In the annals of the Powhatan Renape Nation, a recent chapter has unfolded, marked by confusion, concern, and a challenge to established leadership. At the heart of this narrative is a figure who identifies himself as Crown Prince Emperor El Bey Bigbay, a name that has resonated with both intrigue and apprehension within the tribal community. This individual, known outside of his self-proclaimed title as William McRea, a 40-year-old Trenton native, has asserted his position as the rightful heir to the Powhatan Empire, a claim that has been met with strong opposition from within the Powhatan Renape Nation itself.
The Powhatan Renape Nation, a tribe recognized by the New Jersey Commission on Native American Affairs, has a history rooted in the lands of South Jersey. Once hosting vibrant annual arts festivals that drew thousands to what was formerly known as the Rankokus Indian Reservation, the tribe has faced considerable hardship in recent years. Financial mismanagement and organizational challenges led to the loss of their 237-acre leased parcel from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), leaving the reservation largely deserted.
The landscape surrounding the former reservation reflects this decline. A wide, metal gate stands as a barrier to the once-accessible land. The tribe’s museum, a repository of their cultural heritage, sits empty, its artifacts relegated to storage. Deeper within the wooded area, the remnants of the late Chief Roy Crazy Horse’s rancher, built without proper authorization on a bluff overlooking Rancocas Creek, bear witness to the passage of time and the tribe’s struggles. Birds now flit through broken windows, and the chimney stands as a silent sentinel. Even a local woman, walking her dogs on the leased land in Westampton Township, Burlington County, observes that the Powhatan are gone and their belongings removed.
Against this backdrop of loss and uncertainty, the emergence of Crown Prince Emperor El Bey Bigbay has further complicated matters. He has declared, "I am the heir to the Powhatan Empire. I don’t deal with the council. The council is null and void." This statement, delivered with unwavering conviction, has been met with skepticism and outright rejection by members of the Powhatan Renape Nation.
Obie Batchelor, a Powhatan Renape member residing in Pennsauken, Camden County, articulated the sentiments of many when he stated, "We don’t know where he came from. We don’t know anything about him. He just popped up out of the woodwork. You can’t just pop up and claim yourself chief." Batchelor’s words encapsulate the bewilderment and frustration felt by those who have dedicated their lives to the tribe and its traditions.
However, dismissing McRea as simply an eccentric individual would be a mistake. He has demonstrably taken steps to assert his authority, including gaining control of the Powhatan Renape Nation’s phone number. Moreover, he has been seen accepting artifacts on behalf of the tribe, posing for photographs with elderly women while adorned in a large headdress that bears no resemblance to traditional Powhatan attire. This appropriation of cultural symbols has been particularly troubling to members of the Powhatan Renape Nation.
Further adding to the controversy, McRea has reportedly engaged with public figures, even urging hip-hop artist Kanye West via Twitter to join the tribe. According to Batchelor, McRea had to be removed from the tribe’s website after claiming control of the phone number and paying the bill.
McRea’s ambitions extend to reclaiming the land lost by the tribe. He made an inquiry to the New Jersey DEP regarding the possibility of regaining access to the former reservation. The DEP, in a formal letter addressed to "Chief Crown Prince Emperor El Bey Bagby (Holmes) Pamunkey," politely declined the request. Undeterred, McRea has vowed to continue his efforts to reclaim the land, stating, "I am getting back on that land, whether it’s professionally or whether we have to go out there and do it ourselves."
In his defense, McRea claims that one of his primary goals is to "clean up" the Powhatan name, which he believes has been tarnished. He has also attempted to raise $150,000 through the website giveforward.com, although no donations have been received. McRea asserts that his lineage can be traced back to Chief Powhatan himself, in eastern Virginia, and that he answers to individuals in King William County, Virginia, as well as the United Nations and an empress in Switzerland. "I’m not an actor and I’m not a comedian," he insists. "I’m a real person in the flesh."
However, Joanne Hawkins, the Powhatan Renape representative on the New Jersey Commission on American Indian Affairs, firmly rejects McRea’s claims. "He isn’t legitimate," she declared. "He has nothing to do with Powhatan Renape Nation." Doreen Adele "Autumn Wind" Scott, the commission’s chairwoman and a member of North Jersey’s Ramapough Lenape Nation, has stated that she is aware of McRea’s claims and intends to investigate them.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, McRea’s past has come under scrutiny. News reports indicate that he has faced charges related to using fake diplomatic tags, driving without a license, and failure to pay child support. He has also reportedly claimed that U.S. laws do not apply to him because he is a member of the Abannaki Aboriginal Nation, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled as a "fringe black separatist group."
The internal dynamics of the Powhatan Renape Nation have also been called into question. Some members, posting on Native American website forums, have expressed concerns about the council’s perceived inaction in addressing McRea’s claims. Wendy Logan, a Powhatan formerly from South Jersey, wrote in an email from Arizona, "Our tribal leadership lacks a spiritual foundation, so we’re unable to thrive as an organized Nation and it appears non-members are taking advantage of our time of weakness."
The situation surrounding Crown Prince Emperor El Bey Bigbay highlights the vulnerabilities faced by indigenous nations, particularly those grappling with internal challenges and external pressures. The Powhatan Renape Nation’s struggle to maintain its identity and sovereignty in the face of these challenges serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing need for support, understanding, and respect for Native American communities.
The unfolding saga involving the self-proclaimed chief and the Powhatan Renape Nation raises fundamental questions about legitimacy, authority, and the preservation of cultural heritage in the modern era. As the situation continues to evolve, the Powhatan Renape Nation faces the difficult task of navigating these complex issues while striving to revitalize its community and reclaim its rightful place in the cultural landscape of New Jersey. The question remains, can the Powhatan Renape Nation overcome the challenges posed by this self-proclaimed leader and regain its footing?