Civil Cases and Protection
Bear Spirit Mountain founder Maasaw has been called on many occasions to identify 18th century Native American & African American grave sites due to the fact that there are very few people that know what to look for.
Maasaw has written reports, and addressed different government agencies or private individuals on behalf of private groups or individuals that are fighting to preserve their Ancestors’ grave sites.
Thoroughfare, Virginia 2023-present
Maasaw was commissioned by the “Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare” to determine if there are graves at (4) different cemetery locations that were reported to have African American & Native American graves dating to the 18th century. Case is still ongoing.
Cacapon/Potomac River Shawnee Village Site 2024-2025
At the confluence of the Cacapon River and Pot, a developer was trying to build a KOA Campground site that would destroy an Shawnee village sit that had been previously archaeologically studied in 1997 and proven to be a Indigenous village. Maasaw wrote reports and letters and addressed the Morgan County Commissioners regarding their approval of permits on land that had already been proven to be an Indigenous occupation site. Through several years of lobbying and gaining public support, the developer eventually withdrew his proposal, and the village site is still preserved at this time.
Water Street African American/Native American Cemetery 2025
Bear Spirit Mountain researcher Rose Carter brought to the team’s attention an 18th century cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia that was the first Native American & African American cemetery in this city’s history. Research done by team researcher Michael Giovanelli, Rose & Maasaw provided details of this cemetery being moved in 1872. A meeting was held with the Mayor of Martinsburg to request a historical wayside sign be placed at the original cemetery location to honor the Native American & African Americans that were buried there in the mid 1700’s.
Cool Spring Presbyterian Church Graveyards 2022-2026
In 2023, Maasaw investigated the Cool Spring Presbyterian Church built in 1761 and located the previously unknown grave yard locations. He provided this information to the local government agency that now owns this property. It is thought there were two sections to this graveyard. To the south, the whites were potentially buried. In a separate section to the north of the church building, it is thought the minorities were buried. With this information, the government agency has done a test using ground penetrating radar which confirmed the graveyards existence. Future testing is now planned and a goal of having this graveyard placed under a historical protected site is probable.
