Chief Kenneth Adams
Upper Mattaponi Tribe of Virginia; Native American Advocate & Historian
In addition to his responsibilities as chief of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe of Virginia, Kenneth Adams, a historian and advocate for Native Americans, also currently serves as the Special Events Director for Jamestown 2007. To mark the anniversary celebrations of the founding of Jamestown, Adams traveled with a delegation to Gravesend, England to honor Pocahontas. Chief Adams is actively involved with Congress to recognize Virginia Indians and speaks about Virginia Indians and their 400 years of survival, culture, as well as the laws and policies that affect Indians nationwide.
Chief Adams can be found visiting businesses, educating others or lobbying for the federal recognition of Native Virginia Indians, and is also active in the cultural community. He is most proud of his work with the Upper Mattaponi Tribe in King William County Virginia, where his professional work is filled with passion.
Ken Adams was elected by the Upper Mattaponi Tribe to represent one of the eight recognized Virginia Indian Tribes. Growing up in King William County, Ken was the first Virginia Indian to graduate from a public high school in the state of Virginia in 1965. The school stands today as the only public Indian School building in the state of Virginia. The Sharon Indian School was officially recognized for its historical significance and today it serves as the Upper Mattaponi Tribal Center.
Speaking Topics
· “Virginia Indians: The Forgotten People”
· “The History, and the 20th Century”
· “Public Policy as it affects the Indians of America”
· “Survival, Culture, and the Laws and Policies that affect Indians nationwide”
· “400 years of the Church and Indian relationship”
· “The relationship of the Daughters of the American Revolution and American Indian Education”
· “Issues Affecting Virginia Indians, and their relationship with other governments”
· “Virginia Indians, 400 years of survival”
· “Native American Spirituality”
· “Virginia Indians and the Jamestown 2007 Experience”