Tribes present Va. gov. with deer, turkey

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The chiefs of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey American Indian tribes upheld a 333-year-old treaty by presenting the Virginia governor with two deer and a turkey.

The slain animals were presented Wednesday to Gov. Robert McDonnell at the executive mansion in Richmond as part of a centuries-long tradition exempting the tribes from paying taxes, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

"On behalf of the people of Virginia, I accept this tribute," McDonnell said.

The Republican governor said some of the meat is bound for his own Thanksgiving table.