Dr. Sheila K. Wilson Elliott spent her childhood in Suffolk, unaware of the significance of her heritage in the indigenous Nottoway Indian Tribe, learning at a time when “information about Indians was just not available to us in school, and we pretty much felt that we were extinct.” Today, the Nottoway are acknowledged historically as one of Virginia’s strongest indigenous tribes, with documents dating to 1609 showing the tribe’s presence in Virginia. And as the Nottoway prepare for their yearly powwow in Surry County, Dr. Elliott is excited at the opportunity to ensure that the long and rich history of the First Nation is shared, sustained and celebrated. “It’s a lot of work that goes into a powwow,” Dr. Elliott says, “but it’s well worth it because of the information and the education that we provide.” The amount of labor needed to maintain such an important culture and legacy would be taxing for some people, but it’s no problem for Dr. Elliott, who works as a clinical pharmacist specialist and serves as chair of the Virginia Nottoway Circle & Square Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the tribe. The foundation’s mission is to educate tribal citizens and residents of Southampton County and beyond about the role that the Nottoway played in history and continue to play today. Her term as chair runs through June. Asked how she manages these endeavors, Dr. Elliott points to a single motivating phrase: “If you want to get something done, find somebody who’s busy.” The foundation was started in 2007 by the Tribal Council of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, which has more than 180 members. “It provides a means of formal connection to our ancestors — those Nottoway Indians who were here at first contact,” Dr. Elliott says. “The tribe provides its citizens the opportunity to reclaim their identity in a way that can be traced back many hundreds of years.” Thanks in part to this storied legacy, the Nottoway tribe was formally recognized by the state in 2010. They are the only tribe to have completed the Virginia Council on Indians’recognition process, which took several years and initially ended in rejection. “Initially, we were not welcomed,” Dr. Elliott says. “But as time has passed, there is a better understanding of our history and historical significance in Virginia.” Dr. Elliott’s work with the foundation is furthering that understanding through various initiatives that include community outreach efforts, mobilizing Nottoway citizens and resource gathering through grant applications, with a specific focus on education, an area with obvious importance for the future of the Nottoway. “The kind of thing we are trying to get through to our young people is that native people do exist,” Dr. Elliott says. “First Nations people do exist. We are here.” She describes the annual powwow as “a reunion of sorts, a gathering and celebration of our history and heritage through prayer, dance, song and music. “During our powwows, we celebrate The Creator and Mother Earth from which we come,” Dr. Elliott continues. “A major component is the education we provide to children and adults through arts, crafts, demonstrations and re-enactments. We welcome the public to participate with us during our celebration. And we especially welcome our nation’s veterans for their service to our country.” Meet a First Nation advocate, leader and this week’s Personality, Dr. Sheila K. Wilson Elliott:

Current occupation: Clinical pharmacist specialist.

No. 1 volunteer position: Chair, Virginia Nottoway Circle & Square Foundation.

Date and place of birth: 1958 in Franklin in Southampton County. Current residence: Portsmouth.

Education: Bachelor’s in biology, University of Virginia, 1979; bachelor’s in pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia, 1982; doctor of pharmacy degree, VCU-MCV, 1987; and MBA, Hampton University, 1996.

Family: Husband, retired Judge Archie Elliott Jr., and mother, Eunice W. Wilson.

Relevance of foundation today: The organization provides a means of “finally being able to connect to who we really are.” Our citizens feel a sense of “validation” of the oral history passed down through the years.

The Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia is: An Iroquoian-speaking people mentioned continuously in early writings about Virginia. Historically, the Nottoway was one of the strongest Indian tribes in the region. It was with the Nottoway that other tribes in the area sought solace when confronted with challenges from other “outsider” tribes and environmental stressors.

Number of members: 180-plus members.

What does is mean to be a historic tribe in Virginia: Virginia has a process through the Virginia Council on Indians which “recognizes” tribes with criteria similar to that from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. In February 2006, our Tribe began the process by submitting a letter to the VCI for a recommendation for formal state recognition. Our tribe submitted an impressive petition which included sources charting the Nottoway existence from the mid-17th century to the present, indisputable genealogical data tracing 10 family lines back to the 19th century Nottoway ancestors, and testimonials from local residents, one as old as 80 years, confirming the continued existence and identity of tribal members as Indians in southeastern Virginia. Once begun, the process which was to have been completed in approximately one year actually took three years, ending in denial by the VCI. Later on, our tribe, along with two others, pursued and was granted recognition by the Virginia Legislature.

How many recognized tribes are there in Virginia? 11.

Who is the tribe’s leader? Our tribe’s chief is Lynette Lewis Allston who is democratically elected by the Tribal Citizens. It is worthy to note that many of the principles of our current democratic system were based upon the principles of Iroquoian governance.

What’s the difference between Native American, First Nations, indigenous people and, American Indian and which do you prefer or is there another? I generally consider the terms interchangeable. My personal pref- erence is First Nations because it most accurately expresses the place that my people held prior to and at “First Contact.”

How are you keeping the history alive and well documented for future generations? All of our history and genealogy is certified through our Tribal Genealogist, Jackie Elliott, and Chief (Historian) Lynette L. Allston. We keep our history alive by sharing cultural and historical activities — beading, tie-dying, language, music workshops, etc. In addition, we hold a “Let’s Talk” series where tribal citizens and the community are invited to share pieces of history passed down through the generations.

Outlook at start of the day: Just thankful.

How I unwind: I love to garden — roses, flowering plants, vegetables, etc.

If I had more time, I would: Garden all day.

Three words that best describe me: I am told by my friends that I am honest, dependable and persistent.

A quote that inspires me: From my mother, “A bad start always makes for a good ending.” That was her way of encouraging us to persist in our dreams.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Sleep.

At the top of my “to do” list: Travel to each continent at least once.

Best late-night snack: Peanuts from Suffolk.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: My father used to encourage me to have faith in God and to have patience — with myself and others.

Persons who influenced me the most: My parents, Jack Wilson, now deceased, and Eunice W. Wilson.

What I’m reading now: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.

My next goal: To work with our foundation to obtain resources for the purpose of furthering the goals of the tribe.