Chapter 4: Riding into Monacan Tradition

After the game, Diane tells Maverick she wants to take him to see something special. Without questioning, Maverick jumps into his Nana’s car full of excitement as they drive 10 minutes before they arrive at their destination. Every time Nana has a surprise, Maverick knows it is going to be amazing

Nana glances at Maverick, who is bouncing a little in his seat as they drive down the winding road in the late afternoon sun that bathes the trees in golden light.

“You remind me of myself when I was your age,” she chuckles.

“Always eager to see something new, always full of energy.”

Maverick grins in response and asks. “Were you as fast as me, Nana?”

Nana laughs. “Oh, I was quick. I needed to be quick with my hands as well as my feet. When I was younger, before the sun even rose, my mother would make me get out of bed and make me take care of the garden.  Knowing that we were cultivating food for our entire family and the community brought a sense of calm to working with the earth. I used to complain about it, but after I stepped outside and enjoyed the refreshing morning air everything changed.”

Maverick tilts his head and wonders, “So, everyone shared what they grew?”

“That’s right,” Diane nods. “That’s the Monacan way. If one family had extra squash and another had plenty of beans, we’d trade. No one ever went hungry because we took care of each other. My grandmother used to tell me stories about how our people have been doing that for centuries. Long before grocery stores, our ancestors farmed this land, hunted in these forests, and fished in the ta:kse:. They respected nature, never taking more than they needed.”

Maverick watches as the trees fly past outside the car window. “Have you ever caught biso:ká?”

Diane grins. “Oh, lots. Our grandfather used to take me and my brothers down to the James River. He taught us to read the water and to be patient. And we expressed our gratitude when we eventually caught something. Another lesson my grandmother taught me was to respect the land because it is what sustains us, rather than simply taking from it.”

Maverick contemplates her words with a nod. “So, is that the reason we’re visiting the garden? To observe how everything works?”

Diane smiles proudly at him. “Exactly. It is perhaps even more significant than the baseball field. We gain patience, accountability, and thankfulness out here. You’ll also learn a little bit about that today.”

Maverick smirks and replies. “As long as I don’t have to get up before the sun like you did.”

Diane turns the wheel on the road and laughs. “We’ll see about that.”

When they finally arrive at the farm, Maverick’s eyes twinkle as he looks at the garden in front of them.

The Monacan Way: Plant, Share, Care 

Maverick and Diane step out of the car, and their eyes are met by the beauty of the farm along with the garden. Diane reminds Maverick that though playtime is fun and exciting, there are other important aspects of everyday life in the Monacan tribe. The vibrant gardens and farms, full of ripe fruits and plenty of green vegetables, are just, if not more, as valuable as the baseball field. The Monacan people have always cared deeply about the land, growing food not just to feed their own families but to provide and share with the entire community. These farms and gardens continue to in the Monacan nation’s ability to grow their food.

Nana and Maverick continue to walk along the narrow dirt path, with the feeling of warmth on their backs from the shining sun. Walking, they are met with beautiful gardens, where rows of corn, beans, and squash grow tall and strong. The Monacan people have always grown their crops. These crops have always been special because of how they work together in such a unique way. The mą:ta:xe: stands tall above all the crops, providing support for the beans to climb. The beans add nutrients to the soil, which is their way of helping the plants grow. The mątamaį yili:p is spread along the ground, keeping the soil moist and preventing weeds from growing. These are the three sisters of the Monacan people.

“The crops work together as a community, just like we do. The only way all these plants thrive and survive is by supporting one another.” Nana explains proudly as Maverick’s smiles grow.

“How do we make sure we’re taking care of our crops?” Maverick asks Diane.

“Soon, you will see,” she quickly responds.

Stepping into the garden, Maverick notices that everyone working has a role in taking care of the plants. Boys and girls, young and old, working side by side, taking care of the garden so it lasts for centuries. Instead of having only men work with the crops, the Monacan people believe that both boys and girls should learn how to grow food for their community. Girls aren’t just expected to stay inside— they are actively planting, harvesting, and tending to the land as the boys. The Monacan Nation understands that any differences between their people do not matter; they are all Monacan, and they all have a role.

Maverick looks out towards the end of the garden, where he sees some of the middle-aged women showing young boys how to plant seeds and young girls carrying baskets full of vegetables. Mav starts to understand how the garden is a symbol of community.

Hard work has always been an important value in the Monacan Nation. Taking care of the land hasn’t always been easy, but the Monacan people know that working together is the best way to care for their sacred land. Families help each other out, so no one needs to struggle alone.

Everyone in the Monacan nation has each other’s backs. Maverick smiles as he watches parents and grandparents exchanging vegetables and sharing laughter. In this moment, Maverick realizes it isn’t just about farming or gardening, it is about looking out for each other.

