Nokomis White Feather Custalow

Having grown up on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation, Nokomis has been active in sharing all aspects of the Eastern Woodland lifestyle as an educator, advocate and cultural ambassador. She works with the Upper Mattaponi Tribal Garden where she combines Indigenous growing practices, environmental stewardship, and fresh food access through the tribe's Food Sovereignity program. Previously, Nokomis' work with Colonial Williamsburg was as an Eastern Woodlan Interpreter. There she engaged guests from a 1700's historical perspective. She covered topics of daily life as an Indigenous woman, the 1677 Middle Plantation Treaty, reservation systems and the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. Also, foodways, clothing and trade were regular topics of conversation with guests, but most importantly were the social and economic conditions that shaped who Virginia Indigenous tribal citizens are today.