A coalition of Virginia’s tribal nations is rallying to protect what they describe as one of the most significant Indigenous sites in the commonwealth’s history — a place deeply tied to the origins of Chief Wahunsenacawh, more commonly known as Chief Powhatan.
The 530-acre site is located in eastern Henrico County near the north bank of the James River, off Route 5 near Osborne Turnpike. The property contains state-recognized historic sites, including Powhatan’s birthplace, Tree Hill.
Development on the land has been inactive for nearly a decade, but cultural preservation advocates and the Indigenous community in Virginia have united to raise awareness of the property’s historic significance.
In May, the property was added to a list of Virginia’s most endangered historic places by Preservation Virginia, a local nonprofit that protects historic places in the commonwealth through advocacy and stewardship.
Ashley Spivey is a citizen of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and an anthropologist who works with tribal communities to preserve important cultural and historic resources. She told VPM News, the tribes share a responsibility to protect places connected to their common ancestry and history.
Spivey's effort has brought together several representatives from Virginia tribal nations. Virginia recognizes 11 tribes (seven of which are also recognized federally): nine through legislation, two through colonial treaties.
“We know that it’s in our best interest to come together and work together to ensure a place like Powhatan’s village or birthplace is protected,” Spivey said.
Spivey noted that the group is not reacting to a new rezoning request, but a renewed interest in a project initially approved before several Virginia tribes were federally recognized.
In 2007, Henrico’s board of supervisors approved the Town of Tree Hill project. The 530-acre development along Osborne Turnpike called for over 2,000 housing units, commercial space, parks and open space.
The project had stalled, but in 2024, Canada-based developer Brookfield Residential announced an agreement to purchase the property and revive much of the previously approved vision.
Brookfield representatives did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
Spivey — who emphasized that Virginia law requires tribal consultation on permitting and developments for developments that may include Indigenous landmarks, structures or burial sites — said Virginia’s tribal communities haven't really been at the table in a “consistent and meaningful way” to determine what artifacts remain at the site.
“Historically, there has not been really any kind of meaningful consultation engagement from the state or from other localities," Spivey said. "We have done outreach to the county regarding the situation and our strategy right now is just to get the word out there about the significance of this place."
She added the site’s importance extends beyond Indigenous history — there is some evidence of hidden layers of African American and Civil War history
Allyson Gray, a member of the Pamunkey Tribal Council, said there are limited legal options to stop future development. That’s why the current campaign is focused on public awareness, rather than a zoning fight.
“We are not against development. We just want to be included in the conversations,” Gray told VPM News. “To just completely disregard us as people in our histories is sad.”
Connor Tupponce, cultural and natural resources advisor for the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, told VPM News the current fight reflects a broader effort to ensure Indigenous voices are included in decisions involving ancestral lands and cultural resources.
“We all decided pretty quickly as a community that this was a fight worth investing in,” Tupponce said. “We may be spread pretty thin, but this site is too important to our shared history to let it fall by the wayside.”
Troy Adkins, second assistant chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, said preserving places like Powhatan’s birthplace allows future generations to learn directly from the landscape.
“I think it's very important that we preserve these historical sites, because that's really a part of our history and who we are.” Adkins told VPM News. “The land tells us. It tells a story that we may not know.”
The tribes are now focused on engaging with Henrico officials and encouraging broader support for preservation efforts. Even if legal options may be limited, the group believes establishing public recognition of the site’s significance and equitable communication with the developer could influence its future.
