In a world where progress often means paving over the past, a remarkable story of cultural revival unfolds along the serene banks of Virginia’s Mattaponi River. The Upper Mattaponi Tribe’s recent reacquisition of 853 acres of ancestral land, a part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is not just a triumph in land restoration but a beacon of hope for indigenous communities globally. This historic event, facilitated by NOAA and supported by over $3 million in federal funding, represents more than a territorial win. It marks the tribe’s return to a landscape intrinsically tied to their identity and cultural heritage. The … Continue reading Upper Mattaponi Tribe’s Historic Return to Ancestral Lands Along Mattaponi River