Mattaponi Indian Tribe & Reservation

11/06/2026

Day 5 of Native American Heritage Month: The Indian Citizenship Act

On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, also known as the Snyder Act, granting United States citizenship to all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States who were not already citizens.

Before this legislation, citizenship had been granted to some Native Americans through treaties, military service, marriage, land allotment, and other laws. However, many Indigenous people remained excluded from U.S. citizenship despite being the original inhabitants of this land.

The 1924 Act established citizenship for Native Americans who had not previously received it. However, citizenship did not mean that Native people immediately received equal voting rights. States continued to impose restrictions, and Native Americans faced barriers to voting for decades afterward.

It is important to remember that Native Americans did not become citizens because they stopped being Indigenous, surrendered their tribal identity, or gave up their tribal sovereignty. 📍U.S. citizenship and tribal citizenship are separate and can coexist.

Today, we recognize this important moment in history while remembering that our Nations, cultures, identities, and inherent rights existed long before the United States.

Citizenship did not create our identity. We have always been Indigenous peoples of this land.

https://www.archives.gov/files/historical-docs/doc-content/images/indian-citizenship-act-1924.pdf

11/05/2026

We sincerely appreciate the contributions that the Virginia Department of Health, specifically Three Rivers Health District, has made to support the health and wellbeing of the Mattaponi Indian Tribe. We are also grateful for the relationship that’s developed and the eagerness to learn about the health of the Indigenous population.

National Native American Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. The Commonwealth has 11 state recognized tribes, with 7 of those also having federal recognition. The Virginia Department of Health is committed to ensuring that every community in Virginia has the opportunity to be healthy. Not just this month, but throughout the year, we strive to listen and to serve as a public health resource to local tribes throughout Virginia.

11/04/2026

Come work with us!

https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=c3b089f9463c9b2f&from=shareddesktop_copy

11/04/2026

A great week for Native representation! 🪶 🇺🇸
Congratulations to the Native candidates who won their races and made history across the country. From governor and senator to Congress, Indigenous voices continue to break barriers and lead the way.

No matter your political views, it's inspiring to see Native people represented at the highest levels of government. These victories show the strength of our communities and the importance of Native voices being heard.

Join us in congratulating all of these leaders and the Tribal Nations they represent! 👏

🪶🇺🇸

11/04/2026

🎨 Why the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) Matters
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) was created to protect Native American artists, Tribal Nations, and consumers from the sale and marketing of counterfeit Native-made artwork and crafts. It is a federal truth-in-advertising law that ensures Native art is represented honestly.

📌 Being a descendant of Native ancestors alone does not qualify someone to market their work as " Indian-made" under the IACA. Under federal law, an "Indian" is defined as: • A member of a federally recognized Tribe; • A member of an officially state-recognized Tribe; or • An individual certified as an Indian artisan by a Tribe.

✅ Tribal citizenship and official recognition matter.

✅ Native identity should not be claimed for commercial gain without meeting the legal requirements established by federal law.

✅ Consumers deserve to know that the Native-made products they purchase are authentic and created by enrolled Tribal citizens or certified Indian artisans.

📌Virginia's State-Recognized Tribes: https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/virginia-indians/state-recognized-tribes/

📌Learn more about the IACA: https://www.doi.gov/iacb/act

Support authentic Native artists. Honor Tribal sovereignty. Buy Native-made.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990

11/03/2026

Day 3 of Native American Heritage Month:

Let’s talk about Native Americans and voting.

June 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law the Indian Citizenship Act, declaring all Native Americans to be citizens of the United States🇺🇸.

‼️BUT, In Virginia, the Racial Integrity Act of 1924 complicated the status of indigenous Virginians by classifying all citizens as either white or “colored.” Walter A. Plecker, registrar for the Bureau of Vital Statistics, flatly denied that any true Native Americans lived in Virginia because they had intermarried with African Americans over the years. In Plecker’s mind, there were only white Virginians and black Virginians.

1924-1953, Virginia still denied its indigenous residents the right to vote.

1954, Virginia begins allowing Native Americans the right to vote. Except Plecker said none existed which meant none could vote 👎🏽

1965, The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 removing barriers such as poll taxes and literacy tests, and the 15th Amendment was finally enforceable across the U.S. REMINDER: Native Americans still couldn’t vote because Plecker said we didn’t exist 👎🏽

🗳️ 1967, The Racial Integrity Act was overturned under the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Loving v. Virginia. We FINALLY could cast our vote!

Reading about the injustices of the past is not fun. In fact, it’s often painful. But use it as a reminder to keep moving forward and utilize your voice through voting! Let’s vote today on the 59th anniversary of being afforded this right that our ancestors fought tirelessly for.

https://nativevote.org/

A companion panel exhibition to "We Demand: Women's Suffrage in Virginia," "Unfinished Business" explored the continuing struggle to provide access to the vote, the most powerful tool of the people’s voice. Despite ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution granting women...

11/02/2026

Day 2 of Native American Heritage Month:

We are thankful for our religious freedoms that we often take for granted. A significant part of being a tribe, is being in community and for that, we are thankful for Mattaponi Indian Baptist Church and the continuous dedication to faith and tribal gatherings. Yesterday was the annual Native Sunday, followed by the Giving Thanks meal. Friends and families were able to gather together and share stories over a meal.

11/02/2026

A beautiful sunrise approaching on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation.