Ineffable! Close to 5,000 people attended this first Native American Harvest Dance and Gourd Festival held at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville, Virginia. Online gallery of photos available at www.HarvestGathering.org.

Native American Church of Virginia -- George Mason University selected Native American Church President Rene' White (Feather) as a guest speaker for the 2015 Politics of Gender and Justice conference.
     Rene's speech is titled "Methods of Transformation to Politics of Gender & Justice: Transforming Race Relations Starting with Language." Her presentation is part of a conference of other speakers that beings at 10:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 24 at GMU. The event is free and open to the public.

"Methods of Transformation to Politics of Gender & Justice: Transforming Race Relations Starting with Language"
1:50PM-2:50PM – SESSIONS III
Session J:
Linguistics and Lyrics - Paper Presentations Room 1202

5:00PM – 7:00PM: Mix & Mingle / Happy Hour at The Greene Turtle (3950 University Dr #209, Fairfax, VA 22030)

Conference Information
Free Registration
Conference Website
[email protected]
703-993-2896
Friday, April 24, 2015 9:00AM
Check-In/Registration
10:00AM-5:00PM
Workshops & Presentations
Merten Hall, George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Abstract Submitted to GMU
By Rene' White (Feather)

     Language can bridge the fundamental gap in our society. For instance, words like “Primitive.”  “Uncivilized.”  “Savages.”  The people who created those words had passion. They made a difference.  But, the impact of those words on our Native American ancestors continues to linger in our history books, under headings of old photographs and in spoken words as we describe Native Americans today.
     I would like to share my personal story of being a female Native American and living through assimilation, discrimination and serving to protect our U.S. Constitution as an Air Force officer. I am proud to give a voice to our true Native Americans’ histories.
     I would also like to encourage unearthing the passion within us all to help bridge the divides that separate us.  Let us look at how we are alike rather than different. Together, I believe we can find unity as a new tribe of people with passion to make a difference. Unity gives us the strength to solve diverse problems and make a positive difference. Let us not allow cultural diversity to ever threaten our unity.  It is about loving thy neighbor as thy self.  It is about being peacemakers. It is about making a difference.
     The only barriers that exist are in language.

Session J
Linguistics and Lyrics - Paper Presentations
Room 1202

Moderator: Katrina Kinsolving

“We'll never be royals”: The Popularity of Working-Class Trope in Lorde's Music Presenter: Cassie Clark, George Washington University

Looking for the Crest of a New Wave Presenter: Mike Moratto, Alumnas, George Mason University

Methods of Transformation to Politics of Gender & Justice: Transforming Race Relations Starting with Language Presenter: Rene White (Feather), The Sanctuary on the Trail™

    Our Native American Church President René White is a certified non-profit VICAP Counselor for the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging. VICAP is the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, the official state program designed to provide individual and confidential assistance free of charge.
     René founded and organized a free Medicare Café held monthly at the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9760 in Berryville, Va. in partnership with VICAP.
     "Thanks to VICAP, the VFW and a host of volunteers, we have literally "saved the farm," said René describing the thousands of dollars that has been saved through the initiative.
      The Medicare Café is a unique Medicare Café that offers local residents help in saving money and understanding their personal Medicare benefits. Free individual counseling blocks are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

    “We are proud to offer this free service to our residents at the VFW,” said Marty Sheller VICAP specialist. “This is the only Medicare Café of its kind that we know of and is made possible because of volunteers. It’s an idea by our newest trained VICAP volunteer counselor René White. René is a military veteran, President of the Native American Church of Virginia, Clarke County resident and member of the Berryville VFW Post 9760.”