Virginia Indians

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

But for Virginia Indian tribes, that paper trail was short enough before the #RIAct #VITALVA

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

The Bureau of Indian Affairs needs a certain amount of paperwork proving tribal history before #FedRec can be granted. #VITALVA

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

The second answer is more practical. That paperwork is required for federal recognition. #VITALVA #FedRec

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

The first answer is pride. Pride in our history as a group of people who have called Virginia home for centuries. #VITALVA #FedRec

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

And why exactly, does this documentation matter? #VITALVA #FedRec

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

The historical documents that prove your right to federal recognition no longer exist. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

At the same time, your ancestors lose that right as well. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

Imagine, losing the right to put your race and heritage on a simple legal form. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

That means the paper trail of all Virginia Indians was wiped out. Gone. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

The Virginia Indian's historical records were also changed to either white or colored. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

And Virginia officials didn't stop at new legal records. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

For some reason, Mr. Plecker was allowed to continue his paper genocide. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

Plecker said tribe members were". . . Like rats when you are not watching. . . `sneaking’ Indian. . .classification.” http://t.co/t8NY68QT

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

Other Va Indians found ways to put their race on documents, which made Mr. Plecker unhappy. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

Some Monacan Indians moved away from their homes on Bear Mountain to avoid the wrath of the #RIAct. http://t.co/VKU1H5Dj

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

Walter Plecker was the man behind the terrible #RIAct legislation. #VITALVA

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

"American Indian" or "Native American" weren't allowed on birth certificates, marriage licenses or other legal documents. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

We knew we existed, but for years we weren't allowed to be a race in our native state.
#VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

Imagine, you're race isn't just discriminated against, you're told it no longer exists. #VITALVA #RIAct

[Virginia Indians @VITALVA]

For Virginia Indians, their race was no longer an option. #VITALVA #RIAct