IS THERE ANY HELP FOR SAM?

Is There Any Help for Sam?

(by Indian Jo Phillips) 

The day fast approaches,

When Sam will bid us adieu,

The village isn't complete,

What can we do?

We seek help for our "physically challenged" Friend,

A "Volunteer Week" has been planned.

Would you please attend?

Give us a call,

Become part of the gang,

And let's send Sam off with a Great Big Bang!

WHERE: Wolf Creek Indian Village

WHEN: AUGUST 3rd - AUGUST 6th 10 AM - 5PM
PARTICULARS: Need good, strong, able bodied people to help Sam finish as much as possible in reconstructing what can be finished before Sam's leaves us for his teaching job. He plans on returning next summer to help us on the Gate houses. 

Bring extra tools if you have them, (we only have one set) hammers, saws, sawhorses, drills etc.

Bring a lunch daily. 

A Thank You SAM party is planned at 4 PM SATURDAY AUGUST 6th in the village. It is pot luck, bring a covered dish or meat to cook on an open fire. Eating utensils will be provided.

If you are not strong enough or able to volunteer please come by Saturday and thank Sam for all his hard work in getting the village to come back to life!!


FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL Volunteer Coordinator "Indian Jo" at 276-688-3438 Monday-Saturday 9 am - 4 pm. 

Green Corn Festival Canceled for 2011, Resume for 2012

News Release January 16, 2011


Annual Green Corn Festival in Bland, VA Canceled for 2011, Resumed for 2012

Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum in Bastian, Virginia has decided to cancel the All Nations Green Corn Festival for 2011 in order to focus on village reconstruction and museum improvements. Sam Wright, General Manager of WCIV states, “ We are focusing all our resources on the rebuild of the replica of the 500 year old Indian village that once existed here. We are also working to obtain funding to enhance the trails, and increase parking. Our plans are to resume the festival for 2012.”
Denise Smith, Museum Programs Coordinator, stated, “I think this is a good move to postpone the festival to next year, so we can focus on rebuilding the entire village. Our thoughts for the future are to rebuild the village and get more parking here so we can hold events such as the All Nations Green Corn Festival at the sight of a recreated 500 year old First Nation's village. It would be an awesome development to have American Indians dancing with drums here at the village for the Green Corn Festival. It is their history.”


There are several festival events scheduled in the region for 2011 that the Green Corn Dancers, and vendors may be found attending. A representative of Wolf Creek Indian Village will attend the Strong Sun Powwow July 8-10, 2011 in Winston-Salem, N.C. and Drums of Painted Mountain Powwow September 16-18, 2011 at Southwest Virginia Community College in Cedar Bluff, VA. Information links will be posted at http://www.indianvillage.org/.


In addition to the village reconstruction, museum staff are busy developing new exhibits in the museum and also programs to benefit the local community. An exhibit for the 150th Sesquicentennial of Bland County will focus on Native Americans and their part in the Civil War.

April 2nd 2011, is our opening for the season. We have a Blessing Ceremony and an open house for the museum plus a 5k run in the works.


“Selu's Garden” is a new program to benefit the local community that will donate excess produce from the gardens at Wolf Creek to the Bland Ministry Center's food program. “We use non-hybrid seed just as the First people did and this produce, if you want to save the seed, you can and grow it again next year. There will be instructions with the produce on how to do that for those that receive it. Even if you don't plant a garden you can grow produce in a pot.” explains Denise Smith. The museum is also looking to develop after school programs in the future for the community.

Renewed Investigations of the Brown-Johnston Site



Nick Asbury BOS and Boy Scouts

 We have been digging for clues and even had a Bland County Board of Supervisor's member help us out.
Pictures by Goldie Kiser. Story Dan Kegley and Denise Smith  For additional photos see our Facebook page- Wolf Creek Staff- or Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum

Members of the Archeological Society of Virginia’s chapters in the southwestern portion of the state renewed investigations at the Brown Johnston Site at Bastian Nov. 6 and 13. The site, occupied around 1500, is popularly known by its re-creation at the Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum.
Their project examined topsoil, or back dirt, removed by heavy machinery from the late Woodland period village site and deposited in a long, low pile nearby in the full site excavation more than 41 year ago.


