At the time of Columbus, as many as 10 million Native Americans lived in North America. A succession of Algonquian peoples ultimately coalesced into the Piscataway Nation of the Chesapeake & Tidewater regions of Maryland. The Piscataway were the first Native Americans to encounter Captain John Smith along the banks of the Potomac River in 1608. Today, Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers carry on the long standing traditions, culture, and heritage of their indigenous ancestors. Traveling from Tayac Territory, (Port Tobacco, MD), the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers present a colorful, educational, and entertaining pow wow-style campus event featuring American Indian Dance, Drum, and Song. In addition to their many college appearances, the Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers are frequent contributors on the History Channel and Discovery Channel and appear regularly at the Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, national pow-wows, and major festivals.