Riverside, Calif. – A gourd donated by Native American Church of Virginia artist René White (Feather) fetched $200 for charity during a gala in California held to help reduce suffering in the world. Designer Fedor Regovets bid and purchased the gourd.
     "He gave it to me as I had admired it and truly wanted this marvelous piece of art," said United States Secretary General Dame Dr. Karen Cantrell with the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. (photo right)
     The event, held Sept. 13 by the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem (HOSLJ) is an annual event held following a investiture ceremony.
     The United States Grand Priory is the first Order of any kind in the world to establish a Commandery of Indigenous Peoples with tribal outreach and support of many of the causes important to the growth and improvement of its people.
     Gourd artist René, is President of the Native American Church of Virginia and holds the position of Marshal for the Commandery of Virginia HOSLJ under the Grand Priory of the United States and Priory of Indigenous People Worldwide.
     Attending the benefit gala were doctors and celebrity guests from across the United States.

     Princess Karen Cantrell, Goodwill Ambassador officiated the auction that raised hundreds of dollars to help those in need and those who help others.

by Chris (Comeswithclouds) White

Native American Church of Virginia -- This medicine drum was inspired by a Plains Indian Medicine Man at the turn of the 19th century. The Native peoples from Mexico, throughout the United States and into Canada suddenly deprived of their way of life, via the near extinction of the buffalo, and their ideology, spirituality, traditions, and ceremonies, by which their culture had been sustained for thousands of years, was violently and abruptly halted.
      A "NewWay," to the realization of identity with life & being, and in all that passes in the course of time, was divinely given as medicine, to heal the spirit in the form of a desert cactus; most reverently harvested by the Huichol Tribesman who know it as Hikuri-the plant of eternal life.
     The drum in ceremony represents familiar sound, a connection to what is real, when the illusions or perceptions of life are challenged. A person/people can forget who they are. The drum helps one remember the rhythm of the heartbeat. The rhythm of their people. The rhythm and frequency of nature/creation, which the Creator set as an ordinance, a baseline of truth for rebuilding, after all has been lost.
     This medicine drum is key in ceremony to recover knowledge from within (self) and the spiritual ground of the Native Way of life.
     All creation has a heartbeat or rhythm, which Creator has set as an ordinance that gives life its rhythm, its frequency. When that rhythm resonates within self, one who is lost can follow the rhythm home.

“Native Medicine Drum”
by Chris (Comeswithclouds) White
CEO Native American Church of Virginia
18” x 10” x 9” 

Medium: Hollow cherry log, deer skin, locus wood, leather and natural braided rope details.

Exhibitions.  This piece was exhibited by the Artist at the Art at the Mill Art Show in 2014 in Millwood Virginia.

BLUEMONT, VA -- Children’s Art Needed for the local 45th Annual Bluemont Fair Sept. 20-21!  The Children's Art Show theme is “Bald Eagles of Bluemont.” You do not have to be from Bluemont to enter.

Age Range:                  Preschool – 8th grade

Media:                          Pastels, Watercolors, Colored Pens or Pencils, Construction Paper

Paper Size:                   Size:  11” x 14”

Quantity:                      One per student ~ print your name on the bottom right-hand corner of your art

The children’s artwork will be proudly displayed on the first floor of the Bluemont Community Center.  Artwork will be accepted now until September 19th 2014.  All art should represent this year’s theme.  Please send the artwork to:

Bluemont Fair Children’s Art
P.O. Box 217
Bluemont, VA 20135
Attn:  Amanda Dukinfield

Please note:  Artwork to be picked up on Sunday, Sept. 21st after the fair between 4 – 6 pm.  Please visit the fair site at www.BluemontFair.org for updates.  If unable to pick up artwork, please provide a prepaid, self-addressed envelope or mailer.

Berryville VA - Face painting is a unique fine-art ministry that can lead to amazing miracles.

Heart of a Pastor and his Flock
     “Desmond Herbert a young man in his 20's attended the National Night Out, to raise money to buy a pace-maker for his Pastor Bill Swope, (who preaches at the Wesleyan Chapel in Berkeley Springs, WV),” explained René White (Feather) who volunteered with the Native American Church of Virginia to do Art in Nature™ face art during the local National Night Out event Aug. 5.
     "Desmond was the most amazing person whose face I painted." she added. "I am never surprised who Creator God sits down next to me to face paint or who sets their table up next to mine in the park."

Hearts of Women for Women
     The Laurel Center team who set up a table across from René are now partners with the Native American Church of Virginia, thanks to their meeting during the National Night Out event.
     Leslie Hardesty sexual assault program coordinator and Melanie Bounds domestic program coordinator shared with passion how no one should live with violence nor the fear of violence. They empower victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing emergency housing, advocacy, support services, and education. (Facebook)

Heart for Our Neighbors
     “We believe a Mighty Hand helps orchestrate possibilities for us all,” René said. “We are excited about this new opportunity to help Desmond raise money for his pastor’s heart and help their hearts of women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence.”
     "I believe Great Spirit leads people into our lives and us into their lives for a purpose,” added René.  “We love our neighbors. And this is one small way of doing something about it.”

