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. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Monacan Powwow

Image
This has been a long time coming. I finally have a refurbished website. And with the new galleries I can show off some of the stuff I've been working on over the past year. I haven't had the opportunity to share many of it until now. Please check it out: http://www.johnboalphotography.com Much of it has been shown in various posts regarding athletes of the year, fairs...etc. On the other hand, one of my favorite "assignments" I did this year was back in May. I went down to the Monacan Nation Powwow, near Lynchburg, VA. I have a little Native American heritage ( Nez Perce´ ) in my blood, and it's always something that interested me. I read about Chief Joseph , and ever since I saw my first Ed Curtis prints, I've been fascinated by the idea of documenting indigenous people, and learning more about who they are. Kenneth Branham, Chief, Monacan Nation Robert Narcomey, Navajo/Seminole descent I think it's important to distinguish what I mean by saying "
Read more

White Elephant

Image
White Elephant Antiques as seen on insidenova.com (smaller) click this to see a full screen version on Vimeo Daughter and Father, Cynthia and Dan Beard on the front steps of the White Elephant. A couple years ago, when I first started working at the News & Messenger (it was The Potomac News at that time) I would sometimes drive around looking for inspiration and something to sink my teeth into. At this point I have such a backlog of ideas to get to and work to do on them, I don't get to wander and look around much these days. But in those days I wandered and sometimes I found interesting things. I came across the White Elephant antique store and literally did a double take when I passed the store on Bristow Rd. I had somewhere else to be but was sure to jot down a note on the location so I could come back another time. When I finally made the trip I found more antiques and books than I could believe could fit into a house. Cynthia on the back porch. I first met Cynthia Bea
Read more

stu-, stu-, studio!

Image
I'm excited to be writing this after working in a studio I only learned about from a real estate agent I worked with in the DC area.   He offered me the opportunity to check it out, and pass the word on to others that might be in need of such studio space.   Imagehouse is the place.   So the other night, with the needed help of a complete ham, my friend Keith stood in front of the lights and camera.  Presto!  We made some images.  A few of which I'm happy with.  Maybe they aren't perfectly polished.  But I liked the thought process and being able to really see what I wanted to do and make it happen (mostly).  I need to get back in there to work on some stuff, re-shoot some ideas...generally get better at studio work.   But I would be remiss if I didn't thank my other friend named Keith.   Keith Barraclough .  He let me show up at his studio a few weeks back and showed me his basic setup for all those "Making It" pictures in the Wash Post Magazine.  He also sh
Read more