On Native Ground

The On Native Ground initiative aims to make visible Indigenous histories across the Americas, as well as work with local tribes to establish a strong network for Native communities and scholarship at VCU. The initiative includes an annual guest lecture series spotlighting Indigenous scholars and writers, the development of a land acknowledgement at VCU, and the Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist in Residence program. The HRC also proudly supports the annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival.

Fall 2025 Events

Federico Cuatlacuatl 4x3

Transborder Nahua Futurisms

Date: Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025

Join us for an HRC Speaker Series Event with Federico Cuatlactuatl, Associate Professor in the Art Department at the University of Virginia.

Ethan Brown

Ethan Brown: Pamunkey Portrait Screening

Date: Monday, Oct 13, 2025

Former Karenne Wood artist in residence at the HRC Ethan Brown, Pamunkey Nation, VA, will premiere his new documentary, Pamunkey Portrait, in honor of Indigenous People's Day.

Rebecca Hill and Siera Hyte

Our Land, Our Art: Virginia Native Artists Reclaim Space

Date: Thursday, Oct 30, 2025

The speakers for this event are Rebecca Hill, Pamunkey Nation and Siera Hyte, Cherokee Nation.

The Worst Trickster Story Ever Told

Date: Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025

The speaker for this event is Keith Richotte, Professor of Law at the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona.

Chief Adkins 4x3

"On Native Ground:" Virginia Native Nations, Sovereignty, and Persistence

Date: Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025

Please join the Humanities Research Center and the VCU Office of the Provost for a discussion between Chief of the Chickahominy Nation Stephen R. Adkins, and interim Provost Beverly J. Warren.

Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival 2025 4x3

2025 Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival

Dates: Thursday, Nov 20, 2025 – Sunday, Nov 23, 2025

The 9th Annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival will take place November 20-23, 2025, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist Residency Program

Karenne Wood, Artist in Residence

In November of 2021, The Humanities Research Center launched the Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist Residency program. The program will allow an Indigenous writer or artist to spend time at VCU, connect with local tribes, give public talks and readings, and enrich VCU students’ learning experience.

Current Artist-in-Residence

Indigenous Elder in Residence Program

Pamunkey Museum

The HRC's new Indigenous Elder-in-Residence Program, launching in Spring 2026 as part of our "On Native Ground" initiative, will bring nationally-renowned Indigenous elders to campus each spring semester to foster cultural, academic, social, and spiritual support for our students and broader campus community. 

Learn more

Past Events