COURTLAND—Just a couple of days after heavy storms in Western Tidewater, the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indians’ Green Corn Dance was blessed with clear skies and dry ground last weekend. This opened the way for visitors near and far to the 15th annual Intertribal Powwow and Gathering. The event took place at the Cattashowrock Town, a native palisade village, located off Old Bridge Road in Courtland.

Among the visitors were David and Adam Bryant who came down from Richmond to visit parents/grandparents Dorothy and George Bryant of Southampton County.

“Adam loves drums,” said his father, and added that the interest in Native Americans comes from his mother, who is a good friend of Chief Walt “Red Hawk” Brown.

“She’s always been fascinated with the culture,” added David.

Claudette “Rain Flower” Orie said her great-grandmother was a full Cheroenhaka Indian. But only last year did Orie decide to register herself. A resident of Carrollton in neighboring Isle of Wight County, she brought her grandchildren, Nia and Mya Orie.

Lyndsee Crickenberger from Dreweryville had been to the village before with her classmates. This time she brought her parents, Lisa and Josh Crickenberger II, along with baby sister, Emma, for their first visit. They got to meet with Mike “Thunderdancer Sees the Ground” Cranford, who is a member of the Cherokee tribe. He said he’s come up from North Carolina to the powwow for the past 14 years.

Derek Begay came over from Hampton to attend with his sister, Chandler. They heard about the powwow from their father, Edward.

“We’re having a blast,” said Derek, who said he’s from Arizona.

Later he and his sister proved their enthusiasm by participating with other visitors and Native Americans during one of invitational dances.

For additional information about future powwows, call 562-7760 or visit www.cheroenhaka-nottoway.org or visit on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CheroenhakaNottowayIndianTribe.