Virginia Beach City Council to Unveil Land Acknowledgment Plaque in City Hall Ceremony Feb. 5

The public is invited to join the Virginia Beach City Council at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in City Hall (Building 1), 2401 Courthouse Drive, for a ceremony unveiling the City’s land acknowledgment statement plaque, honoring indigenous peoples whose presence and contributions have shaped Virginia Beach.

“Considering the Nansemond Indian Nation’s established cultural footprint across Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach has done an exemplary job in recognizing the significance and impact of historic tribes like ours throughout the region,” said Keith Anderson, chief of the Nansemond Indian Nation. ”Virginia Beach has also prioritized the importance of cultivating relationships with our indigenous communities to promote cultural awareness, economic growth, education and indigenous stewardship. I am very excited about our continued partnership and developing our inclusive communities for generations to come.”

The statement plaque, which will be placed in the lobby area of City Hall, was developed in partnership with the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission and its Cultural Equity Committee, as well as local tribal and community volunteer advisors.

In October 2023, City Council adopted a resolution to establish partnerships between Indigenous tribes and the City of Virginia Beach. As a result of that resolution, in January 2024, the Arts & Humanities Commission’s Cultural Equity Committee was directed to engage in research, discussions and preparations necessary to provide the City’s first land acknowledgment statement.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Virginia Beach City Council for making this statement a reality,” said Michael Cloud-Butler, chair of the City’s Land Acknowledgment Committee. ”I extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the committee and City staff for their input and commitment through this two-year-long process.” 

The Cultural Equity Committee researched Virginia’s indigenous tribes and their histories, conducted outreach and engagement with tribal representatives, reviewed other statements from across North America and provided thoughtful reflection and revision of the statement.

“From the beginning of the process. it was clear to me that this was about recognizing the legacy of our Indigenous communities’ past, present and future stewardship, and I am humbled by the opportunity to have been a part of it,” said Olga Torres-Baker, chair of the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission.

Members of the Anishinaabe-Ojibwe Indian Tribe, Cheroenhaka-Nottoway Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Lenape Indian Tribe, Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond Indian Nation, Nottoway Indian Tribe, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Patawomeck Indian Tribe and Rappahannock Indian Tribe participated in and contributed to the creation of the City of Virginia Beach land acknowledgment statement.

About the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department
The Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. The department assists and directs the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, coordinates the City’s Public Art Program, oversees the Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA, the ViBe Creative District, and the Virginia African American Cultural Center, and serves as a resource to local arts and humanities organizations.