November 13th Group photo

 The back dirt was never formally examined for artifacts it may have contained when late archaeologist Col. Howard MacCord excavated the Brown Johnston Site in 1970. Instead, MacCord focused on locating and excavating important archaeological features beneath the topsoil. Such features reveal the locations of dwellings, burials, storage pits, hearths and the palisade that surrounded the village.

Construction of Interstate 77 in 1970 required the relocation of Wolf Creek to allow construction of the Bastian interchange. Before the creek’s realignment destroyed the prehistoric village site, construction paused as MacCord worked to retrieve as much data from the site as possible to construct a picture of life in the village.
The relatively small number of artifacts recovered from the site and other indicators led MacCord to conclude the site was occupied for only four to five years.

Dan Kegley of ASV examining pottery sherds

The research goal of this project was to sample the back dirt to examine it for the presence of artifacts like stone tools, projectile points/knives, and pot shards whose number in the topsoil would either support or challenge MacCord’s interpretation.
With the help of Boy Scouts and Bland County high school history students, and under the professional supervision of Tom Klatka, archaeologist with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the ASV members used quarter-inch mesh screen boxes to sift the back dirt.

Boy Scout's participating were Troop 12 Bland County; Pack 460 Pembroke, VA; Troop 1 Princeton, WV; Troop 264 Pembroke, VA and Troop 1335 Oak Hill, WV


November 6th Group Photo with Message for Sandra Bowling

 "The Archaeology Merit Badge for Boy Scouts is usually taught with a "mock dig". Our scouts were able to participate in an actual dig supervised by experts who were very willing to share their expertise with them." Goldie Kiser BSA Mountain Dominion District Advancement Co-Chairman

"After shoveling and sifting dirt all day on the first Saturday, we actually had several boys show up to do it all over again on the second day! The boys were fascinated by the sifting process, the layers of earth, and the rocks they found." Scoutmaster Randy Kiser Troop 12 Bland County. The Group also showed their appreciation for Ms. Sandra Bowling, a beloved history teacher in Bland County in a rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta.



Chief Peery "Grey Wolf" Wilson & Tom Klatke

 Chief Peery "Grey Wolf" Wilson also visited the site and spoke with Tom Klatke of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on the importance of the Wolf Creek site to the history of his people.

Chief Grey Wolf and Boy Scouts

He spoke to the Boy Scout Troop members and had his picture taken in the new meeting lodge before the day's work November 13th.
 

Sampling from two excavation units in the back dirt pile recovered one projectile point, two small pot shards, and a small number of chert and chalcedony flakes left from the manufacture of stone implements.
While the sampled soil is a small percentage of the soil removed from the site, the low number of artifacts found in about 10 hours of screening supports MacCord’s interpretation, said Dan Kegley, ASV president-elect and president of the Abingdon-based Wolf Hills Chapter of the ASV.

Their work may add to MacCord’s interpretation. Kegley said geologist Dr. Charles Bartlett, a founding member of the Wolf Hills Chapter who worked at the site Nov. 13, noted the site is underlain by Devonian shale that weathers into poor quality soil lacking nutrients to support sustained agriculture. By the late Woodland period, prehistoric people like those on the Wolf Creek relied on crops to supplement hunting and crops failure after two or three years might explain the short occupation of the site.

Museum Director Denise Smith said an interpretive garden grown today in the village struggles in the poor soil as a demonstration of prehistoric agriculture. Perhaps its portrayal is in fact accurate for the site.

Smith told Kegley and his chapter members about the unscreened topsoil in April that was brought to her attention a year ago by an excavation participant, and Kegley began the preliminary work of securing professional oversight and the endorsement of the ASV board.

“It was such an honor to follow Howard, even these decades later, on a site and to work at enhancing the understanding of the site that he left us in his journal and his published paper,” Kegley said. “Howard died two years ago. He played a large role in eastern U.S. archeology, particularly in Virginia.”

After photographing the artifacts and writing a paper on the project for the ASV’s Quarterly Bulletin, Kegley will return them to the museum for curation.
Smith plans to open the topsoil sampling work to visitors to the village who would work under supervision.

Contributed photos by Goldie Kiser

All Nations Green Corn Festival & Pow Wow

The staff at Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum are very excited about the All Nations Green Corn Festival and Pow Wow July 16-18, 2010 at the Bland County Virginia Fairgrounds, 123 Fairground Road, Bland, VA 24315.