Heart for the Native Way
     As it began to rain and everyone left the park, then walked over Tracey Pitcock and her daughter Tiffany and son.
     Tracey has experience running Pow Wows and Tiffany is a Native dancer. Their whole family have Spirit names. They are of Cherokee.
   "We were the last ones to leave the park. We are connected in an amazing and providential way that cannot be explained on a computer," René said. "As we stood in the rain and looked at the clouds, I knew this is the beginning of a beautiful new friendship. I'm glad I listened to "The Call" to volunteer."

About National Night Out
      National Night Out is a community awareness-raising event held across the nation on the first Tuesday of August to support the local police, fire and rescue first responders.
      Local police and fire departments invited families to Rose Hill Park to celebrate the nation-wide event and meet & greet our emergency responders. The event featured free food, activities and information about community services.  
     Representatives from the local fire and rescue and state and county police showed equipment and shared safety tips. Representatives from the local health department, social services and animal shelter also participated.

Special thank you to Sue Peoples for helping the Native American Church of Virginia during the National Night Out. Her relentless friendship
and gift of joy are priceless.

Bluemont VA - Photos, taken by our neighbors of the Sanctuary on the Trail™ here, are featured in the August 1 article titled, "Photos of Photos Being Taken: A Fascinating Meta Look at the Photographic Process" by Gannon Burgett with PetaPixel.com.
     Our neighbors and dear friends Warren and June Krupsaw often use our church property as a canvas for their camera lens. This feature, highlights ice and the creek during the winter here.
      The 9th set of photographs in the article show a photo June snapped of Warren hovering over our creek last winter. The next photo shows the ice formation Warren was photographing.
     As Warren appreciates photographing nature, June appreciates photographing Warren. They make an incredible duo and more incredible friends and supporters of our efforts with the Native American Church of Virginia.
     For more Ice Photography of the Sanctuary on the Trail, see "Ice is Nice – A Showcase" by Warren Krupsaw,

Face Paining - From ancient times, it has been used for hunting, religious reasons, and military reasons (such as camouflage and to indicate membership in a military unit). Recent archaeological research shows that it is a reasonable assumption that humanity has painted faces and bodies since the very beginning.

Source:  Wikipedia

Art Shows at Historic Mills & Buildings
    While shows like this take place across the nation, few take advantage of them. This year, for the first time members of the Native American Church of Virginia participated in the non-profit Burwell-Morgan Mill "Art at the Mill" exhibit held May-June, and encourages others to next year.
     Chris (Comeswithclouds) White church CEO and  René White (Feather) church president both participated in the show targeting historical preservation and art education. Chris submitted a traditional Native American drum and natural stone relief. René submitted several dried gourd designs including this fish set.
     A portion of the sales goes to preserve the historical mill and to an annual scholarship given to a Clarke County student majoring in the arts.
    "428 pieces of art in this show sold," said Laura Christiansen, CCHA Director.
     Each year, the Burwell-Morgan Mill in the quaint village of Millwood, Virginia, becomes an extraordinary art gallery. Art at the Mill has become one of the premier art shows in the mid-Atlantic region, attracting artists and buyers from more than a dozen states.
      In a letter, speaking to René, Chris and the other artists who participated, Laura said, "Congratulations and thank you very much for your participation, excellent work, and support of the Art at the Mill. We owe our success to you!"
     Those interested in participating next year, entries for the 2015 are mailed in January and downloadable from the Art at the Mill web site.

Art Internships & Grants Available Now
     René said she benefited from an art internship in college and recommends high school and college under-grad and graduate students check out these resources for internships and grants:

• National Gallery of Art
  
• Internship Match
• Federal Government
• National Endowment for the Humanities
• Archaeology, Classics, and History of Art

     For an entire summer 30 years ago, René earned an art internship through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She stippled fish and other marine life for aquarium exhibits at the Maritime Museum in Beaufort, N.C.
     Stippling is dotting and creates a pattern using varying degrees of solid or shaped dots. Stippling is also a natural pattern found on Virginia’s fresh water rainbow trout, along with it natural scales, array of colors and rosy band.

About these Fish Gourds.
     These are naturally dried gourds, burned, carved then enhanced using water-based inks: pine-tree green, chartreuse, apple, turquoise, pink and blazing blue; heat set and sprayed using gallery conservation varnish; and accented with fishing line and buzzard feathers.
     These are most likely siphon or bottle neck gourds. However, to René they can only be fish gourds.
     "From the moment I laid eyes on this particular gourd shape, now all I can see is fish," she said."I am not a fisherman, but I just love watching them and their colors, shapes and textures."
     The other two gourd fish on this string represent food, she said. Trout feed on aquatic and terrestrial life. One gourd contains a lady bug, bee, moth and butterfly, but the other gourd contains words.
     "We, like the trout, feed on aquatic and terrestrial life as human food. Yet, 'The Word' sustains our souls," she added.
      Closeup photos show the words carved and burned into the gourd.

