Chickahominy Indian Tribe Eastern Division
CIED Government
At the time of English settlement, the Chickahominy Indians were governed by a council of elders and religious leaders, known as “mungai” or “great men”. Today, CIED is governed by a Tribal council, which consists of a Chief, Assistant Chief, Secretary, Treasurer, and at least two Councilmen.
Office positions are held for four years without term limits. Elections are held the second Saturday of every 4th April.
Gerald A. Stewart
Chief, CEO, Maintenance Director
Chief Gerald “Jerry” Stewart has been an active citizen of The Chickahominy Indians Eastern Division his entire life. He has been Assistant Chief for a total of 26 years and became Acting Chief after the passing of Chief Gene Adkins in 2018. He was officially voted into the office of Chief in September of 2018. Jerry was there when the tribes were state recognized in 1983. He also witnessed the tribes being federally recognized in January of 2018. He has been married to his beautiful wife Sheila for 54 years. Together they raised three children and now have seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Jerry is a retired business owner. He is a college graduate of theology. And has been a bi-vocational preacher and has been the pastor of a few churches.
Penny Wynn
Tribal Administrator- Oversees all Programs & Staff, CFO, COO
Penny Wynn joined the CIT-ED team in April of 2021 after 25-1/2 years at C&F Bank. She is a member of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe and is happily married, with four adult children and eight grandchildren.
Penny’s responsibilities include but are not limited to, managing the day to day governmental operations, financial system, reporting, compliance, policies and procedures, program oversight and support, strategic planning and budgets, as well as assisting the CEO with all executive duties.
Her goal is to build upon and expand the CIT-ED Governmental culture where all are welcome, seen and heard, and treated with respect, dignity, and kindness.
Doris Austin
Deputy Tribal Administrator, Housing Director, IHS well & septic Director, Citizen Services, ICWA Director
Doris is the longest tenured employee of CIT-ED and has been employed since Federal Recognition was granted and the office officially opened. She lives in New Kent and is a lifelong member of CIT-ED. Doris has been on Tribal Council for over a decade. She has represented and attended many events, gatherings, and ceremonies on behalf of the Tribe.
Doris is married to Alan and has two children, Nakoma and Ronin. Her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing all housing needs, construction, rehabilitation, wells/septic, mortgage and rental assistance, ICWA – reviewing court cases, and handles the bulk of Citizen inquiries. Doris also supports all the roles of the Tribal Administrator and Chief. Doris held the office together during the transition in March and April of 2021, and is considered the backbone of CIT-ED.
Candace Dickerson
Project Director - Oversees Health Services, Elder Care, FEMA, Childcare, Grant Management and HR Manager
Candace is a proud CIT-ED Citizen and our Project Director. Candace is married with three children – Cameron, Kensleigh, and Weston. Having aided during the virtual learning processes of the shut-down she became deeply invested in the future of the Tribe. She serves as a member of Tribal Council and has coordinated and participated in several Tribal Events.
Candace led the creation of our childcare program Little Arrows. Her duties include but are not limited to research and development for grants and grant funding, supporting human resource initiatives, along with supporting accounting and administration for the Tribal Government.
Kayla Locklear
Asst. Project Director, Health Services Coordinator, FEMA Assistant
Kayla is an active member of the Chickahominy Tribe she held the titles of Miss Chickahominy and Junior Ms. Chickahominy. She has two amazing children Daniel and Hannah. As the great granddaughter of Chief Oliver Adkins she has been invested in Tribal affairs since her childhood.
Kayla came aboard CIT-ED to assist with childcare and quickly became instrumental to the overall operations of the Tribe. She is currently the Assistant Project Director, Health Services Coordinator, FEMA Assistant, and supports all programs and grant processes. Kayla has a degree in religious studies, and is furthering her education to assist with the success of the Tribe.
Morgan Martin
Project Assistant, Elder Care Coordinator, FEMA Director, Health Services Assistant
Morgan is an active member of the Chickahominy Tribe. Her mother is Gina Jones Martin, her grandparents are Alvin Jones and Eliouse Jones. She lives in Charles City with her partner Ricky and son Kayson. Before coming to CIT-ED she worked as Assistant Manager for Pilot Flying J in New Kent for 15 years. Morgan also came to assist with childcare, and quickly became instrumental to supporting all programs and services. She is our Project Assistant, Elder Care Coordinator, FEMA Director, and Health Services Assistant.
Tanya Stewart
Cultural Director,
Elder Care Assistant
Tanya (Adkins) Stewart is the daughter of P. Curtis and Dolly Adkins from the Chickahominy Tribe. Tanya is the Cultural Resources Director for CIT-ED and has been doing Traditional Native crafts for 30 years. She has done beading, leather, pottery and regalia making consistently for 20 years. Tanya’s crafts are in Japan, Ireland, Scotland, Canada and across the U.S. She taught beading in three different sessions of “Culture Class” that CIT held over the years.
She has assisted with Children’s Bible study for 17 years and been a Sunday School teacher at Samaria Baptist Church for 16 years. She has been going to schools and doing Native American presentations for 12 years. She is a member of the Eastern Woodland Revitalization group and the Tsenacommacah Algonquin Language Project. She loves her Tribe and her Native Culture and is so happy to be able to share, tell and teach others that we are still here.
Keenan Stewart
Cultural Resources Assistant
Keenan is a member of the Chickahominy Tribe and assists with the cultural and youth programs at CIT-ED. He is the son of Tanya and Jonathan Stewart and is pursing his passion for music while furthering his education. Keenan has a passion for all things cultural and is a strong contribution to the overall Cultural revitalization for the Tribes.
Jessica Phillips
Environmental Director,
Housing Support
Jessica is a citizen of CIT-ED and has 6 children. She has a Bachelor’s in Environmental Policy and Management. She loves the outdoors and all the things our Great Creator has given us to enjoy. Jessica is a strong believer that it is our responsibility to take care of these gifts. She practices herbalism, makes potions, and salves to aid in healing. She loves to read, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Cole Rountree
CIO, Maintenance Administrator, Project-Programs Support
Cole joined the team in October of 2021, after working for C&F Bank for 10 years. He brings a vast knowledge of systems as well as operations and can do a lot to keep us up to date and moving towards the future. Although he is not a part of the Chickahominy nation, he looks forward to meeting everyone and doing everything possible to help the tribe!
Nakoma Austin
Office Enrollment Assistant
Nakoma is a CIT-ED Citizen and is pursuing her degree in Aerospace Engineering at Old Dominion University. While in school Nakoma has tutored many of the CIT-ED youth, assisted with the childcare program, and now supports the Tribe as the Enrollment Assistant. Nakoma has also been instrumental in supporting the office staff by organizing computer files, updating financial spreadsheets for use, and assisting where needed.