Category: - Native American Church of Virginia

Second Horse Tooth Found around Triangle Formation at Paleo-Indian Site

4/15/2016

BLUEMONT, VA -- An 11-year-old Boy Scout found a fossilizing horse tooth around the triangle formation at the Paleo-Indian site here this week. Carter Tarbet was one of seven Boy Scouts from Troop 743 Round Hill, Virginia in Loudoun County who helped clear land to help with an upcoming 3D-scanning when he discovered the tooth.
Describing the boys, Dave Tarbet 743 Troop Leader said, "They don't think about thousands of years ago. People lived here and left things behind."
Dave is also Carter's father, and sounded proud that his son found the old horse tooth.
"It is eye opening for the boys to find something right here in their back yard," Dave added.
This is the second horse tooth found here. Chris White, property owner, found the first fossilizing horse-tooth near the concentric rings last year. Evidence across America indicates the horse was here well before Columbus. The horse became extinct after the last Ice Age, some 9,000 years ago
"We have not date tested the teeth, but it looks and feels very old," Chris said.
Other artifacts excavated here over the past five years show this site was last use 10,470 years ago.
"The boys helped a great deal and earned their archaeology merit badge and Indian lore merit badge for helping us," said Chris who has been working to preserve the site, since he discovered it over five years ago.
"The boys had a great time and enjoyed seeing all the different parts of the property and understanding the uses," Dave added.

Congratulations Round Hill, Va
Boy Scout Troop 743

Triangle Formation with Stepping Stone. Photo by Michael Dowling (2014).

Related Stories:
Rock circles linked to ancient Indian Site
Shadows of Distance Past
Archaeologist Claims 12,000-Year Old Solstice Site in Clarke County

Swarming with Mayflies around Paleo-Indian Site

4/21/2015

Sanctuary on the Trail -- Turns out catching mayflies is equivalent to panning for gold and we are swarming with Mayflies at the Sanctuary this Spring.
Mayflies are very sensitive to pollution, and as such are usually only found at high quality, minimally polluted sites. Their presence in the Sanctuary aquatic ecosystem is a strong indicator of a very healthy creek and natural springs around the Paleo-Indian site.

Shenandoah University Mesoamerican Class Walks Paleo-Indian Site in Northern Virginia

3/27/2015

Sanctuary on the Trail™ -- Shenandoah University Professor Dr. Bryan Pearce-Gonzales and eight students from his Mesoamerican civilizations class studied the Paleo-Indian site here today. Some of the students called it a "once in a lifetime possibility" to visit such an old and historic site.
    “I am teaching a class this semester on Mesoamerican civilizations, primarily the Olmec, Maya and Mexica people and their cultures,” said Dr. Pearce-Gonzales SU Department of World Languages & Cultures. “Our approach to these Mesoamerican civilizations has begun with a look at the Paleoindian peoples who first came to the Americas.
    The historical/archaeological tour included the concentric rings, triangle with stacked rocks and discussion about artifacts and dating techniques.
    “I am so grateful to you and your husband for making this trip a possibility and for sharing such an incredible piece of human history with my class and the greater community,” said Dr. Pearce-Gonzales in an email to the site’s custodians.

Shenandoah University's World Languages & Cultures Department seeks to prepare students to be true Global Citizens. In addition to instruction in Spanish, French, German and English as a Second Language, they promote community service in the target language and study abroad opportunities around the world.
These small, interactive classes are led by professors like Dr. Pearce-Gonzales who combine cutting-edge scholarship with individualized attention to help students develop to their fullest potential.

Shenandoah University Mesoamerican civilizations class visiting the Paleo-Indian site at the Sanctuary on the Trail™ on March 27, 2015.

Chair, Department of World Languages and Cultures Shenandoah University

Dr. Bryan Pearce-Gonzales

Personal Highlights Taking SU students on a hike on the Appalachian Trail to visit native ruin sites, leading student groups on trips to Argentina and Panamá, and watching students build a Mayan-inspired pyramid/time capsule to be opened in 2018.

