Donna Abbott

Abbott was raised in Robbins, a small community in Dorchester County, Maryland. She grew up in a family that worked on the water, fishing, and trapping.^[1] Abbott attended Chesapeake College^[2] and spent thirty years in a career in radiology.^[3]

In 1988, a nonprofit organization named the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians was formed by descendants from the Nanticoke and Choptank tribes.^[4][5][6] The Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians aims to recognize traditions of Eastern shore Native people, raise awareness and bring tribal people together.^[4][7][8] The group is represented on the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, but is not recognized by the state as a tribe.^[7] Abbott joined the group in the early 2000s and began to investigate its history.^[8] She also served as Treasurer and Secretary.^[2]

In 2014, the band's first chief, Sewell Edward “Winterhawk” Fitzhugh passed away.^[9] Abbot was encouraged to run for the position as chief. Abbott was elected as chief of the band in 2015.^[10][11] Upon her appointment, Abbott was recognized as the first woman chief of a Maryland tribe in known history.^[7][12]

As chief, Abbott works to promote the Nause-Waiwash, organizes the band's summer gathering,^[13] and advocates for Native American history to be taught in local schools.^[14][15][16] Abbott is vocal about the role that climate change impacts the Eastern Shore lands that members of the tribe have long inhabited.^{[17][3][18][19]}

As chief, Abbott served on the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs for six years.^[2][20] In her role, Abbott has described facing criticism for her gender and for passing as white.^[7] Abbott is one of the women depicted on the Dorchester Women's Mural that was unveiled in 2022.^[21]

In 2025, Abbott was named to the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame.^[2]

• Native American identity in the United States
• List of organizations that self-identify as Native American tribes
• Indigenous peoples of Maryland
• Hughes A.M.E. Chapel, property acquired by the tribe and used as a longhouse^[22][23]