For this project, I chose to make StoryMapsJs about the Pamunkey Indian tribe, more specifically about the Pamunkey River. I wanted to tell the story of the Pamunkey River because it holds a lot of significance and recognition in the Pamunkey culture. It was interesting to learn about the culture of the Pamunkey Indian tribe through a geographical formation featuring water. In addition to that, I also wanted to deliver a message of how the Pamunkey River has changed a lot, and not to the positive side. Since the colonists arrived, much of the Chesapeake Bay watershed has changed. The clay from the Pamunkey River was used to make pottery. The changes that were due to storms and rising water levels have eroded the river’s banks, and finding prime clay locations become difficult nowadays. Atlantic sturgeon and shad are two more local resources that are in danger. For the Pamunkey people, both fish were crucial sources of sustenance and income. So yeah, that’s the reason why I chose to tell this story, and using StoryMapsJs was something new for me but I had fun learning how to use it!
Here’s my StoryMapsJs:
Sora– I really enjoyed browsing your story map and learning more about the Pamunkey community and the centrality of this river to their culture! A story map works well with any narrative that is grounded in geography, and this medium allows us to better engage with the significance of these spaces especially for Native people. It was especially interesting to learn about the change over time, and how colonialism disrupted Pamunkey people and the ecology of the river. As you describe in your story map, however, there is an important narrative about persistence and survival despite the violence and harm of colonialism.
I’m really glad you enjoyed using the Story Map JS tool for this assignment! It’s a great beginner tool for digital mapping and a unique way for visualizing narratives! This would be a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about the Pamunkey community and the importance of the river.