THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408270099
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
CHIEF EARL L. ``Running Deer'' Bass fits the popular image of a native American. A tall, lean, well-tanned man with iron gray hair and a strong profile, Bass stands erect in his buckskins and full-feathered headdress.
Pride surrounds the 85-year-old chief like an aura and echoes through everything he has to say. He is proud of being a Nansemond, and proud of being a Christian.
``When I came up as a little boy, my mama raised me right. She would lay the limb on you. I have been proud all my life.''
Born Aug. 27, 1909 - he turned 85 Saturday - Bass was the 10th of 16 children born to Carrie and Jesse Bass. She was an Englishwoman, he was chief of the Nansemond tribe. Earl Bass was raised just 50 yards from the home he lives in today, on Bass Lane in Chesapeake's Deep Creek section.
Bass never had time to go to school. His days were devoted to the family farm and his evenings to romping with his brothers. Sundays meant church services and Bible study at the Indiana Methodist Church, which he still attends.
``I spend more time in school now talking to young people than I did when I was coming up,'' Bass said. He talks to them about his tribe and the history and culture of native Americans in Virginia. Although Bass never learned to read a book, he read the woods well enough to become an expert hunter and guide. His name, ``Running Deer,'' came from his ability to move as silently and as swiftly as a deer.
In 1927, Bass married Lucille Bass, and they had seven children. For 30 years he worked as a machinist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth while he still maintained a farm and often hunted for the family's supper.
His father died in April 1960, and Bass was chosen from among Jesse Bass' 10 sons to become chief. Nine years ago, when the tribe received official recognition from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the position became an elected post with a four-year term. Bass has been re-elected ever since.
``He has been a great chief,'' says Sandra ``Shining Star'' Bass Garner, his daughter, ``for his love for his people gives him the wisdom needed to lead and help them.''
- Phyllis Speidell MEMO: Main story on page 14.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Chief Earl ``Running Deer'' Bass chats with former Gov. Mills E.
Godwin at the Nansemond powwow in Chuckatuck. Bass has led the tribe
since his father died in 1960.
KEYWORDS: NANSEMOND INDIANS by CNB