“It was the school year of 1962-1963, third grade… I attended the Monacan Indian School (schools) were still segregated in Amherst County, so we weren’t allowed to attend the public schools. I will never forget the day that I was pulled from my classroom along with five other children to attend a school board meeting so the officials could see what we looked like. They wanted to determine if we were light skinned enough to attend public schools. The lightest of our tribe were being selected in consideration to integrate the public schools and this is how they chose the first 42 Monacan children to enter into public schools at Elon Elementary.” — Memories recounted by soon to be Monacan Chief, Kenny Branham.
Incoming chief Kenny Branham is certainly not a newbie to the honorable role. Branham is a third-generation chief preparing to serve his fifth four-year term as chief of the Monacan Indians. He comes from a generation of elders and family members who have served as chief over the Monacans. Branham is fortunate to have witnessed change for his people and to have had a hand in that progress over the course of his lifetime. He was the first of four Monacans to graduate from Amherst High School in 1971. Outside of the Monacan people evolving past segregation, Branham says he has witnessed the recognition of his people on both the state and federal levels. His role as chief is to serve as the head representative, the face and voice of the tribe. His responsibility includes constant contact with state and federal leaders and conducting monthly tribe meetings at the Monacan headquarters in Amherst.
There are more than 2,300 Monacan Indians recognized both state and nationally, noted as a part of the tribe.
In order to be a member of the tribe one’s kinship must link to the Monacan bloodline. In January 2018, the Monacan nation was officially recognized on the state and federal levels. This is a “game changer” for the Monacan people as provides opportunities from education, to health care, to housing and more. Since the federal recognition, the Monacans established a headquarters in Amherst on South Main Street near the Amherst Public Library. The office serves as its work hub to assist the Monacan people with the necessary paperwork to renew membership cards, health care benefits, housing, grants and scholarships.
The Monacan Indians, who date back to the 1600s, originated and inhabited the mountains of Amherst County.
Today they own Bear Mountain in Amherst where their presence and culture remain through the Monacan Indian Nation and its historical landmarks. The old Monacan school building, rich in the history of the tribe, now serves as the historical museum on Kenmore Road. The old school/museum recently celebrated its 150thanniversary and is accompanied by the Monacan Episcopal Church that serves as a place of worship for the Monacans. The Natural Bridge State Park offers a life-size interactive replica of the Monacan village. The attraction is breathtaking and brings thousands of tourist traffic yearly. Annually the tribe holds a large festive pow-wow that is well attended by locals as well as out-of-town visitors. The event is open to the public and takes place on Virginia 130 on the Albert Family Farm in Elon where they celebrate the culture and history of the Monacan Nation through spiritual dance, music and rituals with the natives dressed in their tribe regalia. Proceeds support the preservation efforts and the wellbeing of the tribe. The event also encompasses many vendors that appeal to all ages. Preservation and education are of key importance to the Monacans, so much so that leading up to the annual pow wow, they provide Saturday culture classes to the Monacan children encouraging them to be proud of who they are. They also teach the children how to make the Monacan regalia and place an emphasis on the importance of respecting their elders.
“There are some very smart kids in our tribe. I hope that they will utilize the scholarships,”
The newly attained federal recognition will bring new opportunities to the Monacans, but Chief Branham cautions it will take at least another three-four years for his people to begin to reap the benefits due to the paperwork requirements. However, he hopes to see his people take advantage of what is offered, especially the scholarships. “There are some very smart kids in our tribe. I hope that they will utilize the scholarships,” he said. “There should no longer be a reason for our children not to go to college.” There is now more hope for economic development and overall well-being with the health care benefits offered. The scholarships will bring in new trades and positions of influence to the Monacan tribe for generations. Chief Branham and his tribe are committed to continue to work hard for the Monacan Nation to bring forth change and forward progress all while preserving their culture and educating others about their heritage.
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