia, where history and tradition reign, there is one area in which our Commonwealth's education is lacking: Virginians grow up and live here knowing almost nothing about Virginia Indians. Despite the fact that Indians have lived here for thousands of years, few people in Virginia have ever met a Virginia Indian person, know little or nothing about Virginia Indian history, and most assume that Virginia Indians are people of the past.
In 2005, the eight state-recognized tribes of Virginia saw a chance to correct this situation through an unprecedented partnership between Virginia’s tribes and the VFH as a legacy for 2007 and beyond. The VFH is a logical partner because of its long-term commitment to Virginia Indian history and because of its experience in implementing the African-American Heritage Program, which serves in part as a model for the Virginia Indian Heritage Program.
