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The Native American tribes in Virginia are the Indigenous peoples whose tribal nations historically or currently are based in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States of America.
Native peoples lived throughout Virginia for at least 12,000 years.[1] At contact, most tribes in what is now Virginia spoke languages from three major language families: Algonquian along the coast and Tidewater region, Siouan in the Piedmont region above the Fall Line, and Iroquoian in the interior, particularly the mountains. About 30 Algonquian tribes were allied in the powerful Powhatan paramount chiefdom along the coast.
During English colonization and the formation of the United States, most Virginia tribes had lost their lands and their populations declined due to introduced diseases and warfare. Assimilationist policies also contributed to Indigenous erasure.
Surviving local tribes reorganized their governments in the late 20th century. Today Virginia has seven federally recognized tribes and eleven state-recognized tribes, four of which lack federal recognition.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
HeritageTrailwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Virginia Indians". Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Gee. Retrieved 23 December 2023.