This "We Are Still Here" poster is part of a Native Voices Exhibit in Bluemont, Virginia open on Sundays (only) from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm from May to October 2024.

Over the years, the Indigenous individuals featured in this poster have participated in bringing educational Indigenous events and activities to the small town of Bluemont located in Northern Virginia.

​Lumbee Indian René Locklear White created this poster as a symbol to show that "We Are Still Here," dancers, veterans, elders and others still contributing.​

Despite centuries of colonization, oppression, attempts at genocide and cultural erasure, this statement carries a powerful message of survival, strength, and resistance. This is a reminder that our Indigenous communities have endured and continue to exist, despite historical injustices and challenges. 

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University recently donated set pieces from their production of The Wedding Gift. The pieces will be used for the Indian Village that opens Sept. 17-18 during the 47th Annual Bluemont Fair.

The Indian Village theme is, "Where the Past and Present Meet Under a Harvest Moon," and is part of a cultural rescue by artists to teach children how to build the Indian Village while working alongside Native American Indians.

According to multiple reports, "a staggering 87 percent of references to American Indians in all 50 states' academic standards portray them in a pre-1900 context."

That means students are graduating from high school without even basic knowledge of contemporary Native challenges or culture.

A team of more than 100 volunteers are creating this interactive experience that combines modern technology with traditional sustainable living to give visitors a glimpse into the lives of Native American Indians who lived in the past and those living today. A full agenda is posted online.

CATF donated 16 various-sized panels averaging 20 feet tall to the host for the Indian Village non-profit Sanctuary on the Trail.

The panels were part of the set (designed by David M. Barber) for playwright Chisa Hutchinson's The Wedding Gift, a provocative 90-minute play that received its world premiere at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. Due to the size of the flats, and the inevitable damage that occurs during disassembly, the walls were slated to be discarded. However, Rene Locklear White, president of Sanctuary on the Trail, learned that the Festival was open to the idea of donating the pieces.

"I saw The Wedding Gift with my neighbor, June Krupsaw," said Rene. "After the show, the audience was invited to stay and watch crew members transform the stage in preparation for that evening's performance of 20th Century Blues, by Susan Miller. This involved changing sets. Trent Kugler and Joshua Midgett-CATF's Production Manager and General Manager-indicated there was a possibility of obtaining The Wedding Gift's panels after I inquired about their use for the Indian Village. As soon as the Festival ended, Trent contacted us. We're so excited and thankful to CATF for this priceless contribution to our past and present theme."

The panels are currently stored in Bluemont waiting for September installation.

"Visitors will see many of the panels at the Indian Village along with a wigwam, and see all the panels next year during The Gathering 2017," said Chris (Comeswithclouds White) who admitted they are seeking a few strong volunteers to help install the panels this year and next year.

To volunteer or contribute to the Indian Village visit www.HarvestGathering.org, email [email protected] or call Rene at 540-554-8730 or www.BluemontFair.org. This is a 501(c)3 non-profit initiative and all contributions are tax deductible.
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"The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University produces and develops vital, topical, and engaging new American plays," according to Gabriel Zucker, Director of Communications and Marketing for CATF.

"The Festival tells daring and diverse stories and strives to create a profound dynamic between the audience, the artists, and the work."

"Inclusive of the 2016 season, CATF has produced 115 new plays, 43 world premieres, and 10 new play commissions. 56 of the Festival's plays have been penned by women; 59 by men, which puts the female to male ratio at 49 percent--nearly twice the national average," added Zucker.

The Festival's 27th Season will run July 7-30, 2017. For more information about CATF visit www.catf.org.
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“U” are in “commUnity.” Our connections are “community.” And our “unity” is also in “commUNITY.” Our unity gives us strong footing, to do, to help and to be.

OUR MISSION/VISION.  Our mission is helping leaders first and bringing recognition to the contributions Indigenous have given and continue to give to the globe. As we do this, we reduce suffering in the world.
     By volunteering with us you are taking an active role in reducing suffering in the world. As long as you and we keep volunteering, we are transforming peoples’ opinions, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors.
     Thank you for being part of a group of people who care about community and are doing something about it! Thank you, thank you and thank you. We are proud to serve with you.