Northern Virginia Site Owners Seek Experts in Paleo-Indian Studies

2/7/2015

Sanctuary on the Trail™ - Site owners of the Paleo-Indian site in Northern Virginia are seeking experts knowledgeable in paleo-indian pre-history. The couple have results from a 5-year study that includes notes from the 2011 Archaeological Excavation, a final report ready for peer review and artifacts.
Jasper (below) discovered early in level B confirmed the presence of human usage at the site. Jasper does not occur in outcrops above the site; thus, it had to be carried into the site.
Jasper is assumed to be from the Front Royal area and related to the Paleoindian occupation of the Shenandoah River; however, it could have been retrieved from the Shenandoah River.

The jasper below, found during the excavation, amplifies the site’s Paleoindian association. It has a heavily redden area; also it has likens from lying under the ground for 12,000 years.

This jasper thumbnail scraper is a classic Paleoindian artifact; especially noted is the spur graver (above). The spur was examined microscopically (400x) and shows striations. Both faces have length-wise parallel flake scars. The spur was used, and the scraper end shows signs of being used.
The tool is unusually small and was found on the northeastern corner of the excavated square. It was heat treated.

The University of Washington conducted thermoluminescence (TL) dating that confirms the artifacts last use at 10,470 years before present.

Archaeologists and Hydrogeologist visit Paleo-Indian site at the Sanctuary on the Trail

1/22/2015

NORTHERN VIRGINIA - Three archaeologists from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) office and a hydrogeologist from Maryland visited the Paleo-Indian site here today.
     Tom Klatka, archaeologist from DHR’s community services division regional offices Western Regional Preservation Office (Roanoke College, Salem) provided sound advice and recommendations to site owners into the importance of preservation. Tom advocates for local communities and helps get their voices heard. He has 26 years’ experience as an archaeologist.
     DHR’s division of Preservation Incentives Easements Joanna Wilson Green, archaeologist and Michael Clem, archaeologist and easement program stewardship coordinator, helped confirm the rarity of finding jasper which is not indigenous to this portion of Northern Virginia.      DHR is the State Historic Preservation Office in Virginia responsible for fostering, encouraging and supporting the stewardship of Virginia's significant historic architectural, archaeological and cultural resources.
     Dennis Cumbie, CPG groundwater hydro-geologist, from Rockledge LLC., Sharpsburg Maryland, shed light on the natural occurrences of stone formations as they developed millions of years ago. He also suggested the site owners get opinions from quaternary geomorphology experts. Dennis is a senior level hydrogeologist with 18+ years experience in water supply investigation, ground- and surface-water monitoring, water quality and watershed management.
     Site owners Chris and René White gave the 4-member team a tour of key features to include the concentric rings, stacked rock linage, alter, triangle formation and day clock.

The highlight of our conversation for me was how these ancient findings impact humanity at large and how we find relevance in our current world view," said Chris White elder Sanctuary on the Trail™ the Native American Church of Virginia.

Pictured left to right are Rene' White & Chris White site owners, Dennis Cumbie hydrogeologist, Joanna Wilson Green archaeologist, Tom Klatka archaeologist and Michael Clem archaeologist.

Discussions included the possibility of conducting future soil samples and additional Thermoluminescence (TL) dating. The team shared numerous suggestions for further research and analysis to include consulting with specialists from Virginia Tech University, James Madison University and University of Georgia.
“We welcomed the team to observe and analyze our findings,” said Chris who discovered the above-ground Paleo-Indian site on his property in Northern Virginia. “The highlight of our conversation for me was how these ancient findings impact humanity at large and how we find relevance in our current world view.”

Native American Church of Virginia Available to Partner with State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy

10/16/2014

     A partnership between the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy and the Native American Church of Virginia seems like a natural fit, thanks to the Foundation of the State Arboretum (FOSA) Volunteer and Events Coordinator Koy Mislowsky.
     Koy invited a small group of Native American elders to Blandy for an initial meeting on Thursday Oct.16. Notes following the two and half hour meeting revealed new possibilities for increasing understanding of the natural environment through education and culture for all people.
     "What a wonderful gathering," Koy said describing the conversations. "I am sitting at my desk reviewing all that we spoke of and I am amazed at your knowledge and expertise. So happy we have found each other!"
     Koy initiated contact with Chris and Rene' White of the Native American Church of Virginia following a local Winchester Star article.
     While more talks and planning is needed,

initial impressions look positive for new ways to share Native American heritage while bringing all people, students, visitors and the community into one hoop at Blandy.
The Arboretum occupies 172 acres of Blandy Experimental Farm and contains over 5000 woody trees and shrubs from around the world.
Click here for FOSA membership information.

