Chief Billy "Red Wing" Tayac of the is the present hereditary chief of the Piscataway Indian Nation of Maryland and an American Indian Movement (AIM) leader and activist. 

He was a participant in many Native American struggles including Wounded Knee, Gankineh, Big Mountain, OK’a, Gustafson Lake, the Salvadorian Indian Movement, and the Ecuadorian Indian Movement. 

He has been Leonard Peltier’s advisor and spokesman for 24 years and was also the principal negotiator of Native American religion in Maryland and many federal penitentiaries and the Department of Interior.

Chief Earl Bass of Nansemond plans to attend The Gathering scheduled for Oct. 30 - Nov. 1.

The Nansemond are a Virginia State recognized Tribe. They are not Federally recognized but are one of six Virginia tribes without reservations that are included in a bill for Federal recognition under consideration by the United States Congress.

The 2016 Nansemond Powwow is August 20th & 21st.

Most members of the tribe live in the Suffolk/Chesapeake, Virginia area.

At the time of European encounter, the historic Nansemond tribe spoke one of the Algonquian languages

On the eve of the 45th Academy Awards, Marlon Brando announced that he would boycott the ceremony and send Apache Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. As Littlefeather read the acceptance letter, some in the crowd booed (video bottom left). Marlon Brando was among a few in Hollywood who raised attention to what is being taught about Indigenous culture in our schools, by the media and in films (video below left). Littlefeather says she was immediately blacklisted in Hollywood, according to Indian County Media Network.
Indian Country Today tells how "Marlon Brando asked Littlefeather, then a budding actress, to attend the Academy Awards and refuse the Oscar for him to protest the way the film industry perpetuated harmful stereotypes of Native Americans, and to show his solidarity with American Indian activists who were at that moment engaged in an armed battle with the FBI at Wounded Knee."

Marlon Brando supported the American Indian Movement (AIM), co-founded by American Indian Icon Dennis Banks. Now, Dennis Banks volunteered to be co-master of ceremony for The Gathering 2015 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville VA this fall. The three-day festival details are online at www.HarvestGathering.org. Everyone is welcome to attend. Schedule for The Gathering CLICK HERE. 

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. 

     VIP ambassador packages sent to 31 local tribes inviting two Tribal Ambassadors from each tribe/band/association to The Gathering Oct. 30 - Nov. 1.
     Looking forward to honoring our east coast tribal leadership and introducing you to communities who do not know we have Indian Tribes on the east coast. If your tribe does not receive one of these VIP access packets, please let us know.
Email: info4TheGathering@gmail.com

Oct. 30 Kidz Harvest Fest
Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 Harvest Dance
Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 Virginia Gourd Festival
The Gathering is for all tribes and all peoples.

The Gathering is an Experiment in
Thanksgiving and Humanity.

Berryville VA - Soil is the earth’s living skin, supporting a complex ecosystem below and essential to human life above. Healthy soil is the foundation for agriculture, and helps clean the water we drink and the air we breathe.
    Whether you are a farmer or a backyard gardener, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can help you understand how to protect and improve the function of your soil.

Berryville VA -- Attend The Gathering of Authors and meet author Philip Burnham as he presents his new Native American biography, "Song of Dewey Beard: Last Survivor of the Little Bighorn."
     Philip will present his book during a special Book Forum at The Gathering on Saturday, Oct. 31. Stay tuned to www.HarvestGathering.org for specific times and other author listings.
    The event also features author Dennis Banks co-founder of the American Indian Movement, traditional Native American Harvest Dance, Virginia Gourd Festival, Kidz Harvest Fest and much more.
    The Gathering is being held Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds located at 890 West Main Street in Berryville Va. 22611.

MEET THE AUTHOR
    Philip Burnham is a Term Assistant Professor with the Department of English at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

ABOUT THE BOOK
     Beard was not only a witness to two major battles against the Lakota; he also traveled with William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s Wild West show, worked as a Hollywood Indian, and witnessed the grand transformation of the Black Hills into a tourism mecca. Beard spent most of his later life fighting to reclaim his homeland and acting as “old Dewey Beard,” a living relic of the “old West” for the tourists.

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 info4TheGathering@gmail.com. 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 - The Town of Berryville Mayor Wilson Kirby accepted our invitation today to attend The Gathering Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2015. We also extended invitations to the Town Council members:

• (Jay) Harry Lee Arnold, Jr., Recorder
• Douglas A. Shaffer, Ward One Council Member
• H. Allen Kitselman, III, Ward Two Council Member
• Mary Daniel, Ward Three Council Member
• David L. Tollett, Ward Four Council Member

    It is our pleasure, and responsibility, to invite them to participate in planting this all-exciting seed of Thanksgiving and possibilities for all of our communities and all our relations.
     The Gathering kicks off Native American Heritage Month Fri., Oct. 30 – Sun., Nov. 1, 2015 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville, Virginia.
     Berryville is a wonderful community.  By long tradition, and as designated in the Berryville Area Plan, the Town serves as the center of commercial, residential, institutional and industrial activity for Clarke County. 
     Both the Town and County are committed to preserving and enhancing Berryville’s historic downtown and maintaining Clarke County’s exquisite countryside.

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.