The Tribe

Fredericksburg Free Press

Forty miles south of Washington D.C., the county high school's mascot is an Indian. But for more than 2,600 Patawomeck tribal citizens, Indigenous identity isn't a get-up — it's a proud legacy traced back generations to some of the earliest contact with English settlers in what's now Virginia. What does it mean when that legacy comes under attack — when others in the community dispute those family ties that run as deep as the roots of a White Oak tree? Have times changed? Or does history rhyme?

Season 1

  1. EPISODE 1

    Stafford Indians

    Send us a text A special guest blesses the ballfield and a "couple" of local historians call foul on the established historical narrative about the Patawomeck Tribe.  To see extras from our reporting, including original documents and additional reading, click here.

    17 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    A Speck of evidence

    Send us a text A trip to the tribal center yields some insights, family connections — and more questions about the past.  To see extras from our reporting, including original documents and additional reading, click here.

    25 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Vital Statistics

    Send us a text Attempting to set the record straight on the records, and questioning everything in the process.  To see extras from our reporting, including original documents and additional reading, click here.

    28 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Medicine Wheel

    Send us a text A hearing about a lease renewal thrusts the MacGregors' accusations against the tribe back into the public eye.  To see extras from our reporting, including original documents and additional reading, click here.

    23 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    The two Bills, Part I: Night Owl

    Send us a text In Part I of a two-part episode, the Patawomeck Tribal Historian Emeritus explains how he traced several White Oak families back to none other than Pocahontas.   To see extras from our reporting, including original documents and additional reading, click here.

    25 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Bonus episode: Chief concerns

    Send us a text After hearing about the re-formed Patawomeck Tribe while volunteering at the library, ex-cop John Lightner applied, enrolled and ultimately rose through the ranks to become tribal chief.  To see extras from our reporting, including original documents and additional reading, click here.

    27 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Forty miles south of Washington D.C., the county high school's mascot is an Indian. But for more than 2,600 Patawomeck tribal citizens, Indigenous identity isn't a get-up — it's a proud legacy traced back generations to some of the earliest contact with English settlers in what's now Virginia. What does it mean when that legacy comes under attack — when others in the community dispute those family ties that run as deep as the roots of a White Oak tree? Have times changed? Or does history rhyme?

Information

  • Creator
    Fredericksburg Free Press
  • Episodes
    6
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Fredericksburg Free Press
  • Show Website
    The Tribe