A new state fund could give the Patawomeck Tribe a chance to reacquire tribal land and help protect battlefield sites throughout the state where Black soldiers fought and died.

According to WFXR, the goal of the tribe is to obtain land in Crow’s Nest, located in Stafford County.

Del. Delores L. McQuinn, (D-Richmond), introduced House Bill 141, which lawmakers passed unanimously. Money from the fund will go to eligible state and federally recognized tribes, nonprofits and localities. The fund will be made up of state money, gifts and donations.

Former Gov. Ralph Northam proposed $10 million over two years in his outgoing budget to bolster the conservation fund. The final state budget has not been finalized.

The historic preservation fund will protect cultural and historic lands. Such lands range from hunting grounds to sacred sites and villages around the Chesapeake Bay. The bill also helps groups preserve schools, churches and archeological sites. The grants from this fund will be managed by the Board of Historic Resources, according to the bill.

In addition to helping the tribe to obtain land, the fund can also be used to preserve areas where Black soldiers fought in several wars. According to the American Battlefield Trust, these sites are not protected.

As of now, there is no grant at the state legislature dedicated to preserving culturally historic sites for communities of color. McQuinn stated that currently, the General Assembly has previously created similar funds for the preservation of farmlands and outdoor areas, including the Virginia Land Conservation Fund, Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation Preservation Trust Fund.

HB 141 will be a great benefit for sites that do not meet the current qualifications for existing grant programs. The Patawomeck Tribe will be building a tribal center and museum at Little Falls, and is scheduled to open in mid to late July.