About

Omisun:”To wake oneself up”

The Omisun: Powhatan Algonquian Intertribal Language Revitalization Program is designed to foster use of Powhatan Algonquian language across Virginia’s eight Powhatan Algonquian groups. The project is headed by the Chickahominy Indian Tribe under the guidance of the language advisory group, the Powhatan Algonquian Intertribal Roundtable (PAIR). The PAIR is comprised of eight Virginia Tribes, including the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, for a total of six federally recognized and two state recognized tribes.

PAIR Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan was formed to address the needs and priorities of the Powhatan Alongonquian speaking Language Community. The focus is to develop a sustainable Language Program available to benefit Powhatan Algonquian speaking tribes across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States.

Powhatan Algonquin Intertribal Roundtable Strategic Plan_2023 08 21.pdf

Roundtable Representatives & Tribal Support

The Powhatan Algonquian Intertribal Roundtable (PAIR) consists of at least one representative of each of the eight Virginia Algonquian Speaking tribes and are as follows:

B. Loyita Adkins - Chickahominy Indian Tribe
Raven Canada - Chickahominy Indian Tribe
Tanya Stewart - Chickahominy Indian Tribe
Jessica Phillips - Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division
Peter Springsteen - Chickahominy Indian Tribe - Eastern Division
Chief Mark Custalow - Mattaponi Indian Tribe
Lois Custalow - Mattaponi Indian Tribe
Rod Daye - Nansemond Indian Nation
Jessica Langdorf - Pamunkey Indian Tribe
Heather Gray - Patawomeck Indian Tribe
Dave Moseley - Patawomeck Indian Tribe
Jacob Fortune - Deuber - Rappahanock Indian Tribe
Lisa Richardson Deresz - Rappahannock Indian Tribe
Tommy Tupponce - Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe

We would like to thank tribal leadership for nominating representatives from each of their communities to join in the intertribal roundtable. The tribes have demonstrated a strong interest in language reclamation across the state.

For more information on each of the eight Powhatan Algonquian speaking tribes in Virginia please see below.

Partners

We extend our appreciation to our team of linguists for their dedication and enthusiasm for the revitalization and reclamation of our Powhatan Algonquian language. The linguist team includes Ian Custalow, Dr. Conor Quinn, Jesse Bruchac, and Dr. Craig Kopris.

Dr. Stephanie Hasselbacher and Lisa Bergstrom of Kenah Consulting are also key partners as they provide guidance and support through this endeavor.

Kenah Consulting

Goals

During the course of the language program development we will focus on short term goals through three areas that include conversational grammar. Basic vocabulary, and place names.

These goals will be demonstrated through resources such as:

A 24 module Minimal Course
Powhatan Algonquian Language Ambassadors to support widespread use of language learning materials
A dictionary
Powhatan Algonquian Map
Classes held by each of the 8 Virginia Powhatan Algonquian speaking tribes

The scope of this project also includes laying down the foundation for long term governance. We anticipate that this governing body, which will be comprised of members of the Powhatan Algonquian community across Virginia, will develop the capacity needed to sustain language programming without reliance on outside organizations and consultants. This intertribal governance structure will create shared ownership and resources while helping individual communities to teach, learn, and use their language in the ways that will benefit them the most.