MENU
CHAMAH !
The purpose for this page is to invoke a lively discussion concerning our Wicocomico tribe and it's place in todays society; to discuss what position we want to take concerning issues that affect Native Americans, and what we can do to effect change.Questions concerning our genealogy will be placed on line for open discussion. Until we have a guest comment site in operation, we request that an email be sent to the below address and it will be placed on this site.
HELP!
Recently one of our brother tribes went on line with a very serious problem
and our government allows this problem to continue. The Amonsoquath Indian Nation
has constantly turned down the prospect of operating casino's for their economic
well being.Because of their refusal to operate casino's ,other problems have exacerbated
their economic decline.
The complete story of their plight can be read at
TAPTICO-TAPP
Two items that are of particular interest to all Tapps and that is the question concerning Taptico I and Taptico II (s) marriage to Elinder and Elizabeth. The Lile's Fulcher, Tapp books states they are European, but offer no proof and after years of research I have not found proof. By the late 1600s and early 1700s, many of the Native Americans had taken english names, the Tapp, Fulcher book may have made some assumptions, not understanding the situation at that time. Until we have proof the assumption will be, the wives were english, not fact, assumption.Another question that needs serious research. In 1705, Robert Beverley wrote "The History and Present State of Virginia", Beverley wrote; Wicocomico has but three men living,which yet keep up their Kingdom, and retain their Fashion; they live by themselves, separate from all other Indians, and from the English. This is difficult to believe for the following reasons.from "EXECUTIVE JOURNALS OF THE COUNCIL OF COLONIAL VIRGINIA"
APRILL the 19th 1710, William Taptico King of the Wiccocomoco Indians came before the President and Council and presented three Indian Arrows as an acknowledgement for the land he and his Nation holds in Northumberland County which at the desire of sd King is Ordered to be noted in the Council books to perpetuate the claim of the said Nation of Indians to their land.
OCTOBER 19, 1713: Complaint being made to this Board by John Vesey, Chief Man of the Wicocomico Indians that one Richard Ball of Northumberland County hath for severall years; the complaint goes on about the complaint, the important part of this complaint is, the Council directed the Attorney General to take legal action if Ball was wrong.
Does this sound like a nation with only three men ? On both occasions the English backed the action,they accepted Taptico's tribute,and accepted the complaint from Vesey.This is an area that needs much more research.
Posted October 1, 2000 by Al Byrd
ISSUES
There are several issues that should be addressed by the Wicocomico to express our support,not to curry favor, but because it's right. Several tribes have expressed their displeasure concerning the use of Indian caricatures or slogans on sports uniforms.One that is especially degrading is the one used by the Cleveland Indians.Lets suppose this was that of a Afro-American or American Asian, or someones interpretation of a person of Polish descent, or better yet have a caricature of a blonde white women. The team would not be in business long. Another derogatory slogan is the; "Washington Redskins" this team is in the back yard of our Capital. When these teams are on TV, children see the names and makes an impression on them and not a good one. To many this may seem trivial, but this hits at the core of a persons dignity and self-worth.If at any time a member feels strongly about an issue and would like to write a letter to their congressman, let me know and we will address the issue through our tribal government.
About eight years ago the Government passed the "Native Americans Grave Protection and Repatriation Act"(NAGPRA). In a nut shell it makes it a crime to remove Indian remains from their burial grounds and bones of indians that are in museums,universities and other areas must be returned to the tribes.Again the tribes are running in to opposition from archeologists and other research groups; tribes are protected against further abuse of their burial grounds on government property but not on private property. To put it bluntly, how would you like it if someone dug up your grandmother, to study her bones.Again this is an issue that we should watch closely.
Posted October 6, 2000