Beyond the gardens, Maverick watches a group of people gathering wood. His great-grandmother mentions that the Monacan nation worked together to collect firewood as an important part of their daily lives. Wood is still needed for warmth, cooking, and building homes— just like when Diane was growing up.

Similarly with farming and gardening, the Monacan people believe everyone shares the responsibilities. So, everyone can collect logs. The idea that only men should do physical labor is not part of the Monacan tradition. Instead, everyone contributes in the ways that best help the community.

As a group of children run by, Maverick recognizes a girl from school. She is in the grade above him. Andrea, Maverick recalls her name, picks up a small bundle of sticks. She looks to Maverick and remarks, “I love helping gather wood. I’ve been helping my uncle since I was 6 years old! Come over, Maverick, I can show you how!” Maverick glances at his great-grandmother, eager to see her expression. She gives him a nod of approval, and off he runs. Maverick races up to Andrea and the other children as they begin stacking firewood for the Monacan community.

Just before Maverick walks back over to Nana, Andrea reminds him, “That is what makes us strong. We don’t worry about who’s supposed to do something. We all help each other. That is the Monacan way.” Maverick looks at Andrea, slightly confused. Andrea smiles and says, “I overheard you talking with your Nana on my way to the garden.”

She holds his gaze for a moment before adding, “Strength is more than physical. It’s about knowing when to step up and when to lean on your people. It’s about resilience, about carrying your ancestors’ wisdom with you and honoring them by how you live. That’s the kind of strength that lasts.”

Andrea looks at Maverick with a proud smile. “We all have it. I see it in you, too, Maverick. You just have to trust it.”

Hard Work Despite Hardships

After helping Andrea gather the sticks, Maverick runs back to Nana, his It’a:ko. Excited and curious, Maverick asks, “So did the men and women do the same jobs?”

“Kind of,” Nana responds. “The men and women worked together, and we created a strong community. However, the women and men still had their own jobs. The men did the harder physical labor around the farm while the women, although they also helped with the more physical tasks, primarily cooked and helped around the house from a young age. From the age of eight, girls would immediately be put to work around the house and in the kitchen. Because of their similar tasks, men and women were viewed as equally important in their community, which unfortunately was not as common of a belief back then.”

“8?!” Maverick exclaims. “I’m almost 11.”

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter how old you are, you always help your family however you can,” Nana explains. “You see, your great aunt has been taking care of her family since she was 8. Now she is almost 95 years old and still loves to take care of people. This is part of who we are. These life skills were developed at a young age, and the value of hard work was instilled in both the boys and the girls. Everyone had to work, and every child was treated the same and valued for their work.”

“Hard work was and still is such a valuable trait for the Monacan Nation and their people. Whether they are young or old, Monacans have a tendency to work hard and long,” Nana states. “Your great-uncle has worked since he was 13 and now he is 75 and still going strong. Your cousin has also helped her mother with the cooking for the past few years even though she is younger than you”!

“Come, Maverick,” Nana grins and shuffles him towards the car. “Let’s get in the car so we can go to Teresa’s house.”

“We are going to Grandma’s House?” Maverick reiterates excitedly. “I can’t wait to see her!”

“She can’t wait to see you, too,” Nana shares.

Diane and Maverick both get in the car.

“Buckle your seatbelt, Maverick!” Nana insists. “Safety first.”

“Okay!” Maverick exclaims.

Nana starts the car, and they start their 10 minute car ride to Teresa’s House.

“Anyways,” Nana continues, “the hard work of our people comes from our culture and how our ancestors had to work to survive. Even small everyday things are important. For example, guess who helps fix up this car every time it breaks down?”

“Who?” Maverick asks.

“Your great uncle does. Even though he is older, he is still working very hard as a mechanic and has always helped keep my car running smoothly.”

“Is that why you have had that car for so long? Because Uncle Scotty always fixes it?” Maverick wonders aloud.

“That’s right, Mav!” Nana answers. “However, Monacans don’t only work hard by doing physically laborious jobs like a mechanic or truck driver. We work hard to keep our land and identity, and to maintain our culture. For instance, when I speak to you in our language, I am working hard to maintain our culture and identity and pass it to you. In the same way our Powwows are also ways that we maintain our culture and identity. We also fight to make sure we keep the land that belongs to us. Identity, culture, and land are all things that our people work hard to keep.”

Confused, Maverick questions, “Why do we have to work hard to keep our land, identity, and maintain our culture? Isn’t that something that can’t be taken away?”

“Unfortunately, Maverick, there were many ways that our land, identity, and culture were taken away from us,” Nana answers. “We had to move from our land, change who we are, and our legal identity was also modified to hurt us.”

“What do you mean?” Maverick probes.

“There are different types of identity Maverick. Our personal identity is how we see ourselves. For instance, we are kind, proud, and hard working. This is our personal identity. However, we also have a legal identity which is defined by our gender, race, and other metrics.”