Like the Fish, We are all Related.
    Chris, her husband gave René the title, “Fish of a kind school with one mind” for this set of fish gourds. It is similar to “Birds of a feather flock together.”
     When you see a school of fish, they will turn immediately with ever threat," Chris said. "Flocks of birds do it too. What is it? Instinct? Inner knowing? Trusting your gut?"
     "As fish and birds are similar, we are similar," Chris said. "Some think, 'we are all different.' Some think, 'no one thinks like I do,' that, 'someone has to be right, and you must be wrong.' But, we are all related."
     We have much to learn from each other and the animal kingdom; as nature intended.
     As you walk, fly or swim, may you always be in balance with self and others. As you flow in life, may you flow with a sense of purpose that cannot be thwarted by external negative forces. And as you are, my you always be reminded to listen to the words of the still voice within you.

Tax Deductible.
Proceeds for purchasing Chris and René's art are tax deductible and helps fund Art in Nature ® classes René  teaches at her non-profit, faith-based church and helps preserve and protect a sacred Paleo-Indian grounds they found on their property.

Bluemont, VA – Native American amateur photographer René White (Feather) is seeking votes for her Eastern Box Turtle photo to help draw attention to Indigenous Peoples’ contributions and Native American heritage. It is part of a nationwide search for the best photos featuring close-up shots of the details that make up the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). The photo contest, “Zoom in to the Appalachian Trail” runs June 4 – July 13 and is sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC),  
Why a Turtle?
     René said she picked a turtle photo to feature the A.T. because the turtle is one of the oldest symbols for the Earth in Native American teachings and has significant relevance to Native American heritage. René is 100% Native American from the Lumbee Tribe and president of the Native American Church of Virginia located at the Sanctuary on the Trail™. Her church is bringing recognition to the Native People of the Americas for their contributions past, present and future. 
The Turtle and Indigenous Culture
     By participating in the contest René hopes to draw attention to Indigenous People and “Mother Earth.” She said when her art students ask her, “Why do Indians say Mother Earth?” she explains how the turtle personifies “Mother Earth,” from which we all originated.
     “It’s a common spiritual concept that I think simply gets lost in language and in a sea of opinion. Biblical prophets wrote that we were born from dirt and when we die we return to dust,” René explained. “The turtle, like everything and everyone has a beautiful story with much to teach us.”
"It is not about me winning," she said.
     About the competition, René said it is not about her winning, it is about each person’s free choice to vote and say something with their vote.
Why Vote?
     “If a person votes for my photo, to me they could be saying, ‘I honor Mother Earth. I am mindful of the four directions and the seasons. I am mindful of giving back to the Earth as she has given to us,” René said. “Or they could just vote because they love turtles,” she laughed. “All I know is I feel Creator God leading me to create something good by telling stories, taking pictures and helping people.”
Much to Learn from Turtles
     René said she has learned a lot from watching and studying turtles and nature.
     “Like the turtle that buries its eggs, I use to burry my thoughts and my talents,” she said. “Spending more time in the sun and away from the military has helped me hatch new ideas and bring them to light. Maybe the turtle chose me? We have much to learn from animals. Seeing the turtle helps me reconnect. I want to walk relaxed and firmly with the power stance of the turtle.”
About the Photograher
     René is a retired military veteran and member of her local VFW. She is an avid volunteer in her community helping veterans, artists and senior citizens. During all seasons and climates, René has taken hundreds of photos of her outdoor sanctuary for Native American Church of Virginia Facebook albums. Last year, Cherokee English-Dictionary Author Brian Wilkes published six of René’s photos in his book, “Escape From The Darkroom!: Old-School Principles Applied to Modern Digital Photography.”
    

More About the Photographer and Her Husband
     One of her favorite projects is teaching Art in Nature™ outdoor classes by combining art, Native American heritage and spirituality. She enjoys enhancing dried gourds when she has time and is Vice President of the Virginia Lovers’ Gourd Society.
     She enjoys storytelling and recently published a story in the local Middleburg Eccentric about how her husband helps animals. Her husband Confrere Chris (Comeswithclouds) White is the Commander of the Commandery of Virginia with the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, a non-profit non-government organization (NGO).
     René and her husband have spent five years preserving, protecting and restoring a Paleo-Indian which runs between the A.T. at Shenandoah River and the famous Bears Den rock formation.
What will you do if you win?
     If she wins, René plans to help tell a more complete story of Indigenous People at www.SanctuaryonthTrail.org past, present and future. Her last job in the military was spokesperson for the Secretary of Defense.

About the Contest. 
     The ATC photo contest asks participants to recognize that the A.T. is not only a footpath, but is also home to a vast array of wildlife and vegetation, scenery, unique people and special Trail communities. Contestants submit a photograph of a favorite feature along the Trail. Photos may include people, places, scenery or more.
     The top three photographers will each win a one-year membership to the ATC and will be featured in A.T. Journeys, the official magazine of the ATC. The grand prize winner will also win a custom ATC-themed hammock, courtesy of ENO™.
     Photo submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, June 3, and can be uploaded via the ATC’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ATHike. The public will then vote for their favorite photos through Sunday, July 13. Winners will be announced the week of July 14.

About the Native American Church of Virginia. Click Here.