Editorial: Experience the Chickahominy Fall Festival for yourself

If you haven’t experienced the Chickahominy Fall Festival and Pow-wow in Charles City, you should.

No, this is not a self-promotion for that event. It’s an event that’s not about the festival, but about the Chickahominy Tribe and people themselves.

Each year I have the opportunity to go to the event that is literally right around the corner from my residence Growing up, the depictions of the lifestyle that Native Americans live is misconstrued thanks to movies, television, and stories.

Stepping onto the tribal grounds, you see a lot more than the heritage of the tribe. You see and hear stories about each individual at the event. The best part about it is they don’t have to say a word to tell it.

Upon entering the grounds, you can feel the atmosphere of those who worked hard to put the event together. You see the lessons taught by the adults to children as many of the Native American youth work stations and assist with transporting guests from the parking lots to the grounds via golf carts. Native American tribes from across the nation attend the event to join in with the Chickahominy Tribe during this annual celebration.

The most impactful stories that are told at the pow-wow are the ones expressed through each individual’s attire. These are not “costumes” (as I explained to one person. The clothing is a symbol of expression and individuality. Each feather, each color, each material that is used signifies importance to the person wearing it. From the headdress to bells on shoes to each accompanying accessory, these items are made and created by that tribe member. When a young lady of the tribe cries because she gets to represent them as Miss Junior Chickahominy, you can tell the impact her culture… excuse me… her tribal family has had on her.

I’m not an expert on the Chickahominy Tribe nor their cultures, but I am grateful to them. They are just like us in the everyday world, but this event allows them to share their history to us. My words can’t do them justice, but my love and support for such magnificent people will have to do for now.