Chief Terry Price of Virginia's Wolf Creek Cherokee is scheduled to attend The Gathering Oct. 30 - Nov. 1

The Wolf Creek Cherokee museum offers preservation of artifacts as well as artwork, research in genealogy, and educational classes. 

Sign up early for Kidz Harvest Fest Special VIP Group Tours and Advance Ticket Sales for the First Tour Groups of the Educational Villages that begin at 10:00 am on Friday Oct. 30. CLICK HERE to get a VIP Group Tour registration packet now before it fills up.

General Admission Opens to ALL AGES at 11:00 am Friday, Oct. 30.

Berryville, VA -- The first Tipi for The Gathering went up yesterday and exceeds 50’ in circumference and 19’ feet across at the base. Finding the right location for the Tipi was easy, thanks to Clermont Farm. Most of the time spent was shaving bark from 15 skinny poles ranging between 22’ to 26’ feet long.
    Chris White CEO of the Sanctuary on the Trail™ designed the Tipi based on the Sioux style Indian Tipi. Yesterday's installation was phase-1 standing up the Tipi. Phase-2 takes place later this month to wrap the Tipi with an original painting designed by Chris. At least two more Tipis are scheduled to go up at the Clarke County Fairgrounds as part of The Gathering.
     In partnership with Clermont Farm Tait Golightly, Chris White installed this first Native American Indian Tipi at the intersection of Highway 7 and Berryville Main Street on the corner of Clermont Farm on Tues. Sept. 15. Volunteers Patrick Skelley of Front Royal VA, Stuart Harrison of Boyce VA and Rene' Locklear White president of Sanctuary on the Trail™ helped.
    The Tipi installation is part of the behind the scenes to The Gathering, an educational celebration of agri-culture that includes traditional Native American Harvest Dance, 14th Annual Gourd Festival, Kidz Harvest Festival and much more scheduled for Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds.
    This Tipi project began months ago after meetings between Clermont Farm and Sanctuary on the Trail™
Bob Stieg, Tait Golightly, Mary Lou Rhodes and
Chris and Rene' White.
   Tipi is spelled Tepee and also spelled Teepee. They

are tent-like American Indian/Indigenous dwellings used mainly by Plains Indian Tribes. They are carefully designed to set up and break down quickly. As a tribe moved from place to place, each family would bring their tipi poles and hide tent along with them.

     President Barack Obama reached out to Native youth, inviting them the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering this summer.
     In a video message (BELOW) delivered to the 32rd annual Gathering of Nations powwow in New Mexico, Obama said he was inspired by the youth he and First Lady Michelle Obama met during their visits.

White House released a Native youth report that outlined many of the challenges facing Native youth.

Obama is hoping that same spirit will return to the nation's capital on July 9, when his administration hosted the inaugural Native youth event. He urged powwow participants to join Generation Indigenous and engage their communities through the Youth Challenge.
     "We want young leaders to share their stories with our country and to have opportunities to turn their

talent and passion into strong leadership for the future of tribal nations and of America," Obama said his message to the powwow, the largest in North America.
      Applications were due May 8. The conference was open to Native youth ages 14-24 from "rural or urban communities," the White House said. The goal is to select some 800 Native youth to attend the gathering, whose theme is "Two Worlds, One Future: Defining Our Own Success." The event was held at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel.

     The Gathering is featured in the Sept/Oct "Back to School" issue of the award winning Child Guide Magazine hitting the news stands soon. All thanks to The Gathering volunteer Jeanne Morton for writing the article, "The Gathering, Native American 101," and Cecilia "Cis" Rhyne editor & Angela Pelleman community mentors for suggesting the idea.
     The article appears on page 20 and is expected to draw hundreds of groups of children to The Gathering Kidz Harvest Fest on Friday, Oct. 30. Photos with the article are of local Native American Louis Campbell (taken by photographer Peter Thornton), and a young Indian boy carrying a gourd, courtesy of the Smithsonian.

     The Child Guide monthly magazine is for families in the quad-state area. Child Guide strives to provide families and educators with a free publication packed with good ideas and quality resources for raising happy, healthy children ... because we believe that being a loving guide for your child is the most important job in the world!

     The Child Guide is a first-rate family magazine  available for free at over 400 locations including elementary schools in seven districts, libraries in seven districts, hospitals, retail stores, child-care centers, doctors' and dentists' offices, gyms and recreation centers, etc.

Register for
Kidz Harvest Fest
One Day Only Offering Oct. 30
The Gathering
Clarke County Fairgrounds
890 West Main Street
Berryville, VA 22611

Berryvillle VA -- The Sanctuary on the Trail™ is hosting a Book Forum during The Gathering on Sat. Oct. 31 and Sun. Nov. 1. This is the first year for this Gathering of Authors. The Book Forum features writers who play an integral role in agriculture, gourd art, farming, Native American culture/humanities, sustainable living, nature, plants, diversity, and much more.
    Authors from across the region will rotate every hour or two selling and signing their works as well as carrying on dialogues with attendees about their books.
    The Gathering is an opportunity to meet authors in a casual, comfortable atmosphere.
     Authors interested in being part of this historic events and allowing attendees to peruse your newest releases, please contact Rene’ at the Sanctuary on the Trail™ email [email protected]. Booth space if free. Tables and sound system if provided. Authors retain all sales of their merchandise for this educational celebration of agri-culture.
    The Gathering is open to the public Admission is $5. Ages 4 and under are free. The event features a Harvest Dance and Virginia Gourd Festival a well as Trading Post Vendors and Living History Exhibitors at the Clarke County Fairgrounds 890 West Main Street Berryville, VA 22611.
     Authors interested in donating books to the auction or giveaways, please mail books to Sanctuary on the Trail PO Box 123 Bluemont VA 20135.

