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On June 23, 2015, Bryant died in her home at the age of 54, as a result of cancer. She had undergone cancer treatment and surgery, but was diagnosed with liver cancer less than one month before her death. Bryant had planned to run for a second term as Chief in the June 2015 tribal elections, but was
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to seek federal recognition for the
Monacan Indian Nation. The tribe has already been recognized by the state of Virginia. She sought to make the tribe financially sustainable. Bryant oversaw the creation of several smaller, local programs as well, including Christmas gifting exchange. She partnered
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to the
Monacans. The legacy of Plecker's racist policies fueled both a revival of the Monacan culture and Bryant's entry into politics years later. Bryant served on the tribe's economic development committee prior to her election as chief.
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and other records of the
Monacans and other Native Americans, listing their identity as "colored," thus denying members' Native American heritage. Years later, because of the "colored" birth records, the
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Bryant was born on June 22, 1961. Her
Monacan tribal name was "Bear Woman." Her grandfather, Harry Loving Branham, had also served as the Monacan chief during the 1960s.
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from 2011 until her death in 2015. She was the first woman to hold the position of Chief of the
Monacan Indian Nation, a
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and pursued higher education. In a 2015 interview, Bryant said she dreamed of one day becoming
Monacan chief. An
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Bryant's entry into tribal, state and federal politics was motivated by a history of discrimination against the
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99:(June 22, 1961 – June 23, 2015) was an American tribal politician who served as the Chief of the
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with
Natural Bridge Park, site of the tribe's annual festival, the Monacan Nation Powwow.
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393:"First woman chief of Monacan tribe has one mission: the betterment of her people"
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316:"Sharon Bryant, first woman chief of Monacan tribe, dies of cancer"
279:"Sharon Bryant, first woman chief of Monacan tribe, dies of cancer"
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Elections were held in later in June 2015 to choose her successor.
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As Chief, Bryant worked with
Virginia's federal congressmen and
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forced to drop out of the race due to her cancer diagnosis.
355:"Community rallies around Monacan Chief Sharon Bryant"
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161:for the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dr.
487:"Monacan Indian Nation elects 1st female chief"
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134:at the age of 16, but later obtained her
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107:based in the Bear Mountain region of
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547:People from Amherst County, Virginia
572:21st-century American Episcopalians
567:20th-century American Episcopalians
460:"Monacans Elect First Female Chief"
597:21st-century Native American women
592:20th-century Native American women
428:"A Woman Who Lived for Her People"
149:Chief of the Monacan Indian Nation
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582:20th-century Virginia politicians
562:21st-century Virginia politicians
537:Native American women in politics
440:from the original on 2022-06-12
126:She was a lifetime resident of
552:Deaths from cancer in Virginia
485:Marshall, Scott (2011-06-22).
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527:Women Native American leaders
47:2011 – June 23, 2015
458:Mills, Jeremy (2011-06-20).
391:Gore, Sherese (2015-03-16).
353:Gore, Sherese (2015-06-03).
277:Gore, Sherese (2015-06-24).
247:Gore, Sherese (2015-06-23).
167:Racial Integrity Act of 1924
249:"Monacan Indian chief dies"
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542:Women in Virginia politics
132:Amherst County High School
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491:Amherst New Era-Progress
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130:. Bryant dropped out of
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109:Amherst County, Virginia
284:Richmond Times-Dispatch
179:U.S. federal government
433:The News & Advance
321:The News & Advance
105:state-recognized tribe
101:Monacan Indian Nation
97:Sharon Rebecca Bryant
35:Monacan Indian Nation
172:Plecker altered the
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16:American politician
181:declined to grant
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324:. 2015-06-25
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143:lay minister
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84:(2015-06-23)
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522:2015 deaths
517:1961 births
53:Preceded by
511:Categories
496:2015-07-04
471:2015-07-04
444:2015-07-05
402:2015-07-04
364:2015-07-04
328:2015-07-04
290:2015-07-04
260:2015-07-04
221:References
189:In 2011,
159:registrar
140:Episcopal
119:Biography
43:In office
438:Archived
465:WSET-TV
209:Death
79:Died
71:Born
136:GED
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