“First, they tried to take away part of our culture by forcing us to go to schools that only taught and spoke in English. This slowly eliminated our language, which is part of our personal identity, and along with other restrictions against us, many of our cultural traditions were starting to be forgotten.”

“Also, for thousands of Monacans and other Natives, our legal documents that listed us as Monacan and Native American were changed so that we were listed as other races such as African American or White. This changed our legal identity. Because of this change, the government undercounted our population which negatively impacted us economically, socially, and politically.”

Between 1885-1940, thousands of Native and Monacan documents were modified to underrepresent their population. Undercounting the Native population negatively affected the federal funding (money) that natives receive as well as their political representation and influence. Natives receive funding from the U.S government because they have their own government and relationship with the U.S government. This funding is based on how large their tribe is and is reduced if the tribe’s population is smaller. This funding is important because it helps native tribes survive. Political representation is important because when the government is making decisions that directly impact the Monacan Nation and Native tribes, the tribes involved need their opinions to be considered.

“Wow,” Maverick says in awe. “That is terrible.”

Nana affirms Maverick’s answer: “It is scary. But this is part of the reason why we work so hard. You can always take away the good from even the worst situations.”

Maverick ponders for a second then responds. “I think I understand. When we work hard in everything that we do, it becomes a part of who we are.”

“You’re exactly right!” Nana exclaims. “Whether it is doing physical work, working at our jobs, or even cooking, we always put our all into it.”

That food and cooking must have tasted so good since Monacan’s work so hard to make it,” Maverick beams.

“You are right, Maverick,” Nana agrees. Food was one of many ways that Monacans expressed their culture. Just like you eat Mexican food and Italian food, Monacans put their own flavors on food we know.

“Like what?”

“Traditional soul food like mac & cheese and collard greens, and other foods like rice and beans were all commonly made at the house and during gatherings. Food was a way to bring people together, and it helped to unite the community. Every Sunday after church, the Monacan community comes together and eats. This is where ideas are passed along throughout the community and memories are made. Every Sunday, the Monacan community grows stronger.”

Monacan Pride and Respect

“Respect for everyone, especially your elders, was another value that Monacan kids adopted from a young age,” Nana continues. “Treating everybody with respect is a big part of how we, as Monacan parents and grandparents, want our kids and family members to act. How we treat others helps to overcome the negative views that some people have about Monacans. On top of being respectful, Monacans are also very kind to one another and to others. Kindness is not only used to combat hate but also helps to spread love. Keeping these values throughout several generations of Monacans has helped them maintain their root identity, even if other parts of their culture have been taken away. Even though their language, traditions, and location have changed, who they are has not.”

Maverick ponders, “It’s weird, in a good way, listening to being a Monacan explained. I guess I just took it all for granted in a way since I’ve only known this way to live. But hearing about our people and culture makes me proud that we have such strong traditions and beliefs.”

“Yes, Maverick, our strong culture and traditions are a big reason why Monacans have such a large sense of pride,” Nana elaborates. “Being proud to be a Monacan is such an important part of who a Monacan is. Everybody should be happy with who they are, but with Monacan’s this pride comes from many things. When European settlers took over this land, Monacan fought hard to combat them. This is the land that the Monacans lived on for hundreds of years, and it was taken away. After that, the Monacan language was banned, and slowly their traditions were starting to be lost. As the United States grew, the room for Monacans decreased. Through many different ways, maintaining their Monacan identity became almost impossible.”

“However, like Chief Seattle, of the Duwamish and Suquamish people, said, “When you know who you are; when your mission is clean, and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will; no cold can touch your heart’ no deluge can dampen your purpose.”

“This is why Monacans are so proud of who they are,” Nana concludes as she continues her drive to Teresa’s house.

“Even though we face many hardships like disease, famine, and death, we persevered and became stronger as a people. When people overcome these hardships, especially as a community instead of by themselves, they learn important things about who they are. By colonists trying to remove and erase our people, we learned that even though so much was taken from us, our identity and pride in who we have always stayed. However, Monacans don’t think they’re better than others. We just would never trade our lives for anybody else’s.”

“This is what pride means,” Nana finishes. “Pride is not arrogance, it is not hurtful, and it is not negative. Pride is something that everybody should have, and the Monacan nation needed to survive.”

Maverick’s mouth opens, but he’s speechless. It takes him a minute to respond: “Wow,” Maverick awed. “Even though all these bad things happened, we stayed together.”

“Yes, for the most part.”

“Then why did all these bad things happen to us if they saw how good of a people we are?” Maverick probes.

“We can’t control how other people treat us Maverick, but we can control how we treat others. Make sure you never forget that.”

Finally, Nana and Maverick arrive at Teresa’s house and pull into the driveway.