This is the Bland County American Indian Heritage Weekend. This years festival is promising to be an excellent event!!  The line up of entertainment is top notch. Our community is coming together to support this event and it just feels great this year. (You know when you plan an event, sometimes you just are not sure whether it will work? Well this year it is just wonderful, we feel it in the air that this is going to be a spectacular event.)

This is the 3rd annual All Nations Green Corn Festival & Pow Wow.  It was very special that the drums sounded the first year in the valleys of Bland County, probably for the first time in more than 200 years. Every year it gets better. We hope many who missed it last year will be able to attend! This year, if there is rain, the county has finished the Pavilion at the fairgrounds and we can move the activities inside of the Pavilion.

We decided to update the blog first. It doesn't require a special program! Website will be updated in a day or so. Here are the performers scheduled to appear:

Arvel Bird - "Lord of the Strings"

Fans worldwide call legendary violinist Arvel Bird, “Lord of the Strings” for his powerful talent and artistic passion that draws audiences to his unique fiddling style. Classically trained, Bird calls on his Native American and Celtic heritage to create a repertoire that ranges from classical, new age, Celtic, and folk, to jazz, blues and fusion.
Award-winning violinist, flutist and storyteller, Bird’s charismatic performances extend beyond his flawless music. An expressive storyteller, he weaves stories of Native American spirituality with haunting melodies to give vision to his music. He speaks of Native American wisdom, the sacredness of Mother Earth, the environment and the sacred totems of the animals with whom we share this planet. Bird’s messages resonate with today’s audiences often feeling overwhelmed by today’s hectic, fast-paced world.
Bird’s energetic and alluring stage presence and blend of classical and foot-stomping fiddling are what make him one of the most sought-after Native American musicians on tour today. With 25 CDs and 2 DVDs under his belt, Native American Artist of the Year Arvel Bird released his latest album in January, 2010, Ride, Indian, Ride.

His breakthrough album, Ride, Indian, Ride combines a hard-hitting, raw blues/jazz sound with the Native American/Celtic rhythms that have made Arvel Bird’s music so popular worldwide."  We are sure Arvel will have copies for sale at the Festival but if you would like to purchase a copy on line visit Arvel Bird's Website

Bird Chopper Bird

Host Drum - The home of Bird Chopper is Qualla Boundary. It’s better know as the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina. Previously called Blue Earth (1975-1996) the drum was renamed in honor of Ric Bird’s grandfather, Bird Chopper Bird. Until the loss of Nan in 2004, there were four generation of singers. Today, two families have three generations who continue the traditions of both drum and dance. Bird Chopper sings Northern and Southern and they also have their own Cherokee songs. They were the first drum to introduce the Cherokee Flag Song to the Pow Wow circle. Ric Bird - lead singer for Bird Chopper, is known professionally as “Ric Youngblood” “Cherokee Warrior” – professional Wrestler (1978-2005 (Retired) Ric held 4 World Titles during his wrestling career. Along with Ric, all of their singers are champion dancers – Fancy; Grass; Straight; Traditional; Hoop.

Dry Creek Medicine

Dry Creek Medicine Drum – Native American Drumming and Dance Performance Group.

Dry Creek Medicine is a Southern Style Native American Drum Group. Three of their members are enrolled members of the Edisto Tribe of the Natchez-Kusso Indians from Ridgeville, South Carolina. One member is Cherokee, and one member is Creek-Cherokee.

Ramona Moore Big Eagle

Storyteller

Ramona Moore Big Eagle, M.Ed. (Tuscarora/Cherokee) is an Oral Historian and Legend Keeper of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina. An enrolled member of the Nation, Ramona has served on the Tribal Council and in various other capacities for the Tuscarora. She earned a Master of Education Degree from East Tennessee State University in Reading and Storytelling and a Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology from Catawba College. As the Director of Heritage School, Ramona taught students for over ten years. Ramona travels throughout the United States and Canada as a Motivational Speaker, Cultural Educator, Consultant, Workshop Facilitator and Storyteller. Her workshops and programs of American Indian culture and history delivered through the art of Storytelling, authentic artifacts, music, drumming, dance, and crafts have been educating and empowering audiences of all ages since 1976.

Ken Watson - Flute player  Update: Ken won't be able to join us as he is GETTING MARRIED! (Hey, we are on Indian Time, you do things when it's right to to them!) We wish he and his new wife blessings and hope to see both of them next time. We are lining up a replacement as we speak.

