Description

The VCU Provost Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the VCU Humanities Research Center, presents Chief Stephen R. Adkins Sr. of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, who will provide insights into the complex journey of Virginia's Native nations toward federal recognition and sovereignty.

Chief Adkins will trace the historical and political landscape that culminated in the landmark 2018 federal recognition of six Virginia tribes, including his own Chickahominy Nation. Drawing on decades of advocacy and leadership, he will examine how Virginia's Native communities have navigated the federal recognition process while maintaining their cultural integrity, developing economic independence and asserting political sovereignty in the 21st century. This presentation will address critical contemporary issues, including the ongoing challenges and opportunities that federal recognition brings to tribal governance, economic development, education, cultural preservation and community self-determination. Chief Adkins will also talk about the future of Virginia's Native nations as they work to strengthen intertribal relationships, expand educational and cultural programs, and advocate for Indigenous rights at both state and federal levels. This event offers the VCU community a unique opportunity to learn directly from an esteemed tribal leader about the resilience, vision and ongoing struggles of Virginia's Indigenous nations.

Speaker Bio

Chief Stephen R. Adkins Sr. has served as Principal Chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe since 2001, leading his nation through the historic achievement of federal recognition in 2018, and guiding the tribe's ongoing development of sovereignty, economic independence and cultural preservation. As both Chief and Tribal Administrator, he oversees all tribal programs, services and departments while serving tribal citizens with what he describes as "humility and tenacity." Chief Adkins brings extensive experience in public service and business leadership to his role as tribal leader. He retired from the Commonwealth of Virginia as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resource Management, where he served in the administrations of Governors Tim Kaine and Bob McDonnell. Prior to his state service, he worked for 40 years at DuPont, demonstrating a career-long commitment to both private sector excellence and public service. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and an Associate Arts degree from Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he later served on the board of trustees and received an honorary master's degree in Humane Letters in 2007.

His leadership extends far beyond tribal governance. Chief Adkins has served on the Charles City School Board for over 20 years, reflecting his deep commitment to education and community development. He has played crucial roles in Virginia's historical commemorations, serving on both the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission and the 2019 Commemoration/American Evolution, and has served on the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. As a founding Board Member of the Chesapeake Conservancy, he has championed environmental stewardship, while his service as 1st Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Argent Federal Credit Union (after 16 years on its Supervisory Committee) demonstrates his expertise in financial governance. Chief Adkins' leadership is also rooted in his strong faith-community involvement. He serves as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Samaria Baptist Church, previously served as moderator of Dover Baptist Association (an association of 65 churches), and currently serves as 1st Vice President of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. This combination of tribal leadership, public service, business acumen, and faith-based community engagement positions Chief Adkins as a respected voice on issues of sovereignty, persistence, and the future of Virginia's Native nations.

 

This event is co-sponsored by the VCU Office of the Provost and VCU Libraries.