Letter to Students

Dear Readers,

Now that you’re halfway through this book, we hope you are gaining a better understanding of who the Monacan People are. The previous chapters have definitely given you a lot of information on the culture and lifestyle of this Nation, but we would like to tell you more about the values of the Monacan community. Although it is important to learn about their vibrant traditions and heritage, it is also important to be aware of the struggles and hardships they have faced throughout history. Unfortunately, the Monacan People have had to deal with exploitation and discrimination at the hands of other individuals.

We hope that after reading our retelling of the Elders’ stories, you understand more about how the Monacan people learned from their difficult experiences and didn’t let these struggles stop them from proudly displaying their culture to the world. You’ll learn some complicated terms from the stories in these chapters that will help you learn about why the legacy of the Nation is so strong today, and how this community has shown resilience and self-sufficiency throughout so many complex lived experiences and history.

We’re excited to share these amazing stories with you. We hope you all enjoy reading more about the rich heritage of the Monacan Nation!

Seek Knowledge!

Cate, Anna, Semony, Isabel