Principal Chief Keith F. Anderson

Principal Chief Keith F. Anderson serves as the chief and executive officer of the Nansemond Indian Nation, one of Virginia’s seven federally recognized tribes. The tribal service area includes Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk and Isle of Wight in Virginia. Prior to becoming chief, he served as the environmental program coordinator for the Nansemond Indian Nation, deepening both his experience and connections with local, state and federal officials and building on his lifelong interest in environmental justice. Chief Anderson has 35 years of experience in cultural preservation and has served as a career parks and recreation professional for the City of Virginia Beach, located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. He serves on the board of trustees of the Fort Monroe Authority.

Chief Anderson has committed his life to honoring the enduring traditions of American Indians across the globe and is a community leader who is “forged by tradition and thrives in the modern world.” He is an accomplished cultural presenter and the executive director of Red Crook-ed Sky American Indian Dance Troupe (RCS). With a core group of family members and friends, Chief Anderson co-founded RCS in 2006. Under his guidance and management, the organization has been featured at nearly 200 venues across the United States and Canada. Highlights include the John F. Kennedy Center, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Strengthening their reputation as dynamic presenters, Chief Anderson and the troupe have been featured in a variety of publications, artworks, documentaries and film projects.

Chief Anderson holds a B.A. in Health Administration and Sports Sciences from the University of Richmond and is currently pursuing a certification in nonprofit management from Tidewater Community College. Chief Anderson currently lives in Portsmouth, Va., with his two devoted sons — Kameron and Kalen.