Nansemond Indian Nation Pow Wow 2019-A Family Affair
Cousins, Bob, Debbie, Rod, and his beautiful daughter. |
There are moments in life that leave us breathless and our hearts beating to a new rhythm. Memorable moments. Moments we file in the deepest recesses of our hearts and souls. I had many such moments this past weekend.
This one was special to me because it was my first and was held on lands in possession of my Mama’s family for centuries. Since before my European ancestors arrived in the new world, the Nansemond were here. They hunted and fished on those lands. They made their homes and raised their families on those lands. The name Nansemond is Algonquian for fishing point.
The Bass and Nansemond Meet
When Nathaniel Basse arrived from England in the early 1600s, I can’t imagine what they all must have thought of one another. But in 1638, Nathaniel’s son, John married the Nansemond maiden, Elizabeth. Their story has twists and turns that I won’t go into here. But I can trace my lineage from Elizabeth down to me and my children, and now to my grandchildren.
Photo courtesy of Robert D. Maness |
The drummers beat an ancient rhythm and sang songs known to their people for generation upon generation. You could see the pride in the faces of the men of the Nansemond who had recently been sworn into the Nansemond Indian Nation Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. You could see the pride and humility in the face of my cousin, Bob, who had the honor of bearing the American flag on its journey around the circle—the drummers beating a new rhythm and singing a new, yet ancient song, honoring the flag of our country.
Meeting Chief Sam Bass |
Meeting Chief Sam Bass was an honor I will carry with me for the remainder of my days. He’s a quiet man who speaks lovingly of his people, who honors those who’ve come before us all. He knows the weight he carries on his shoulders to bring all Nansemond together as one family. It was with his leadership and that of the Chiefs who have gone before him, the work of the Tribal Council, and the work of several genealogists, that they were able to become federally recognized in 2018, after many years of hard work. They are no longer the Nansemond Tribe, but now proudly proclaim the title, Nansemond Indian Nation.
We heard you calling, Elizabeth—and we came . . . home.
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The Conversation
Debra your words paint a lovely picture in my mind and pin my hopes on attending my first Pow Wow in the near future.
From another Cousin Pamela.
Debra, you captured many of my feelings and thoughts of that weekend and experience as well. This piece is so beautifully written, thank you cousin!
Thanks for sharing Debra , well done.
An honor I hope one day achieve, is going to this Pow Wow!!
Beautiful.