Dedication of Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute

Continuing my long-term project documenting Monacan Indian Nation, I traveled to Richmond on Tuesday to photograph the dedication ceremony of Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument on the Virginia State Capitol grounds recognizing Virginia Indian Tribes. The current governor, Ralph Northam spoke, and there was the official ribbon cutting. 



Virginia Governor, Ralph Northam, performs the ceremonial ribbon cutting, during the dedication ceremony for Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument designed on Virginia State Capitol Square, in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Michelson, a New York based artist, designed the monument in Capitol Square next to the Bell Tower along North Ninth Street. John Boal PhotographyContinuing my work documenting Monacan Indian Nation, I traveled to Richmond to photograph the dedication ceremony of Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument dedicated to Virginia Indian tribes on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol. Monacan Indian Chief, Dean Branham, and former Chief, Kenneth Branham, along with tribal members Karenne Wood and Branch Branham also attended. 

Monacan Chief, Dean Branham, left, greets former Virginia Governor, George Allen, center with Ben Adams, of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, prior to the dedication ceremony for Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument designed on Virginia State Capitol Square, in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. As a U.S. Senator, George Allen first introduced the Thomasina E. Jordan bill along with Sen. John Warner, federally recognizing Monacan Indian Nation along with 5 other Virginia Tribes. This past January, the bill was signed into law. 





Virginia Governor Ralph Northam spoke at the ceremony and it was attended by current and former Virginia legislators, such as Gov. George Allen.










Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks during the dedication ceremony for Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument designed on Virginia State Capitol Square, in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.


Early this year, in January the Thomasina E. Jordan Bill was signed into law granting federal recognition to 6 Virginia tribes: Chickahominy Tribe, Chickahominy Tribe Eastern Division, Upper Mattaponi Tribe, Rappahanock Tribe Inc, Monacan Indian Tribe and Nansemond Indian Tribe. The Pamunkey tribe was federally recognized in July 2016.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, right, greets Ken Branham, center, former Chief of Monacan Nation, and former Va Gov. George Allen, during the dedication ceremony for Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument designed on Virginia State Capitol Square, in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
Alan Michelson, Mohawk member of Six Nations of the Grand River, left, speaks with Monacan Chief, Dean Branham and Karenne Wood, Monacan, prior to the dedication ceremony for Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument designed on Virginia State Capitol Square, in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Michelson, an artist based in New York, designed the monument.  

From left, Monacan Chief, Dean Branham, Chickahominy Chief, Steve Adkins, and Pamunkey Chief, Robert Gray, during the dedication ceremony for Mantle: Virginia Indian Tribute, a monument designed on Virginia State Capitol Square, in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. 

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