Richmond Indigenous Peoples’ Day (rescheduled)

The 2025 Richmond IPD celebration will offer information and insight into the history and culture of Virginia’s recognized Indian Tribes, with special attention to the Monacan Indian Nation. An extensive picture and information display will be set up in Powhatan Hill Park. Attendees can also browse the offerings of Virginia Indian arts and crafts vendors and enjoy Fry Bread, Strawberry Tea and other treats for purchase. Attendees may bring their own food and beverage refreshments – no alcohol allowed. The overall event runs from 12:00 to 5:00pm with the following schedule of activities:

12:00 to 1:00pm > Interfaith Service Celebrating Virginia’s Indian Tribes and Peace
• Facilitated by the RVA interfaith community
1:00 to 2:30pm > Powhatan Shinny League – Explanation / Demonstration / Exhibition
• Shinny is a Native American sport – a precursor to field hockey and lacrosse – played long ago by tribes across the country. The Powhatan Shinny League (PSL) is leading shinny’s resurgence in Virginia and will explain and demonstrate how Shinny is played, and then offer an exhibition with some event attendees invited to participate.
2:45 to 5:00pm > Virginia Tribal Celebration
• Headlining the day’s activities will be the Virginia Tribal Celebration, a cultural experience similar to a Virginia Indian Pow-Wow. Kicking off at 3pm under the direction of Coordinator Connor Tupponce (Upper Mattaponi Tribe) the baseball infield at Powhatan Hill will be transformed into a dancing circle (actually a dancing diamond), offering all the elements of a Pow-Wow with a Master of Ceremonies, a Drum, Select Virginia Tribal Dancers and a Virginia Indian Honor Guard, with the following schedule:
2:45 to 3:00pm
• Gathering of Chiefs, Tribal Dancers and Special Guests / Opening welcome by the Master of Ceremonies describing the nature of the event and appropriate protocols
3:00 to 3:30pm
• Grand entry of the Eagle Staff and flags (US and Tribal) to include Tribal Leadership, Elected Officials, Community Dignitaries, and Tribal Dancers
• Flag Song honoring the Eagle Staff and Flags
• Veterans Honoring Ceremony
• Invocation, Opening Remarks by Monacan Chief Diane Shields + other Chiefs in attendance; additional remarks from state/local dignitaries and supporting organizations
3:30 to 3:45pm
• Tribal dance performances: Exhibition dancing (showcasing each category)
3:45 to 4:05pm
• Virginia Indian / Pow-Wow cultural education session – Tanya Stewart (Chickahominy Tribe)
4:05 to 4:25pm
• Tribal dance performances: Inter-tribal dancing (all tribal dancers)
4:25 to 4:35pm
• Comments from community leaders, presentation to the Monacan Indian Nation
4:35 to 5:00pm
• Tribal dance performances: Inter-tribal dancing (all tribal dancers) and social dancing (including all in attendance)
5:00pm
• Retiring of the Eagle Staff and Flags followed by closing remarks