Ken Cloudwalker - Arena Director

Ken “Cloudwalker” and his wife Celeste “Spiderwrulf” started Six Directions Traders over 10 years ago. It began by providing a service for the people, by having items that they could not readily find. To this day we strive to continue this by the Will of The Creator, Service and items we provide for the People.
We were Volunteer Firefighters for 8 years before moving to Florida. In 2001 in the United States of Native America, we realized that Police, Fire and EMS were our Warriors at home and were welcomed into the Grand Entry behind the Veterans. This was Very moving for us. Ken was often asked to Smudge people before they went into the circle, especially if it was not provided at the pow wow. Eventually he was asked to be Arena Director and/or Keeper of the Circle at pow wows throughout Florida. During our travels over summer, through the Southeast, Ken was picked up as Arena Director in many other states.

“I believe we are all One People and I’m Always Honored to Serve”

Mike "Thunder Dancer See's The Ground" Cranford

Lead Male Dancer

"Thunder" is Cherokee, Male Traditional Bustle Dancer. He dances at up to 40 pow wows per year, often serving as male head dancer or circle director. "Thunder" is a Vietnam Air Force Veteran. He is owner of Cranford Gun Works, Cranford Tax Service and a member of the Native American Better Business Bureau. " I am honored to be chosen as head dancer and looking forward to the event. I will strive to do the best job possible" 

Jeanie "E Nah Dah" Cranford

Lead Female Dancer

"E Nah Dah" is Cherokee, a Southern Female Traditional Dancer. She dances at as many as 40 pow wows per year on the east coast. E Nah Dah dances toshare her culture and educate all people. School, group and civic presentations are also included in her focus to share her culture and educate others. "It is always such a great honor to be selected as head female dancer. I take the job very seriously and strive to represent all Native Americans in a positive way".

Admission:

Adults $6
Children - ages 4-16 $4
Veterans & Seniors - $4
Veterans with Veterans Feathers - Free

Educational, Luck of the Draw, Traditional Powwow
All Dancers, Drums and Singers Welcome

Hours:
Friday - July 16, 2010 - Gates Open 1 PM - 8:30 PM Grand Entry 2 PM
Saturday - July 17th, 2010 - Gates Open 11 AM - 8:30 PM Grand Entry 12 Noon
Sunday - July 18th, 2010 - Gates Open 1 PM - 8:30 PM Grand Entry 2 PM

Bring a blanket and/or chair, an umbrella for rain or shine and join us.
No Guns, Gossip, Drugs or Alcohol
For more information: Call 276-688-3438 or email info@indianvillage.org

Blessing Ceremony Opens Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum

Members of the Delaware (Munsee) Nation performed a traditional Blessing Ceremony April 1st at this years opening of the Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum in Bastian, VA.

The traditional ceremony led by Chief of the Turtle Clan, Jack "3 Bears" Eisel and assisted by Chief of the Turkey Clan, Darrell "Two Wolves" Schwarz was held in the recreated Village site.
Chief "3 Bears" said of the Indian Village, "This is all sacred land. We are still here and we are still using it."
"First People were here long before the white men came, said Chief Two Wolves, "The ancestors would be very unhappy if they were forgotten."

Joyce Cheekis Eisel, said, "Everyone should be taught about the First People of Virginia, that is the importance of the village."
"When we pray, we all pray to the same creator," Penny Plummer, Retail Sales Manager said. "We just have different ways of expressing that."
For her part of the prayer, Denise Smith, Museum and Village Manager, noted that people will enter the village from all walks of life. "I prayed the blessing to help people have a positive experience in the village and leave with new knowledge."

“We are pleased to be extending our hours of operation to include Monday this year and are excited about the rebuilding in progress” said Willie Howlett, Bland County Administrator. “This is truly a unique destination for both local residents and visitors to Bland County.

Members of the Delegation were Peggy "Goodwin" Cornell, Tim Cornell
Jack "3 Bears Eisel" Darrell "Two Wolves" Schwarz, Jaime "Golden Otter" Booher, Roy "Red Hawk" Jones, Karen "Grandma Spirit Woman" Jones, Joyce Cheekis Eisel, Lois, "White Dove" Goodwin, Oscar "Lost Wolfe" Goodwin, Raymond "Lightfoot" Goodwin and Carolyn Tomey.