RD395 - Annual Executive Summary - Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission - December 1, 2012 – November 30, 2013


    Executive Summary:
    Creation and Charge of the Commission

    On October 22, 2009, Governor Tim Kaine issued Executive Order 100 that established the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission pursuant to House Joint Resolution 680 (2009), Chief Patroned by Delegate Christopher K. Peace. The General Assembly approved House Joint Resolution 680 requesting the creation of a commission to recommend an appropriate monument in Capitol Square to commemorate the life, achievements, and legacy of American Indians in the Commonwealth.

    On February 5, 2013, Governor Bob McDonnell continued the Commission was with Executive Order 59. The continuation of the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission was done in solemn recognition of the courage, persistence, determination, and cultural values of Virginia’s Indians. The Virginia Indian has significantly enhanced and contributed to the Virginia society.

    From its inception, the Commission has met regularly and developed a plan for execution of a suitable tribute monument, but there is more work to be done.

    The charge of the Commission, as stated in the continuing Executive Order is the following:

    "The Commission shall identify an artist, select a design, and take all necessary actions to coordinate the construction, pursuant to applicable state construction policies, of an appropriate tribute monument on Capitol Square to commemorate the life, achievements, and legacy of American Indians in the Commonwealth. The Commission shall seek private funding for the operation and support of the Commission and the erection of an appropriate monument. However, the costs of implementation of the Commission, its work, and the compensation and reimbursement of members, estimated to be $5,000.00, shall be borne by the Commission from such private funds as it may acquire to cover the costs of its operation and work. The Commission may establish an organization with 501c(3) status for fundraising purposes. The Commission is vested with all the powers to carry out the intent of the General Assembly under House Joint Resolution 680 (2009). All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request. An estimated 200 hours of staff time will be required to support the work of the Commission.

    The Commission shall report annually the status of its work, including any findings and recommendations, to the General Assembly, by December 1st each year."

    Composition of the Commission

    The Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission shall consist of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, or their respective designees, three members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates, the Clerk of the House of Delegates, the Chair[man] of the Senate Committee on Rules, two citizen members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, the Clerk of the Senate, the Executive Director of the Capitol Square Preservation Council, three members who shall be representatives of Virginia Indians to be appointed by the Governor, and the Executive Director of the Virginia Capitol Foundation. Additional members may be appointed at the Governor’s discretion. The Chairman and the Vice Chairman shall be appointed by the Governor.

    Members of the Commission serve without compensation, but they may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

    As of November 30, 2013, the members of the Commission were: Governor Robert F. McDonnell (Chairman), Lt. Governor William T. Bolling, Speaker of the House William J Howell, Delegates Christopher K. Peace (Vice Chairman), Delores L. McQuinn, and Brenda L. Pogge, the Clerk of the House of Delegates G. Paul Nardo, Senator Ryan T. McDougle, Senator Don McEachin, Senator Thomas A. Garrett, Jr., Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar, Executive Director of the Capitol Square Preservation Council Kathleen Kilpatrick, Executive Director of the Virginia Capitol Foundation Alice Lynch, and the following gubernatorial appointees: Chief Ken Adams, Sid Turner, & Frances Broaddus-Crutchfield.

    Meetings and Significant Actions

    After a robust close to the 2012 calendar year and selection of the tribute monument design and artist, the first meeting of the calendar year was held May 10, 2013 in the 4th Floor East Conference Room in the General Assembly Building. At this convocation, the Development Committee met with Vice Chair Delegate Chris Peace presiding. After call to order by Delegate Peace brief introductions were made, after which the Commission was given an overview of the project. The Monument Group, a Richmond based fundraising consulting firm, provided the Committee with a presentation of their strategic planning services to facilitate fundraising efforts toward installation of a tribute monument on Capitol grounds. The Committee reserved the possibility for future engagement with The Monument Group with the idea of a collaborative venture between and among the Virginia Capitol Foundation, the Woman’s Monument project and this Commission. See also http://womensmonumentcom.virginia.gov/ for more information on efforts to recognize the genius and creativity of Virginia women and their presence and contributions to every aspect of the Commonwealth’s history. Actions items from this meeting included the establishment of a web presences and exploration on the subject of a joint fundraising venture.

    The Commission has chosen to enlist primarily private support to secure the resources required to celebrate the presence and contributions of our Virginia Indian tribes and it is the hope that there would be a 2015 unveiling.

    The final meeting of the year was held November 18, 2013 in Senate Room A at the General Assembly Building. The meeting was called to order by Delegate Peace. Jessica Harrison of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS) presented the official website to the Commission. The web address is http://indiantribute.virginia.gov/monument.html. A progress report regarding contract negotiations with the artist, Alan Michelson, was presented by Commission attorney Kirk Schroder, along with discussion of the Development Committee recommendation for a Capitol Square partnership. In addition to the regular agenda, the commission voted to approve and pay for the work done in coordination with the Department of General Services (DGS) for a site plan survey for the artist. The Commission also voted to authorize the Virginia Capitol Foundation to create brochures and other educational items for programs and tourism. A quorum was present.

    Additionally, the Commission continued to raise public awareness of the project through an Op-Ed published in the Richmond Times Dispatch on Sunday, December 1, 2013. A piece was published through the collaboration of Mrs. Alice Lynch of the Virginia Capitol Foundation and Delegate Peace: http://m.timesdispatch.com/opinion/their-opinion/peace-virginia-honors-indian-culture/article_eec9aed9-d7c7-57c4-9945-79a87f540671.html?mode=jqm

    "MANTLE": the Tribute and the Artist

    Alan Michelson, a Mohawk member of Six Nations of the Grand River and an award winning artist, was selected based on his unique design. The Commission’s artist attributed his ultimate inspiration to Chief Powhatan’s “mantle,” which was a deerskin ceremonial cloak, decorated with shell-beads sewn in spiral clusters. Therefore the tribute’s design takes on this distinctive spiral shape which for Powhatan would have symbolized his preeminence and authority.

    "Mantle" will be installed in the gently sloping southwest portion of the square, just north of the Bell Tower, with an eastern facing entrance. As the “Front Door” of the Commonwealth, historic Capitol Square provides a dramatic setting with historic significance and a multitude of visitors. The Square is a premier place to recognize outstanding Virginians and events, including our Virginia Indians. Oriented to the earth and incorporating existing trees in the area, the tribute, Mantle, combines four integrated spiral elements to create the shape of a Nautilus, a shell which represents strength, knowledge of the past, continuous growth, and beauty. A five-foot wide winding footpath following the outline of the monument will serve as a labyrinth which in some Indian cultures represents a sacred path to the home of an ancestor. Complementing the path will be a continuous, smooth stone wall, which also serves as a bench. Natural landscaping throughout the monument will consist of a selection of perennial native plant species, including wildflowers. A meditation area, at the center of the spiral, will feature an infinity pool made to resemble the pottery indicative of Virginia tribes. The water within the pool reflects the river culture existing within our native tribes. Decorating the sides of the sculpture are frieze-like, life-size reliefs of corn, squash, and beans (the Three Sisters) as well as oyster shells from the Chesapeake and other objects significant to the region and its native inhabitants. As visitors make their way through the path, their movements will evoke the circular dance formations found in the American Indian culture. This new communal area will create a respectful relationship with the surrounding natural world, reflecting certain spiritual values, which set Indians apart from other cultures. Finally, state-of-the-art educational programs will be developed with the assistance of the Virginia Capitol Foundation to educate the community in this revered place.