Ways of Knowing: Indigenous Connections to Landscape and Place in Central Appalachia
2024 Appalachian Forest Grant Awards
West Virginia’s four National Heritage Areas featured in West Virginia Executive magazine
Did you know there are four National Heritage Areas in West Virginia? We are collaborating with Wheeling National Heritage Area, National Coal Heritage Area, and Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area to raise awareness about our organizations and how NHAs support our communities. This will include an upcoming video project, and an article and advertisement in the summer edition of West Virginia Executive Magazine, which is out now! Our article is on pages 33-34 and our ad is on page 82.
Indigenous Voices: Cherokee Artisan Showcase
Indigenous Voices Storyteller Showcase
2024 Tourism Summit
Indigenous Voices in Appalachia: Dance Showcase
Our Indigenous Voices in Appalachia program continues with a Dance Showcase on June 29 featuring artist demonstrations and vendor tables, and a performance by Hoops of Hope & Resilience and Dave Locklear.
Schedule:
Exhibit and vendor tables open 9:30-4:30pm at the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center (101 Railroad Ave, Elkins)
Demonstrations
10:30 am - Haudenosaunee Dance, Drumming, and Singing: Dave Locklear & Jocelyn Jones
1:00pm - Rachel Schindler: Dreamcatchers
2:30 pm - Haudenosaunee Dance, Drumming, and Singing: Dave Locklear & Jocelyn Jones
5:30 - Performance at the Arts Center (2 Park St, Elkins) by Hoops of Hope & Resilience and Dave Locklear
“The Hoops of Hope and Resilience are a family group of hoop dancers from Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation. The Seneca people are known as "The keepers of the Western Door." Founding members include Darice Sampson, Cece Young, Rachel Schindler, and Cassius Alvarado-Sampson! Spanning three generations, they create their own regalia, incorporating beadwork into the sewing of each custom design. This event features a special mother-daughter debut, Jocelyn Jones and Wiyöhs Printup. We will be performing multiple styles of native dances for you.”
David T. Locklear, Tuscarora, is from Prospect, North Carolina. He is a singer, songwriter, drummer, dancer, and beadworker who has toured internationally to perform traditional Haudenosaunee music. He loves to sing in churches, longhouses, and social dances.
Join us summer and fall 2024 for more Native exhibits and programs across AFNHA, including August 16-17th and November 9th. Watch our website www.afnha.org or sign up for our newsletter for more info, or contact us at afnha@afnha.org or 304-636-6182! This program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.
AFNHA to Hold Stakeholder Meeting in Buckhannon
Tuesday June 18, 2024
Colonial Arts Center
48 E. Main Street Buckhannon, WV 26201
Downtown parking info
Join us for our Annual Stakeholder meeting to learn how AFNHA can support you, and network with partners across the AFNHA.
Tentative Agenda:
9:30 am to 10:00 am - Registration open -
10:00 am to 11:00 -
Introduction and Welcome
About AFNHA Programs
What are National Heritage Areas?
Membership Meeting
11:15 - 12:15 - Themed Breakout Discussions
Conservation/Outdoor Recreation
Heritage/Community Development
12:15-12:30 - Break
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch (buffet by Aladdin Food Management Services)
1:30 Breakout discussion reports -
1:45 - Upshur County Projects and Partners Panel -
Create Buckhannon
Upshur County Trails
Buckhannon River Watershed Association
West Virginia Division of Forestry
2:45 Closing remarks
Discover Upshur County before or after the event (See curated list)
Indigenous Voices in Appalachia program celebration
Our newest interpretive program will kick off with the opening of our new rotating exhibit “Creating Home: Indigenous Roots and Connections in the Appalachian Forest”. The exhibit will be open to the public May through October at the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center. We will celebrate with a Seneca Artisan Showcase on May 18.
