GILLIES CREEK PARK 

Witness the first-hand experience of three 4th grade students from Chimborazo Elementary School as they immersed themselves in Richmond’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on November 16th, 2025 at Powhatan Hill. Thanks to the coordination of Rick Tatnall of the Pocahontas Project and Mrs. Knight, 4th grade Social Studies teacher, the students constructed interview questions that they used to speak with members of various tribes, including Tanya Stewart “Little Star” of Chickahominy, Bailey Martin of Sappony, Assistant Chief Lou Branham Parrish and Chief Diane Shields of Monacan, and “Red Eagle” of Cheroenhaka (Nottoway.)

 

The students learned from Cultural Enrichment Specialist, Tanya Stewart, as she explained the Indigenous practice of using the entire animal beyond just food, they watched a traditional sport called Shinny, they tasted fry bread from Firefly Food, LLC (Mattaponi), they danced in the intertribal dance, and they heard the importance of their efforts to learn and get to know Virginia Indians reiterated by important city leaders like Mayor Danny Avula. Wild Bridge Films followed them around with cameras as they leaned into what it means to recognize, remember, celebrate and partner with Virginia Indians who are absolutely still here.