Upper Mattaponi Chief tells Democrats why his tribe deserves federal recognition

Chief Kenneth Adams of the Upper Mattaponi (courtesy George Loper)The state of Virginia recognizes eight Indian tribes, six of whom are seeking federal recognition so they can have more self-governance and self-reliance.V On January 19, 2008, Chief Kenneth Adams of the Upper Mattaponi updated a crowd assembled at the monthly breakfast of the Charlottesville and Albemarle County Democrats on the status of pending legislation to grant federal status to the six tribes. Adams was the first Indian in Virginia to graduate from a public high school.