‘In the Spirit of Wingina 2’ event unites voices

By Danielle Puleo

Shared with permission from The Coastland Times

The Secotan Alliance (TSA) hosted its powerful gathering, “In the Spirit of Wingina 2: Our Women, Our Words, Our Water,” on May 30–31, drawing hundreds to Dare County for a moving series of lectures, panels, performances and cultural exchanges. Centered on the historical legacy of Chief Wingina and the original Secotan Alliance, the event placed special focus on the often-overlooked role of Indigenous women and the sacred relationship with land and water.

The event began Friday at the Virginia S. Tillett Center in Manteo, where a crowd of 135 attendees listened to powerful academic lectures from esteemed scholars including Dr. Karen Ordahl Kupperman, Dr. Gabrielle Tayac (Piscataway) and Dr. Crystal Cavalier (Occaneechi). Their talks explored Indigenous leadership, colonial contact and the enduring strength of Algonquin-rooted communities.

That evening, the energy shifted from academia to the arts as more than 200 guests filled the Ocean View Room at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Set against the sound of crashing waves, the night featured poetry, jazz and Indigenous music. Highlights included the smooth sounds of the Benjie Porecki Trio, evocative hand drum and flute performances by Warren Perkinson of Yapatoko, and the powerful voice of Coquetta Brooks, as she read a piece from “Pampico Blue,” written by Gray Parsons, president and founder of the Secotan Alliance. Desserts and fellowship rounded out the night, reinforcing the gathering’s community-centered spirit.

“It was a resounding success,” shared TSA board member Sandra Doherty Healy. “There was standing room only at the jazz event.” She shared with The Coastland Times why this conference is much more than “traditional.” “What’s really wonderful about this conference is that it really is a multi-disciplinary conference, where it’s not your traditional conference solely consisting of academics. It brings together academics, historians, filmmakers, environmental advocates and the general public in, what I think, is a much-needed conversation ­– because history matters.”

Saturday’s events at the College of The Albemarle – Dare Campus brought another 110 attendees to the heart of Indigenous environmental wisdom with a daylong symposium themed “The Traditional Indigenous Earth Ethic.” From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., speakers including Dr. Helen C. Rountree, Dr. Arwin Smallwood (Tuscarora), David Rahahe-tih Webb (Tuscarora), Sandra Hope (Haliwa-Saponi) and Lisa Rider shared reflections on cultural resilience, environmental justice and the sacred responsibility to protect Mother Earth.

The event also featured a more intimate speaker’s reception at the Outer Banks History Center, attended by 30 guests, where community members and presenters gathered to reflect and share stories.

“The event was successful in that the speakers were delivering the right messages,” shared Parsons. “They synergized well, and did a really good job at giving us ancient history, recent history and bringing that to today, in the world we live in and some of the issues that indigenous people are facing.”

“As someone who has the honor of serving on the Alliance board, and as Chairman of the Friends of the Outer Banks History Center, I found the event profoundly moving,” shared Adonis A. Osekre. “The gathering was not just intellectually rich, but emotionally resonant, weaving together scholarship, storytelling, and a powerful sense of place … It was a conversation, one I hope continues to grow.”

The weekend’s theme and name pay tribute to Chief Wingina (also known as Pemisapan), a visionary leader of the 16th-century Secotan Alliance who attempted to unite Algonquin-speaking tribes to resist English colonization. Wingina’s assassination in 1586 by English forces marked a tragic turning point in Native history—yet his story, as highlighted throughout the weekend, continues to inspire a new generation of Indigenous voices and allies committed to justice, sustainability and truth-telling.

“Our mission is to teach the real, factual truth of Chief Wingina’s life, primarily during 18-month period from 1584 to when he was murdered on June 1, 1586,” said Parsons, “Our second mission to teach traditional indigenous earth ethics: What are the unique characteristics that allow indigenous people to live sustainably with Mother Earth?”

The event was free to the public and made possible through sponsorships from the Outer Banks Community Foundation, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Dare Arts, North Carolina Coastal Federation, Friends of the Outer Banks History Center, Island Bookstores, Outer Banks Pest Control and the Pea Island Preservation Society. In-kind support also came from The Fresh Market, Waveriders, Front Porch Café, Johanna’s Catering and Crumbl Cookies.

“I think Gray has done incredible job in terms of educating people about this history,” commented Joan Collins, TSA board member and director of the Pea Island Preservation Society, Inc. (PIPSI) The partnership between TSA and PIPSI has been a strong one, Collins shared, due to the parallels in history which both organizations strive to educate about. “I’m happy to unite with anyone in that regard. If we’re not telling accurate, truthful history, we’ve failed.”

As far as what the future holds, Parsons shared: “The performing arts aspect is where we’re headed in terms of expanding our footprint, in terms of telling the story in a way that more people will want to hear it.”

For the Secotan Alliance, the weekend held much more than a commemorative event, it was a spiritual, intellectual and emotional reckoning. With a resounding call for recognition and restoration, the Alliance continues to carry forward the mission to honor Wingina’s sacrifice and uplift the Earth-honoring principles of his people.

To learn more about TSA, go to secotanalliance.org.