Marker helps shed new light on history

Since the dawn of civilization, historians have been tasked with recording meaningful events. And when diverse societies and cultures clash, history is written from the victor’s standpoint.

A prime example is what transpired over the centuries following the first white European settlers setting foot on the homeland of a multitude of Native American tribes.

But in recent decades, strides have been made to incorporate the Native American point of view. Another step in that direction took place Dec. 14 inside the Chickahominy Tribal Center in Charles City County.

Chiefs from surrounding tribes gathered with local and state government officials to unveil a highway historical marker denoting the significance of Orapax, a Native American town known to have existed during the reign of Chief Powhatan and arrival of the first white settlers.

Orapax did not survive the ravages of time. Today, its exact location remains a mystery. But from bits and pieces of evidence, historians place the town somewhere along the Chickahominy River, perhaps on the river’s north side in what is now western New Kent County. For that reason, the marker is to be erected alongside Route 60 in New Kent near the river at Bottoms Bridge.

The Orapax marker is one of 103 in a state-sponsored effort, dubbed the “Diversity Marker Program,” that began five years ago to replace highway signs that gave inaccurate or slanted depictions of events.

“We’re trying to make sure all stories are being told, and we’re creating an open door to serve all of Virginia,” Virginia Department of Historic Resources director Kathleen Kilpatrick told those gathered for the unveiling.

“The early signs that are being replaced make you cringe in how they depict Native Americans,” she said.

Stephen Adkins, chief of the host Chickahominy tribe, agreed with Kilpatrick’s assessment of the old signs, which were erected close to 70 years ago. Many of those signs labeled Native Americans as pagans and savages.

Pointing to signs like the new Orapax marker, he told the crowd, “It’s refreshing to see markers not depict us a crazy savages who destroyed people and property. That’s not what we were.

“We’ve found that after 400 years if we want our story told we have to tell it,” he said. “We have persevered and stuck together and grown stronger. The adversity we’ve faced over the last 400 years has caused Virginia Indians to meld and grow stronger.”

Gene Adkins, chief of the Eastern Chickahominy Division, praised the state’s replacement program, adding, “The [Orapax] marker is another way local people and tourists can know the history of Virginia Indians.”

Charles City Board of Supervisors chairman Sherri Bowman echoed Adkins’ comments.

“This is a great tool to see where we’ve been so we know where we’re going,” she said. “We have to know where our roots are so we can grab hold of those roots and keep growing.”

Chris Peace, who represents the 97th District in the state’s House of Delegates, told those in attendance the Orapax marker is “another monument in the effort to recognize indigenous people who made contributions to what we enjoy today.”

He added that the highway marker program could fall victim to budget cuts under the state’s ongoing economic crisis.

“But I’m sure DHR will find a way to keep the marker program not only alive, but also vibrant,” he said. “[The program] emphasizes the importance of Virginia and preservation of history.”