WASHINGTON—With thunderous drumming, traditional dance and a circle for prayer, Virginia Indians prepared yesterday to step onto the world stage.

For a ceremonial send-off on their trip to England, a 54-member delegation representing eight state-recognized tribes gathered to speak of promoting education and understanding across the Atlantic.

Yet the descendants of those who met the first permanent European settlers almost 400 years ago seemed poised to tell their story to an even larger audience.

“What we are celebrating,” Chickahominy Chief Stephen Adkins said, “is the fact that we have survived 400 years, that our culture remains intact, and that we can today tell the world who we are in a way that the world will stand up and take notice.”

H. Benson Dendy III, vice chairman of the federal Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission, also made a global reference.

He said the Indians’ journey will enhance understanding and promote the upcoming Jamestown 2007 events, which in turn will tackle old myths.

“We want to hear the story of Virginia Indians,” Dendy said, “told in their voices and from their viewpoints in this country and around the world.”

The delegation gathered for their send-off in the Potomac rotunda in the center of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Tribal leaders sprinkled tobacco on the floor in ceremonial fashion and Indians in regalia performed to drumbeats a “welcome dance” they plan to give again in England.

Indian chants and drumming reverberated through the 120-foot high rotunda of the newest Smithsonian museum, a striking monument on the National Mall to Indian history, culture and renewed influence.

Chief Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Tribe said the Virginia Indians’ journey would bring opportunities for reconciliation.

“I believe this is going to release a tremendous amount of spiritual energy and healing over the United States,” she said.

Chief Kenneth Branham of the Monacan Indian Nation, wearing a blue shirt adorned with American flag designs, mentioned that the Virginia tribes are respected in England as sovereign nations.

“Maybe it will show people in this country and around the world we deserve the respect we’ve been trying to get for six or seven years,” Branham said, referring to six tribes’ bid in Congress for what is called federal recognition.

Sen. George Allen, R-Va., said the Indians’ trip to England “will elevate interest in history and appreciation for descendants of those first Virginians.” He has sponsored a bill for federal recognition of the six tribes.

The group was to embark last night for England for a week of cultural demonstrations, scholarly discussions and ceremonies centered in the Kent County town of Gravesend.

It is where the Indian princess Pocahontas died in 1617 and was buried. She was married to Jamestown settler John Rolfe.

Chiefs or assistant chiefs from all eight tribes were making the trip.

“Nowhere in history, since 1607, the history of Virginia, has such a large delegation of Virginia natives gone on an official visit to England. This really is a very historic occasion,” Adkins noted to applause.

Peter Hardin is a staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Contact him at or (202) 662-7669.