In John Smith’s 1612 map of Virginia, at the point where the Rivanna River meets the James, he marked Rassawek, the capital of the Monacan Indians. Jump forward 400 years and the site is on another map, this one targeting it as a pump station to quench Zion Crossroads’ thirst.

The site of Rassawek, important to the Monacan Nation, is proposed to be destroyed by a pump station built by the James River Water Authority for Fluvanna and Louisa counties.

When will we ever learn? The Charlottesville area has just spent the past few months, the past few years, addressing our long history of racism, destruction of communities, and eradication of the cultures of entire populations in the name of progress, capitalism, and increasing the wealth of a few.

Thank you, Daily Progress, for the recent articles and editorials covering the pumping station controversy at Rassawek/Point of Fork. For those unfamiliar with the topic,

Members of the Monacan Indian Nation and their supporters appeared before the James River Water Authority on Tuesday (Aug 13) to protest a planned water pumping station atop what they believe to be the site of the historic settlement of Rassawek.

Representatives of the Monacan Nation took their case against the James River Water Project directly to their opponents on Tuesday, demanding that the pipeline be moved from the former site of the tribe’s capital city.

Dozens of people turned out Tuesday morning in Louisa County to protest proposed construction along the James River. Controversy surrounds the construction as protesters say the proposed site infringes on a historic Native American tribal site.

The James River Water Authority is under fire for choosing a historically significant Native American site — as its former capitol, the most significant to the Monacan nation — as the location for a new water pumping station.