ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996 TAG: 9611290047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: HOLIDAY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
School children gasped as two young warriors hoisted a lifeless deer hanging from a pole.
Gov. George Allen beat a drum, doing his darnedest to keep pace with a traditional song of friendship.
A wise, old chief bore gifts with the exclamation, "Hot dog, boy!"
Historic traditions blended with modern folkways Wednesday at the annual Indian Tribute, a ceremony that reaches back 350 years in Virginia history.
The ceremony harkens to a 1646 treaty between conquering Europeans and various native tribes. Virginia's colonial government offered Indians protection in exchange for 20 beaver pelts a year.
In modern times, the tribute has evolved in a pre-Thanksgiving ceremony in which members of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes present the governor with a freshly slain deer.
The Indians pulled out all the stops this year to mark the 350th anniversary. They brought two deer, pottery, gifts and - in a grand gesture - 20 beaver skins.
"We are bringing back the memories of that today," said Webster "Little Eagle" Custalow, chief of the Mattaponi. "This is the first time this tribute has been given to a governor in many years."
Custalow, 86, said he hoped the skins would be displayed in "the new building" - a reference to the new, $43 million Library of Virginia.
The tribute was accepted on the steps of the Executive Mansion by Allen and his wife, Susan.
A collective gasp escaped from about 100 schoolchildren as the two deer, hoofs tethered to poles, were lifted from the ground, their lifeless necks swinging in the air.
The governor - who adorns his capitol office with animal pelts - bounded down the mansion stairs for a closer look at the buck and a smaller doe. At one point, Allen grasped the antlers of the buck, turning the animal's face toward photographers.
Allen smiled. The deer's expression remained unchanged.
The Allens donated the deer to Hunters for the Hungry, a group that provides venison to the needy.
The Mattaponi and Pamunkey chiefs also presented the Allens with pottery, beads and other gifts. Custalow, a diminutive 86-year-old, appeared delighted as the governor tried on a bolo tie with Indian beads.
"Hot dog, boy!" Custalow cried.
The gift-giving was followed by dancing. Gov. Allen helped provide the beat as his daughter, Tyler, and her third-grade classmates from Short Pump Elementary danced in a circle.
"We'll have to send him to drum school," quipped one Indian man who was leading the children in the dance.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP Gov. George Allen shows his daughter, Tyler, andby CNBwife, Susan, a string of beaver pelts being held up by Pamunkey
Chief Bill "Swiftwater" Miles.