Retired USAF veteran. Photo by PJ Thorn Photography.

​     As a member of the “Apsaalooke Nation”, Supaman makes his home on the Crow reservation in Montana. “Supaman” Is Christian Takes Gun Parrish, a Native American dancer and innovative hip hop artist who has dedicated his life to empowering and spreading a message of hope through culture and music.
     He has been the recipient of the Nammy “Native American Music Award”, “North American Indigenous Image Award”, and  7 “Tunney Awards”. He recently was awarded  The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in Canada for best video and was voted MTV’s new Artist of the Week!
     His latest video’s titled “Prayer Loop Song” and “Why” both have gone viral and have received over 2 million views on youtube and facebook which has put him in high demand touring extensively throughout the U.S.A and internationally.
     He has performed for Google at the Google headquarters in San Francisco and got to dance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. He recently was asked to audition for America’s Got Talent and the Broadway play Hamilton.  
     Christian’s presentation combines Native American culture and urban hip hop culture which dazzles audiences and captivates listeners. For this he has gained the respect of his culture and generation. The communicative talent along with the compassion that exudes from his music allows him to connect with people from all walks of life.
​     His uncanny ability to motivate, encourage, and inspire through dance, and hip hop music keeps him at the forefront among his contemporaries. 
  

BERRYVILLE VA - Members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina are showing up in solidarity for this new movement in humanity, called "The Gathering" held in Northern Virginia. The executive director, arena director, drum singers, several dancers, and a few special guests originate from North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe, largest Native American Tribe east of the Mississippi River.
     On Oct. 21-22 Lumbee Indians and other Native American Indigenous people from the four directions will converge here in the Shenandoah Valley, along with thousands of visitors to celebrate the fall harvest with dance and music through community.

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ABOUT THE LUMBEE.
     "​We come from Siouan tribes, most prominent were the Cheraw and Keyauwee," said Rene' Locklear White, executive director for The Gathering. 
     "State officials recognized us as Indian in 1885," Rene said.  "During the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, Indian agents attempted to resettle us. Our people had grown in solidarity, even though remnants of our ancestral languages faded by 1939. Then, in 1956 (only 61 years ago), Congress passed the Lumbee Act and we all received the name “Lumbee.’”  We became a new tribe a conglomerate of Indigenous branches grafted into one tree, connected by Spirit."

     The Spirit of The Gathering 2017 calls all people into "one hoop," "a new tribe" to celebrate humanity. The Gathering is Oct. 21-22 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville, Va. 
​     Events like The Gathering provide the means of preserving a heritage valuable to all. 
     Group and individual discounted advance tickets are available online. General Admission is $7, Kidz age 4 and Under FREE. Funds generated from this event go towards scholarships for dancers and musicians.

     H.R. 2352 BILL, when passed, will amend the Lumbee Recognition Act of June 7, 1956, to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and make its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes.
     ​Several members of the Lumbee Tribe participate in The Gathering, an education celebration of agr-culture held in Northern Virginia.

    Dennis Banks co-founder of the American Indian Movement and Co-MC to The Gathering answers questions by Amy Mathews Amos with The Observer Amy Mathews in The Observer Oct. 2015 issue. The issue also includes photos by Carolyn Piatt Powers Angel Heart Photography of Tatanka Gibson, Lenny Harmon and Tess Bladen. See below for the article and click here to see the full online issue. 

    The Gathering is an educational celebration of Agri-CULTURE being held Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds 890 West Main Street Berryville, VA 22611. The Gathering features 64 vendors and exhibitors, traditional Native American Harvest Dance, 14th Annual Virginia Gourd Festival, Kidz Harvest Festival, food, fun and fellowship ... even a Trick or Treat Trot alternative to Halloween Admission only $5; kids 4 and under free.

Berryville, VA - The Gathering Harvest Dance is distinctive from the traditional Pow Wow Dance. The Gathering begins with oral histories, then select children and elders from our communities bring in a fall harvest of corn, squash and apples. The Spirit of The Gathering is sure to catch you as you watch elders helping our youth of all colors (red, yellow, black and white) connect to the land. (Preview Schedule)
    Native American Indians and non-Indians are invited from the four directions to participate and celebrate in this elevated spirit of Thanksgiving and humanity. Grounds open at 9 am Friday (education day), Saturday and Sunday.   

    The event is hosted by the Sanctuary on the Trail™ in partnership with the Virginia Lovers' Gourd Society 14th Annual Virgina Gourd Festival Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville, Va.