Debbie Porreco, also known as Debbie White Dove, is a Native American woman who claims to be a direct descendant of Pocahontas, the famous Powhatan princess who married an English colonist in the 17th century. Debbie has been featured in various media as a model for Pocahontas, including the Disney animated movie and documentaries produced by Ted Turner. But how is Debbie Porreco related to Pocahontas, and what is the evidence for her ancestry?
The Mattaponi connection
Debbie Porreco was born as Debbie White Dove Custalow on the Mattaponi Indian Reservation in Virginia, where she grew up as the youngest of nine children of the tribe’s chief. She was taught Native American dancing and culture from an early age, and participated in powwows and ceremonies. She also gave tours and taught tourists about her tribe’s history and traditions.
According to Debbie, her tribe is one of the original tribes that formed the Powhatan Confederacy, which was led by Chief Powhatan, the father of Pocahontas. She says that her family has a direct lineage to Pocahontas through her son, Thomas Rolfe, who was born in England and returned to Virginia as an adult. Debbie claims that she has a genealogy chart that traces her ancestry back to Pocahontas, and that she has been recognized by her tribe as a descendant of the princess.
The Disney controversy
Debbie Porreco’s claim to fame came when she was chosen as a model for Pocahontas in various media productions. She says that she was discovered by a producer who saw her picture in a magazine and thought she looked like Pocahontas. She then auditioned for the role and was selected to play the princess in commercials, parades, pageants, re-enactments and documentaries.
One of the most notable projects that Debbie was involved in was the Disney animated movie “Pocahontas”, which was released in 1995. Debbie says that she was hired by Disney to be a consultant and a model for the character design and animation. She says that she met with the animators and directors, and that they used her facial features, hair color, skin tone and body shape to create the image of Pocahontas. She also says that she provided voice samples and expressions for the character.
However, Debbie’s role as a Disney model has been disputed by some critics, who argue that she is not a credible source for Pocahontas’ appearance or personality. They point out that Debbie is not a member of the Pamunkey tribe, which is the only federally recognized tribe that claims descent from Pocahontas. They also note that Debbie has dyed her hair from black to golden brown, which does not match the historical records of Pocahontas’ hair color. Moreover, they contend that Debbie’s claim to be a descendant of Pocahontas is not verified by any official documents or DNA tests.
The political stance
Debbie Porreco’s connection to Pocahontas has also drawn attention in the political arena, especially after former President Donald Trump repeatedly used the nickname “Pocahontas” to mock Senator Elizabeth Warren, who had claimed Native American ancestry based on family stories. Debbie, who is a supporter of Trump and lives near his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, has publicly defended Trump’s use of the nickname and criticized Warren for lying about her heritage.
Debbie has said that she does not find Trump’s nickname offensive or racist, but rather humorous and accurate. She has also said that she thinks Warren should apologize to Native Americans for claiming to be one of them without proof. She has challenged Warren to take a DNA test to prove her ancestry, and has offered to pay for it herself.
In 2018, Warren released a DNA test that showed that she had a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago, which could mean that she had between 0.09 percent to 1.5 percent Native American ancestry. However, this result did not satisfy Debbie or many Native Americans, who argued that DNA tests are not reliable or relevant for determining tribal membership or identity. They also accused Warren of making a mockery of Native American culture and history by using a DNA test for political purposes.
The final verdict
So how is Debbie Porreco related to Pocahontas? The answer depends on who you ask and what criteria you use. Debbie says that she is related to Pocahontas through her son Thomas Rolfe, and that she has a genealogy chart and tribal recognition to back up her claim. However, some critics say that Debbie is not related to Pocahontas at all, and that she has no evidence or authority to speak for the princess or her descendants. They also question Debbie’s authenticity and credibility as a Native American and a Pocahontas model.
Ultimately, the truth behind Debbie Porreco’s relationship to Pocahontas may never be fully known or agreed upon. What is clear, however, is that Debbie Porreco is a fascinating and controversial figure who has made an impact on the media, the politics and the culture of America. Whether you admire her or doubt her, you cannot deny that she has a story worth telling.
