Rappahannock Tribe reacquires ancestral Virginia land

The Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia has taken ownership of more than 460 acres of ancestral homeland along the river that bears its name, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with donors, environmentalists and government agencies.

The acquisition, announced Friday by the tribe and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, returns a section of Rappahannock River frontage known as Fones Cliffs to the tribe, which was driven away by English settlers more than 350 years ago and pushed almost to extinction by white supremacists during the 20th century.

The tribe has pledged to care for the extraordinarily rich natural environment of the site, which had been slated for commercial development just a few years ago. Fones Cliffs is a major East Coast nesting place for bald eagles, considered sacred in Rappahannock culture.

“I’m elated about it,” Rappahannock Chief Anne Richardson said in an interview before the announcement. “It is special to us because the bones of our ancestors are there.”

The tribe and its partners celebrated the acquisition in an emotional ceremony Friday afternoon, on the shores of the Rappahannock River across from a section of the cliffs. Haaland, the first Native American to serve in a presidential Cabinet, was in tears as she addressed the gathering of several hundred under a white tent in a farm field.

“I whispered over to Chief Anne before this all started and said, ‘I hope I can get through my remarks without crying,’” Haaland said, her voice breaking. “It’s not often that we get to attend such a meaningful celebration,” she added. “Thank you so much for sharing this day with me.”

Haaland praised the tribe for its “unbroken” commitment to the land despite centuries of setbacks. “We’re here today because we recognize the significance of preserving this...