By Mitch Peoples

Berryville VA - One need only mention the name of Johnny Rocca in drag racing circles to conjure up images of early days with fellow racers “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, gasser greats K.S. Pittman, and Stone, Woods and Cook. “Gassers” as they were called, consisted of 40’s Willys coupes and pickup trucks, 50’s Thames panel trucks, and mid 50’s Chevrolets; all known for their wild wheelstands.

Growing up in Virginia’s backwoods, Johnny realized education would prove the road to success. Years of hard work in farming brought Rocca closer to his dreams with an Electrical Engineering degree from Maryland University. This education allowed him to spend years building a reputation as a successful highway contractor. He specializing in traffic signals in and around Washington, D.C. Rocca recognizes and emphasizes the importance of success through education.

Rocca is the only Native American drag racer racing in the professional ranks on the NHRA national event circuit. It was late in 1959 when a friend invited him to a drag race. Johnny never looked back. Although lacking in the sponsorship to make a living at racing, Johnny was nevertheless hooked. Rocca stepped away from racing for nearly 10 years while returning to full-time farming and business interests. By the late 80s, Rocca had teamed up with good friend and fellow racer K. S. Pittman on the nostalgia circuit and the pair toured for several years.

In 1990, Rocca advanced to a newer, more modern class: the Pro Mod. 526 cubic inch blown alcohol doorslammers, sit on the left, with any type of body, a throwback to the days of AA Gas Supercharged. Rocca jumped in, building a 1933 Willys in which to compete. That first Pro Mod was nicknamed the "Tin Indian"; one of three versions. Johnny then built a '49 Mercury, named the "Iron Horse" from a dream Johnny had about his grandfather. The Iron Horse ran quick and fast -- a world record holder on the IHRA circuit.

Now Rocca races a version named the “Dark Horse”. A Native American, a Tuscarora Tribe Indian, and a member of the Iroquois Federation, made up of six tribes. When racing, Rocca will try to find a reservation close to the track and set up a visit with youth from the reservation school. Most teach job skills, but unemployment is so prevalent on the reservations that it is difficult to live there. “Despite common beliefs, there are no government subsidies on reservations”

Rocca insists. “The reservations are poor. Most housing lacks common necessities such as plumbing or electricity and streets are dirt roads. That's reservations right here in America. The government has thrown us off lands so many times because every time the Indians found something that the land was good for they would take it away. They finally gave us the worst land they could find and they called it a reservation. Since you couldn't work the land, the only other choice was to build. Along came casinos. So now the government is fighting us on that. Fortunately, the Supreme Court sided with us. So there's hope for the native people in that area”.

"Even so, we still have a lot of young people out there that are looking at a life of alcoholism, welfare and unemployment because there are no jobs on the reservation. So what we are trying to do is show them that in the racing industry, not just drag racing, there are places for them. They can be successful. They can be somebody.

"The school picks a group of about 10-15 to visit with us at the track on Friday and see up close exactly what we do. Some of them have never seen a race of any type. Maybe we're building some future racers, some future crew members. If we can motivate one of those youngsters into a job or career and make the quality of life for them and their families better, it's well worth the investment and time.

"It's about recognition for the Native American. That's why I still wear my hair long. These are warrior braids. I have them because I am entitled to wear them. I still dance and all the other things related to my native people. I am very much into the way of my people. I hold myself out that way. I wear my moccasins. I dance when I win, when I'm happy. So this is where I've evolved. The waning, sunset part of my career is really dedicated to my people. I'm very much into it," concluded Rocca.

Rocca has been a recognizable character at the track with his appearance and his tenure and success, but Rocca's dedication to his Native American Heritage and his family will live longer. He only hopes that he serves as a messenger of his tribe and of the lessons he learned through his hard work. The times Johnny Rocca spent with his Grandfather learning of his heritage and with his tribe learning their way of life, have produced a true American Hero.

Married to Barbara for over 30 years, the two have raised a daughter, Jessica, and a son, Seth.

Berryville, VA -- Children ages 2 - 8 along with their parents received a Native American Indian cultural immersion this week thanks to The Gathering elders Chris (Comeswithclouds) White, Sheila Hansen, Rene' Locklear White (Feather) and Sue Peoples.
     Close to 30 children and their parents HEARD Native American songs, flute and drumming; LISTENED to Native American oral histories; TOUCHED a feathers, talking stick, animal furs, corn and pine cones; SAW Native American feather fans, jewelry and regalia; and SMELLED Native American sacred sage.
     The Clarke County Public Library in partnership with elders for The Gathering, offered children a mini-harvest gathering inside the Barns of Rose Hill community center as a FREE preview event to help excite children, families and teachers to register early for the Kidz Harvest Fest, a special school day event being held Friday, Oct. 30.
     The Gathering is an educational celebration of agri-"culture" being held at the Clarke County Fairgrounds. More about this nonprofit event or how to be part of it visit www.HarvestGathering.org or email [email protected].

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.

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