FOSA 30th Anniversary

This year is the 30th Anniversary for the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia (FOSA), the official fund-raising, membership, and gift receiving organization for the State Arboretum of Virginia and Blandy Experimental Farm.

FOSA is a 501(c)(3), University of Virginia (UVA) -related foundation. FOSA has about 700 member units and in 2013,100 active volunteers amassed nearly 4,800 volunteer hours by helping in the gardens, at events, and in our gift shop under the arch.
Partnering with the Native American Church of Virginia could mean increased education of Native American culture, lands and way of life.

Paleo-Indian Duo Featured Archaeology Speakers for Local Clermont Foundation Farm Day Event

10/11/2014

Paleo-Indian site guardians, Chris and René White with the Native American Church of Virginia, gave six hours of various presentations to close to 100 people during the Clermont Farm Day event Sat., Oct. 11.
     Hosted by the Clermont Foundation and Clarke County Parks and Recreation, a reported 200+ people braved the cold and wet weather to attend the one-day festival and to celebrate the county's rich farm cultural and historical heritage.
     With October being Virginia Archeology Month, Clermont Farm Foundation CEO Bob Stieg invited the couple to be the featured archaeology speakers.
     Chris and René showed hands on samples of artifacts, presented scientific data collected over five years of research and offered heritage t-shirts featuring local artist Abigail Beavin, while Native American flutist Alan Stanz, of the local Native American flute circle, performed.
     The Clermont Farm Foundation funds and manages Clermont Farm, a 360-acre research and training site in history, historic preservation, and agriculture, owned by the Department of Historic Resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Next Paleo Presentation
Tuesday, Oct. 14
7 -8 pm
Bears Den
Bluemont, Va.

Dennis Banks Co-Founder of the American Indian Movement Holds Sacred Ceremony at Paleo-Indian Site in Virginia

9/29/2014

Bluemont, VA – Dennis Banks, American Indian Movement (AIM) co-founder, held a sacred prayer pipe ceremony Saturday (Sept. 27) at the Paleo-Indian Site found in Bluemont VA after concluding AIM’s 2014 “Ride to Reverse Diabetes” in Washington D.C.
Dennis Banks, 78 years old, led the 18,000 mile run across America educating Americans about reversing diabetes. The “Ride to Reverse Diabetes” began on Aug. 23 from Seattle WA and San Francisco, Los Angeles & San Diego, Calif. and ended Saturday, Sept. 27 in Washington D.C. by the White House.
Following the conclusion of the “Ride to Reveres Diabetes” campaign, a small contingent visited the sacred ceremonial Paleo-Indian site in Northern Virginia. Paleo-Indian site guardians Chris (Comeswithclouds) White and René White (Feather) are custodians of the site which dates last used 10,470 years ago (see Thermoluminescence Dating)

Chris gave the AIM elders and young leaders a tour of the concentric rings, the sacred alter, standing stones and other features of advanced knowledge left behind thousands of years ago.
Following the tour, Banks led a sacred prayer pipe ceremony with the AIM group and Native American Church of Virginia to honor the sacred land and land legacy of this area’s ancestors.

     Attending the sacred ceremony were: Dennis Banks, his daughter Darla Banks, nephew Adrian Sayers, granddaughter Mariah Lindsay, Leonard Seabolt, Mark Winslow, Bryan Halfday, Helen Wolfe, Kenneth Reid, Maria Pasho, Curt and Sheila Hansen, Diana Mullis and site guardians Chris & René White.
     Banks gave thanks to the thousands of people who supported the campaign and blessed him and his team of champions with hospitality, gas cards, food, shelter and friendship at various routes across America during the month-long campaign. Around the sacred fire, Banks also compassionately shared real stories about people whom he met across America who feel “hopeless,” many in wheel chairs and with no feet or legs.
     Banks said he dedicates the rest of his life to help reduce the suffering from diabetes while he balances that with his dedication ad love to his family, especially his grandchildren (grandchildren Mariah (below), daughter Darla (right)).

