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  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Culture
    • Our History
    • Our Land
    • Tribal Council
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    • Mattaponi News
    • Latest Newsletter
  • Opportunities
  • Citizen Portal
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  • Mattaponi Indian Tribe Files for Federal Recognition
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Aerial view of Mattaponi land

The official page of the

Mattaponi Indian Tribe & Reservation

"We are the People of the River"

The Origins of the Mattaponi

The Mattaponi are one of the original core tribes of the Powhatan chiefdom, governed by the Great Chief Powhatan also known as Wahunsenakah, the father of Pocahontas, who ruled most of Tesenacomoca (Tidewater Virginia), when the Europeans arrived in 1607.  The Mattaponi agreed to the articles of peace with the European colonists in 1646, which was later ratified in 1677.  Since 1646, the Mattaponi people have fulfilled their treaty obligations by presenting an annual tribute to the Governor of Virginia to secure our Government-to-Government relationship.

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Nannie and Powhatan Major

Mattaponi Culture

Learn about the Mattaponi. We have guided tours, skills classes and an annual pow wow.

Learn More
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Mattaponi chief and VA Governor 2023 Tribute

Get the Latest News

Our Mattaponi citizens are doing amazing things! See our newsletter for updates and key tribal information.

See News
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Mattaponi Assistant Chief J.V Custalow

Reclaiming Our Heritage

We are working to reclaim our heritage to teach our young people to move forward with wisdom, meaning, and purpose.

Our History
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MATTAPONI TRIBAL LEADERSHIP

Our current chief is Chief Mark T Falling Star Custalow. Our Assistant Chief is Brandon G. Thundercloud Custalow. Together with our chiefs, we have a council who leads the tribe.

More About Our Leadership»

Mattaponi Chiefs

All materials used on this website belong to the Mattaponi Indian Tribe & Reservation.  All content contained on this website can only be used with expressed written permission of the Mattaponi tribal council.  

Some of the above photographs are provided by The Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin as a courtesy and may be printed by the subjects in the photograph for personal use only.

Important Links

  • Public Events
  • Donate to the Cause
  • Enrollment
  • Contact Us
  • Call Us

Our Location

Mattaponi Indian Tribe  
and Reservation

1314 Mattaponi   
Reservation Circle  
West Point, VA 23181  
804-353-5908

Directions/Map

© 2025 The Mattaponi Indian Reservation. All rights reserved.

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  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Culture
    • Our History
    • Our Land
    • Tribal Council
  • Enrollment
  • News
    • Mattaponi News
    • Latest Newsletter
  • Opportunities
  • Citizen Portal
  • Donate
  • Mattaponi Indian Tribe Files for Federal Recognition