Smithsonian Institution Recovering Voices 2016 Community Research Grant Applications - Now Open

The 2016 Community Research Grants Call for Proposals is now open. The open period is from July 15, 2015 to September 15, 2015 for proposed research visits to take place in 2016. Multiple grants will be funded through this Call for Proposals.

The purpose of the Community Research Grant program is to support indigenous communities in their efforts to save, document, and enliven their languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. Grants bring groups of community scholars from around the world to the Smithsonian to examine specific objects, specimens, and documents related to their heritage and to engage in a dialogue with Smithsonian staff in order to recover and revitalize their language and knowledge. Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Grants can have a budget of up to $10,000.

To apply, submit materials by September 15, 2015.http://recoveringvoices.si.edu/resourcesandgran…/grants.html

Clarke County, Virginia – The Gathering council of elders announced today that Native American Indian Debora Littlewing Moore [De-bohr-uh] of the Federally Recognized Pamunkey Indian Tribe of Virgina accepted their invitation to be Head Dancer for Native American Indian The Gathering Harvest Dance Oct. 29 - Nov.1, 2015. (See Story & Slide Show below

Intertribal Women’s Circle
     Debora Littlewing Moore is the Founding President of the Intertribal Women’s Circle, a Virginia based 501(c)3 that works within her life mission of cultural preservation and the continuance of traditional tribal art forms.  
     Debora has pressed against health inequalities for American Indian Women for more than 15 years, working with other non-profits and the Virginia Health Department to bring awareness and make long overdue changes.  
     More recently, she began addressing historical trauma within her local tribal communities and plans to bring better awareness of the needs of tribal youth in Virginia.
     Debora was co-curator for the Pamunkey tribal exhibit included in “Our Lives” at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C and is curator each year for various Indigenous art exhibitions across the state. She is an accomplished Southern Traditional dancer and traditional Powhatan Potter as apprentice to her mother; Master Powhatan Potter, Mildred Gentle Rain Moore. 

Head Dancer
As the Head Female Dancer, Debora's reputation as an outstanding Native American dancer, knowledgeable of traditions and customs, a women honored by many, and activist in her community makes her the perfect female role model for others to follow during The Gathering Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2015 Harvest Dance.
     Debora's job is to continue to exhibit the outstanding traditional qualities she has shown in her life. Her role includes being present throughout The Gathering and leading the dancers by being the first to begin each dance.

(1913) The Skokomish, or Twana are known as "the people of the river," and their traditional land was the Hood Canal drainage basin in western Washington state/Oregon. The Skokomish are known for the quality of their baskets, and today many tribal members work in the logging and fishing industries.

Berryville VA - Children of all ages are invited to HEAR Native American flute and pow wow music; LISTEN to Native American oral histories; TOUCH a Native American drum, talking stick and furs; SEE Native American sacred fans; and SMELL Native American sacred herbs.
     The Clarke County Public Library in partnership with implementors for The Gathering (hosted by the Sanctuary on the Trail in Partnership with the Virginia Lovers Gourd Festival) are offering children of all ages this mini-harvest gathering July 27 at 10:30 inside the Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, Va.
     This FREE preview event prepares children, families and teachers to register early for the Kidz Harvest Fest, a special school day event being held Friday, Nov. 30 during The Gathering an educational celebration of agri-culture at the Clarke County Fairgrounds. http://barnsofrosehill.org/

Barns of Rose Hill
95 Chalmers Court
Berryville, Va. 22611

The Chickahominy and Chickahominy Eastern Division are among several Virginia Indian Tribes that received state recognized in the 1980s. Learn more about them at The Gathering.

Chickahominy Tribe
Coarse Pounded Corn People. The Chickahominy Tribe is located in Charles City County, Virginia, midway between Richmond and Williamsburg, near where the tribe lived in 1600

Chickahominy Tribe Eastern Division
Last of the eight state-recognized tribes in Virginia to own land. The Chickahominy Tribe Eastern Division is located 25 miles east of Richmond in New Kent County, Virginia.

Take the Virginia Indian Heritage Trail. Read more online in this landmark publication created by members of the Virginia tribes and edited by Kareene Wood. Learn more at Virginia Humanities.   

Clarke County, Virginia – The Gathering council of elders announced today that Native American Indian Tatanka Gibson accepted their invitation to be Head Dancer for The Gathering Harvest Dance this fall.
     (See Story & Slide Show below

Tatanka Gibson

• 20 years old
  
• Haliwa-saponi Tribe
• Native American Indian Northern Traditional Eastern Dancer
  
• Woodlands War Dancer
• Grass Dancer
• Chicken Dancer

• Traveled the Native American Indian Circuit up and down the east coast and out west
• Powwowing since he was born
• Quote: "My personal goals are to have a good job have a house and family and continue to powwow and educate people about our rich culture."

Head Dancer
As the Head Male Dancer, Tatanka's reputation as an outstanding Native American dancer, knowledgeable of traditions and customs and a family man makes him the perfect male role model for others to follow during The Gathering Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2015.
     Tatanka's job is to continue to exhibit the outstanding traditional qualities he has shown in his life. His role includes being present throughout The Gathering and leading the dancers by being the first to begin each dance.

White House Youth Gathering: Native Youth Have First Lady and President Behind Them
Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/07/13/white-house-youth-gathering-native-youth-have-first-lady-and-president-behind-them-161045