“I have never seen anyone more authentic about saving lives and concerned for his family than Dennis Banks,” said René Lumbee Indian and president of the Native American Church of Virginia.
“While we are not members of AIM, like Dennis, we are called to help reduce the suffering in the world," she added. "We offered to help Dennis and he accepted. We don’t know all the next steps, but we know our steps will include praying and looking to non-profits, educators and others for help.”

Chris and René are involved in charitable work helping veterans, senior citizens, artists and many others. They are members of Oklevueha Native American Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and they are also officers with the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem for the United States and Priory of Indigenous Peoples Worldwide. Together they volunteer to connect people and resources, transforming suffering to healing.
Following the sacred prayer pipe ceremony, Chris and René hosted the 15-member group for feast and fellowship.

The couple operates the Native American Church at their Sanctuary on the Trail, in the remote Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain. Their church’s vision is to “help leaders first,” “acknowledge the Indigenous of the Americas for their global contributions,” and “reduce suffering in the world.”
Before leaving the D.C. area, Banks was scheduled to visit members of Congress and present them with a national diabetes policy. He decided to delay his meeting as he studies his research findings and develops a clear way ahead.

Commentary About the Diabetes Pandemic

      “I see a garden growing in the desert. What was once dry and desolate, will abound with health, vitality and spiritual renewal. I see this as an opportunity for Native Peoples to unite at a family level, community level, tribal level, national level and global level, to return to their roots in the use of earth-based plant medicines and natural foods to lead the world in natural healing, which includes and is not restricted to diabetes.
      I see an opportunity for Native people to take ownership of self-health, which is also a responsibility to your people and to support each other towards the goal of healthy living. Living by example is their responsibility to their loved ones and unborn children. People take care of themselves not just for themselves, but their relations.
     This is a wake-up call. A call to action, starting with yourself, your family, your community and your people. This is in the area of health, and only the start of total healing. Behold a new nation.”

– Chris (Comeswithclouds) White
Cherokee Descendent and Elder/Roadman
Oklevueha Native American Church of Virginia

The “Ride to Reverse Diabetes” is a cross-country motorcycle run to:

Canvas the roads across America and collect information on the affects of type 1 & 2 diabetes on indigenous people
Bring awareness of and conduct research into diabetes worldwide
Formulate a national policy that the U.S congress will enact and support
Convince the American public to join this war and halt and reverse this epidemic through forums, community actions, fitness programs and National events.

Thank You in Advance
Thank you in advance for your generous contribution. In contributing you are helping advance and partnering with the ideal. Your contribution makes it possible for us help others who are suffering, because we believe suffering in the world is impossible to ignore.

Contribute / donate

Special Thanks
Special shout out to David and Mary Ann Nalls of Nalls Farmers Market for donating 52 pounds of local Virginia grown apples for the AIM team to enjoy and share as they return home in all four directions.

PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly: On the Stonehenge-era Stone Circles Here

9/12/2014

Coming up this weekend (Sept. 12-14) on R&E: A Stonehenge-era stone circle discovered in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley may be the oldest such site found in North America and has great spiritual meaning for its discoverer. Watch the story now:

Video on the Spiritual and Historical Significance of the Paleo-Indian Site Here

9/9/2014

Bluemont, VA -- Chris (Comeswithclouds) White produced this video to “raise consciousness and public opinion of the indigenous.”
“These people had faith and believed in two laws,” he says in the video commentary speaking of Indigenous Peoples. “They lived in knowledge of a spiritual reality. The indigenous are a witness two walking in love and faith. Living a sustainable lifestyle for thousands of years.”
For more about the progress to preserve, protect and restore the Paleo-Indian site and the Native American Church of Virginia please visit www.SanctuaryontheTrail.org.

Native American Church of Virginia the Sanctuary on the Trail™
Our Vision     To Reduce Suffering in the World
Our Mission    Helping Leaders First
       and Acknowledge Indigenous Contributions to the World

Web Hosting by iPage Sanctuary on the Trail™ P.O. Box 123 Bluemont VA 20135 www.SanctuaryontheTrail.org
[email protected] www.HarvestGathering.org www.NativeFoodTrail.org www.NewTribeRising.org

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