Sharon Bryant

Sharon Rebecca Bryant (June 22, 1961 – June 23, 2015) was an American tribal politician who served as the Chief of the Monacan Indian Nation from 2011 until her death in 2015. She was the first woman to hold the position of Chief of the Monacan Indian Nation, a state-recognized tribe based in the Bear Mountain region of Amherst County, Virginia. Bryant, who was elected chief in 2011, led the ongoing efforts to win federal recognition for the Monacans. Her Monacan tribal name was "Bear Woman."

She was a lifetime resident of Amherst County, Virginia. The first registrar for the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dr. Walter Plecker, who held the position from 1912 to 1946, refused to acknowledge that the Monacans, or any of the other Virginian Native American tribes, were distinct, "real" people and ethnic groups. She defeated Joe Dorey of Rockbridge County in the election.

As Chief, Bryant worked with Virginia's federal congressmen and U.S. Senators to seek federal recognition for the Monacan Indian Nation. The tribe has already been recognized by the state of Virginia. She sought to make the tribe financially sustainable. Bryant oversaw the creation of several smaller, local programs as well, including Christmas gifting exchange. She partnered with Natural Bridge Park, site of the tribe's annual festival, the Monacan Nation Powwow.

Death On June 23, 2015, Bryant died in her home at the age of 54, as a result of cancer. She had undergone cancer treatment and surgery, but was diagnosed with liver cancer less than one month before her death. Bryant had planned to run for a second term as Chief in the June 2015 tribal elections, but was forced to drop out of the race due to her cancer diagnosis.

Elections were held in later in June 2015 to choose her successor.