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.

A sample of the 6/29 performance by Hoops of Hope & Resilience

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)

Help us "pass the torch"

Since our designation as a National Heritage Area in 2019, our organization has grown from a small staff of three to a strong team of seven. Our Management Plan was approved in August 2023, providing direction for the future. Now, we are preparing for another big change. Our longtime leader, Phyllis Baxter, will step down in 2024, and Logan Smith will step up to become our new Executive Director.

Phyllis has been involved with the Appalachian National Heritage Area (AFNHA) since the beginning. For over 20 years, she has helped achieve all our important milestones. She has provided excellent vision and leadership at every step. She was there for the initial stakeholder meetings that helped establish the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA) as a non-profit organization. Phyllis was instrumental in starting our long-running AmeriCorps program and advocating for the congressional legislation that established our National Heritage Area, creating AFNHA.

Logan has been involved since 2008 and, as Deputy Director, has supported much of the day-to-day operations of our organization. Now he will take on a larger role of leadership in managing and planning our programs. 

To assist with the long-term development of our organization we have also brought on Larry Jent as Fiscal Sustainability Director. Larry brings deep connections to Appalachian culture and a wealth of experience in nonprofit management. He will help us begin our next chapter as we plan for our future.

Help us recognize these accomplishments and welcome this new era at our upcoming celebration: Friday, January 26, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center (101 Railroad Ave, Elkins). Come and go as you please. 
Presentation at 5:30. 
Light refreshments will be served. 
Virtual attendance will be available 5:30 - 6:30: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89433093280

AFNHA Hosting Interpretation Training 11/03

Interpretation Training

Friday, November 3 9:30 am-4:30 pm

West Virginia Wood Technology Center (10 11th St, Elkins, WV 26241)

Workshops will cover interpretation basics, personal and non-personal interpretation, developing exhibits, and interpreting difficult stories. Trainers will include Dr. Dave Smaldone (WVU), Kyle Warmack (WV Humanities Council), and Katie Thompson. Free and open to all and highly encouraged for AmeriCorps members, partners, and grantees doing interpretation projects. Lunch included. Please RSVP by email to afnha@afnha.org

Schedule:
9:30 - 11:15 -- Dave Smaldone - Intro to natural and heritage interpretation and themes.

11:30 - 12:30 -- Interpreting difficult topics conversation.

12:30 - 1:15 lunch (provided)

1:15 - 2:30 - Katie Thompson - giving tours and personal interpretation.

2:45 - 4:30 -- Kyle Warmack - developing exhibits and signs