Opechancanough, also spelled Opchanacanough, (circa 1543 – 1644) stands as a significant figure in the history of the Powhatan Confederacy. He was a tribal chief presiding over a territory that encompasses present-day Virginia. Rising to leadership in 1618, he remained a pivotal figure until his death in 1644. His name, steeped in cultural significance, is believed to translate to "He whose Soul is White" in the Algonquin language. The narrative surrounding Opechancanough is interwoven with the early interactions between Native Americans and European colonizers, a period marked by exploration, cultural exchange, and ultimately, conflict.
The story of Opechancanough begins in 1560, with a pivotal encounter during a Spanish exploration expedition. A 17-year-old Algonquian youth, son of a chief from the village of Chiskiack, located on the Virginia Peninsula within the lands that now constitute part of the U.S. Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, made a momentous decision. He agreed to accompany the Spanish, driven by a desire to understand their culture and way of life.
The Spanish bestowed upon him the name Paquiquino, meaning "little Francis." This marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the young Native American. He was taken to Mexico, where he received instruction in the Catholic faith. This immersion in a new religion culminated in his baptism, where he was christened "Don Luis" in honor of Luis de Velasco, the Viceroy of New Spain, who served as his sponsor.
Don Luis’s journey extended beyond Mexico. He was transported to Madrid, Spain, where he was granted an audience with the Emperor himself. This encounter with European royalty underscored the significance of his conversion and integration into Spanish society. Further solidifying his assimilation, Don Luis received a thorough Jesuit education, providing him with intellectual tools and a worldview shaped by European thought.
The narrative takes a significant turn when Don Luis returned to the New World. In 1570, Father Juan Bautista de Segura, the Jesuit vice provincial of Havana, conceived a plan to establish a mission in Ajacan, the territory now known as Virginia. What made this endeavor unique was the intention to proceed without a military garrison, a departure from the typical colonial approach.
Father Segura’s rationale stemmed from the understanding that the conduct of colonial soldiers often hindered the conversion of Native Americans to Christianity. The soldiers, often idle and lacking the discipline of active combat, frequently engaged in behaviors such as drunkenness, thievery, bullying, and sexual misconduct. These actions created a negative perception of the colonizers and undermined the efforts of the missionaries.
Despite concerns regarding the feasibility of the plan, Father Segura eventually secured permission from his superiors to establish the Ajacan Mission, named "St. Mary’s Mission." In August 1570, Father Segura, Father Luis de Quiros, a former head of the Jesuit college among the Moors in Spain, and six Jesuit brothers embarked on their mission from Havana.
Accompanying the priests was a young Spanish boy named Alonso Olmos, affectionately called Aloncito, who served Mass. Crucially, Don Luis joined the expedition as their guide and translator, his knowledge of the land and language deemed essential for the mission’s success. On September 10, the party of ten landed in the region now known as the Virginia Peninsula, marking the beginning of a fraught chapter.
Don Luis promptly set out to locate his native village of Kiskiack, a place he had not seen for a decade. Upon arrival, a small wooden hut was constructed, featuring an adjoining room intended for celebrating Mass. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly after the ship that brought them departed. Don Luis abandoned the Jesuits, ostensibly to seek his uncle and procure supplies.
The small band of Jesuits soon realized they had been deserted. Compounding their misfortune, the mid-Atlantic region was experiencing a prolonged period of famine. Their food supplies dwindled, forcing them to rely on the Native Americans for sustenance. They managed to trade with some natives for food, but supplies grew increasingly scarce as winter approached.
Around February of 1571, Don Luis returned, but not as a benefactor. He arrived with other natives and stole all the Jesuits’ clothing and supplies. The situation escalated tragically as the natives killed both priests and all six brothers, sparing only the young servant boy, perhaps due to his non-Jesuit status.
The question of whether Don Luis and Don Luis a.k.a. Opechancanough are the same person remains a subject of historical speculation. Some historians theorize that the Native American youth who underwent a profound transformation in Europe was indeed the same individual who later rose to prominence as Opechancanough, a leader known for his resistance against European colonization.
By the time the English established the Jamestown settlement in May 1607, Opechancanough was a formidable warrior and a charismatic leader of the Powhatan Confederacy. As Chief Powhatan’s younger brother (or possibly half-brother), he led a tribe located along the Pamunkey River, near the present-day Town of West Point.
Opechancanough’s opposition to the European settlers was well-known. He captured John Smith of Jamestown along the Chickahominy River and brought him before Chief Powhatan at Werowocomoco, one of the two capital villages of the Powhatans. Werowocomoco, situated along the northern shore of the present-day York River, is believed to be the site of the famous incident involving Powhatan’s daughter, Pocahontas, who, according to Smith’s account, intervened to save his life during a ceremony.
Opechancanough’s interactions with the English settlers shifted from diplomacy to open conflict, beginning with the Indian massacre of 1622. He abandoned attempts at peaceful coexistence and sought to force the English to abandon the Virginia Colony.
On Good Friday, March 22, 1622, a coordinated series of attacks resulted in the deaths of approximately one-third of the settlers. The attacks spanned both shores of the James River, stretching from Newport News Point near the mouth all the way west to Falling Creek. However, the colony recovered, and retaliatory actions led to the deaths of hundreds of Native Americans, many poisoned by Dr. John Potts at Jamestown.
Don Luis a.k.a. Opechancanough launched one final major offensive against the colonists on April 18, 1644. However, forces under Royal Governor William Berkeley captured Opechancanough, who was believed to be between 90 and 100 years old at the time. While a prisoner, Opechancanough was killed by a soldier assigned to guard him, shot in the back. His death marked the end of an era of resistance against European encroachment.
The legacy of Don Luis a.k.a. Opechancanough continues to resonate in popular culture. In 2005, actor Wes Studi portrayed a character inspired by the Powhatan warrior in Terrence Malick’s film The New World. The film, nominated for an Academy Award, depicts the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia settlement and includes characters inspired by historical figures such as Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. Much of the film was shot in James City County and Charles City County, near the site of the first permanent English colony in the New World, established at Jamestown on May 14, 1607.
The story of Don Luis a.k.a. Opechancanough is a complex tapestry of cultural exchange, religious conversion, and ultimately, resistance. It offers a glimpse into the early interactions between Native Americans and European colonizers, a period that shaped the course of American history. His life, whether as the young Algonquian who embraced Spanish culture or the Powhatan leader who fiercely defended his people’s land, remains a subject of historical inquiry and fascination.