The Gathering 2015 volunteers made 1,000 prayer ties for our military veterans serving in the four directions.
     Close to 200 veterans of all ages, who attended the grand entry on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, received prayer ties made the traditional way using Native American locally grown tobacco.
     Rather than burn these remaining prayers, which is a tradition (as the prayer ties go up in smoke towards the heavens/Father Sky, so do the prayers) these prayers are on their way to the Rotary Peace Conference being held in Californian next week. 
     Veterans and those who know a veteran attending the peace conference will physically receive prayers made here in Virginia. Supplies are provided for people in California to also make prayers for vets.
     "This Turtle Box will carry our east coast prayers to the west coast as we remember our veterans into this new year," said Rene' White retired Air Force Lt. Col and executive director for The Gathering 2015. "May all our veterans receive peace as they work to protect our freedoms around the globe,"
     The theme for the Calif. peace conference is, "Connecting Leaders and Conflict Resolution Experts with Solutions to Create a Culture of Peace."

     For schedules for upcoming gatherings check out www.HarvestGathering.org or The Gathering on facebook.

Honoring and remembering our fallen men and women veterans on Memorial Day 2015 during a Navajo way sweat lodge ceremony at the Sanctuary on the Trail a Native American Church of Virginia.

By Rene' Locklear White (Lumbee)
and Chris (Comeswithclouds) White

      Native American Church of Virginia -- The two-star Air Force general who resigned, saying he "inadvertently made an unfortunate comment" about Indians during an airman's disciplinary hearing was my vice commander during a two-year assignment in the Republic of Korea. What was the context of Maj. Gen. Michael Keltz's remark?
    "Noble Savage." What did the person who authored “noble savage” mean? Was he or she describing people who are “barbarous and uncivilized” or describing “the others” as a people who “symbolize humanity’s innate goodness?”
      Gen. Keltz's comment was clearly about Indians and drunkenness. Now, after serving 34 years in the military, he ends it with four words directed to more than 10,000 Indians.
     I am tired. I help people deal with alcohol abuse, especially Native American Indians from the rez (Indian reservation). In fact, I have spent this last week doing just that; removing stitches; making meals; teaching life skills; and checking to see if someone is still breathing. It is 2:00 a.m. right now, and my husband is praying with someone. I believe helping a person stop drinking is harder than my 22 years of military service.
     Years after trading alcohol with settlers, living in poverty, homeless and dealing with regular occurrences of suicide, our Indian people are now literally drinking themselves to death. Many drink  cleaning detergents and cough syrups because they can't afford to buy FDA approved alcohol. Our people are dying and need help.
     I am disappointed. The people who coined words like, "primitive,” “uncivilized,” and “savages,” had passion too. They made a difference. But, the impact of those words on our Native American ancestors continues to linger.
     Power, control, powerlessness, authority, influence, sovereignty, independence and freedom are all contained in language and have vibrations.
     Unfortunately, the vibrations of Gen. Keltz four words will be felt for some time. By him and others. I'm sure it was not his intention. He is a kind man.
     I challenge Gen. Keltz to visit an Indian reservation after his retirement. Please consider starting in South Dakota or my Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina or stop by our Native American Church in Virginia. There is plenty of Indigenous people who are suffering and need help. We can begin with a traditional sweat lodge ceremony for Gen. Keltz to help him through this unexpected transition.

     Language is a Barrier. We must work on our language. To be present to what people around us are saying and what they are not saying. It is vital to removing the barriers that separate us
     Likewise, we cannot skirt our responsibility for what we are saying. The tongue is a sharp part of the body. Like a forest fire set by a small spark, the tongue is also a fire. It can set the whole course of your life on fire. A fire can be destructive and a fire can be beneficial.
     Are we any better? Our communications are complicated by texting and simplified into capital letters because we don’t make time to talk to each other.  When people type LOL they aren’t really "laughing out loud." When people don’t want to take time to explain something they text TTYL, but they never really "talk to you later." When people say, “praying for you”, they aren’t really.
     What next? We must continue to ask ourselves, "Are my words destructive or beneficial?"
We should help others understand that we “mean what we say” and we “say what we mean.”
     Out of the mouth comes truth of an authentic or inauthentic heart.
     I forgive him. Gen. Keltz is an extraordinary commander. It takes courage to resign. It takes acknowledging truth. I believe where there is no truth, there is no justice.


Gen. Keltz, you can reach us at this EMAIL.

AIMS (Anger and Irritability Management Skills) online course is based on training that was developed specifically for Veterans and has been successfully used by Veterans and Service Members around the world. This course offers a wide range of practical skills and tools to manage your anger and develop self-control over your thoughts and actions.

There are eight modules, each containing videos, games and interactive exercises:

1. 1. Getting Started Managing Your Anger
2. 2. Understanding Your Anger
3. 3. Breaking the Aggression Cycle
4. 4. Behavioral Tools to Manage Your Anger

     Veterans Honorary High School Diplomas recognize the life experiences of honorably discharged veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, pursuant to § 22.1-17.4 of the Code of Virginia.
     Since the first honorary diplomas were issued in 2001, more than 2,000 have been awarded to veterans of the three wars.

     To obtain an honorary diploma, a veteran may submit a statement to the Virginia Department of Education describing his or her service and affirming that he or she was unable to complete high school upon return to civilian life.
     The guidelines also allow for the submission of information by family members and veterans' organizations. Please note, the Veterans Honorary High School Diploma honors veterans for their military service, and is not a designation of an individual completing Virginia graduation requirements.

Veterans Crisis Line
1 (800)273-8255 FREE (Press 1)
http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

• Veteran Resource Center — a trio of free and confidential online training courses created specifically to equip Servicemembers and Veterans with practical skills and tools they can use daily. These courses are ideal for individuals who want to learn skills at the time, place and pace of their choosing. These interactive courses feature real Veterans and military families who share their stories and offer lessons learned. The courses are:
• Moving Forward: teaches skills to overcome stressful problems such as difficulties transitioning from military to civilian life, balancing work/school and family, coping with physical injuries, and relationship issues.
• Parenting for Service Members & Veterans: offers parents ways to reconnect with their children and strengthen their family. It covers everyday parenting and family issues, as well as those unique to the military lifestyle.
• Anger & Irritability Management (AIMS): provides practical tools to better understand anger “triggers,” and to keep control of your reactions during difficult situations. It also teaches communication skills to help you get along better with people.
• AboutFace — provides a way to learn about PTSD from Veterans who live with it. Veterans share their stories about the challenges they have faced and how treatment has helped them turn their lives around. Also hear from family members who explain how their lives were improved once their loved-one sought treatment.
• Coaching into Care — offers telephone-based support and coaching for family members who would like to help their Servicemember or Veteran get mental health care treatment. This confidential service can also help military family members learn new ways to talk with their loved-one about the difficulties they face and why treatment can help.

These are just some of the VA resources available to help Servicemembers and Veterans start and improve the next chapter of their lives. Many other important resources — such as Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 FREE) and Make the Connection — can be found at mentalhealth.va.gov and ptsd.va.gov.