Chris and Rene' White
Sanctuary on the Trail™
CEO and President

     Thank you to those who were able to attend Saturday’s, July 30 BBQ at Sanctuary on the Trail. Currently we have 75 volunteers signed up by email to help out with the Indian Village and The Gathering; this does not include Facebook friends, partners, Boy Scouts and news media who are helping.
     If you were unable to attend this past weekend's BBQ, you have another opportunity in ~ a month, then again to help during the Indian Village event. We had close to 40 of you attend the BBQ this weekend.
     Our small volunteer gatherings are vital to making this year’s Indian Village, at the Bluemont Fair Sept. 17-18, 2016, and The Gathering 2017 next year Oct. 20-22, 2017, even more successful than last year’s. 
     MEMORIES FROM SATURDAY.
Many of you and a few of you:

• Visited the Indian Village site.
• Helped set up for the BBQ.
• Shared gifts for giveaway. 
• Brought delicious food, flowers and plants.
• Ate together.
• Indulged in ice-cream and shameful desserts.
• Gave donations.
• Brought sacred Tobacco.
• Prayed for friends.
• Prayed with friends.
• Laughed out loud. 
• Won door prizes.
• Drank coffee.
• Sat through four rain showers.
• Shared stories.
• Drank BB&T water.
• Met new people.
• Reunited with old friends. 
• Took pictures.
• Saw butterflies.
• Ran in the rain.
• Played drum.
• Played flute.
• Sang songs.
• Laughed at Sue’s Tea-Shirt, Glenda’s Angel Shirt, and Tracy’s Drank Shirt. 
• Danced around a fire.
• Planned next steps. 
• Looked at the stars.
• Stayed over night.
• Helped clean up.
• Took home paper butterflies.

TO: Sanctuary on the Trail, Inc
René White, President

It is a pleasure to inform you that the Virginia Commission for the Arts has awarded Sanctuary on the Trail, Inc a matching grant of $1950 in the Artists in Education program.

The Commission is grateful for your dedication to providing the schools and the community with arts in education activities designed to enhance the scope and sequence of a school’s basic arts instruction and to provide arts education resources for teachers and parents.
​
Please accept our best wishes for your continued success.

Original letter signed by Margaret Vanderhye Executive Director

LOUDOUN MIRROR NEWS article

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These are a sampling of the questions children and their parents asked us Native American Indians and volunteers during Kidz Fest this weekend along with our answers:

Q. Do Indians wear hats?
A.  Yes, see that Indian over there, his name is Andrew Tyler and he's wearing a hat and he's also a military veteran. I am an Indian too and I like wearing hats. 

Q. Is it hard to kill a buffalo?
A.  Yes. Buffalo are very fast. Faster than dogs.

Q. What do Indians do?
A.  Indians protect the Earth.

Q.  Did Indians kill the Pilgrims?
A.  Yes Indians killed pilgrims, but a lot of pilgrims killed lot of Indians. A lot of Indians also helped the pilgrims.

Q. What tribe are you from?
A.  (We each answered with our own tribal affiliation)

Q. What tribe is this song from?
A. It is an inter-tribal song, where we all can dance together.

     Volunteer Ashley Creek Chickasaw said she told the butterfly story at least 120 times, each time passing out small butterflies she made by hand.
     Volunteers Liz Ortiz and Penny Robb Stone danced and sang songs with the children, as Andrew Tyler, who drove six hours to volunteer, played and sang with his Indian drum. Chris Anderson took photos while Sue Peoples and Rene' Locklear White helped people understand the pre-contact map and passed out prizes. Tracey Pitcock and her three children Tiffany, Shawnee & Joey along with Cindy Mann-Tenney and Sue's husband Mitch Peoples, arrived just in time to help talk with hundreds of people passing by and then tear down between rain showers.
     Special thanks to the Bluemont Fair committee volunteers Cynthia Morris and Jen Stone and their families who baked dozens of cookies for the children and volunteers. Thanks to Dianne Waddell for helping make extra butterflies. And big thank you to Dario Savarese with Full Circle Marketing who invited us to participate in their Kidz Fest event.
     And a BIG thank you to Mary F. for all your work in the background.