Six Virginia Native American tribes are now being recognized on the federal level. President Trump signed the federal recognition bill into law on Monday.

The six tribes include the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Nansemond, Upper Mattaponi and Amherst County based Monacan.

Tuesday night some members of the Monacan tribe gathered for a regular meeting, but nothing about the meeting was normal. They were celebrating news that they have been fighting a long time to hear.

About six tribe members sat around a drum in the center of the Monacan Museum. They played an honor song. The song was honoring what has been a very long road.

For the past 18 years the tribe has been working to gain federal recognition. Monday their goal was realized with help from U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia, who introduced the bill, and lobbying from Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.

Artifacts in a museum serve as a reminder of an uphill battle to celebrate their culture. Now, they are added to a list of 573 tribes in America that can have access to federal funds for education, housing and health care.

“There are Indians in Virginia,” said Dean Branham, tribal chief. “They've always been here and we want it known.”

Branch Branham has watched friends die waiting to see this happen.

“I said I hope that I can live long enough to see this federal recognition and praise god it happened his year,” said Branch Branham.

As the tribe members beat the drum, they are taught to reflect on the past, remember their ancestors, and use that to fuel the future.

“The ones that stayed here and fought to prove who they were and I just wish they were here now to witness it,” said Dean Branham.