Three distinctive Native American tribes dominated the territory now known as Virginia during the late 16th century through the 17th century. These tribes spoke three different languages — Algonquian, Siouan and Iroquoian — and lived in organized villages along the banks of the coastal waterways, in woodlands and mountain valleys. They worshipped, hunted and fished, planted crops and traded goods, much like we do today.
Chief Powhatan and and his famous daughter Pocahontas lived among the Pumunkey Tribe, the most powerful in the Powhatan Empire. They spoke the Algonquian language and were the first Indians encountered by the Englishmen at Jamestown.
Learn about other Virginia Indians
The Native American Diet
Corn, pole beans and squash were just three of the staples of the Native American diet. These "three sisters" were planted together in mounds. As the beans grew, they entwined around the corn stalks, and the squash grew around the base of the stalks. Plant your own Three Sisters Garden.
The waterways also provided a rich diet of fish and shellfish, and the woods yielded nuts, fruits and berries. The Indians considered hunting an important way of securing food and clothing, not merely a "sport" as regarded by the English gentlemen. Learn more about the Native Lifeways.
Did you survive the Voyage?
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Could you have survived?
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The Starving Time
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