Events
2024 Yesàh Language & Lifeways Gathering
This program is made possible by the following funders and community partners: Mellon Foundation, Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia (MAAV), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Indigenous East, 7 Directions of Service, NDPonics and the Yesa:sahi Language Project
This gathering is part of the MAAV Yesa:sahi Language and Sacred Places Project - Learn more here
Registration is now closed. If you have any questions, please email the Project Coordinator, Dominique Daye Hunter at ddhunter@landberry.org
For those registered, please take the Participant Pre-Survey below to assist us in program evaluation and accommodating participant needs!
This event will take place from July 11-14, 2024 at Virginia Tech and is FREE for Yesàh community members. Lunch will be provided each day as well as breakfast and dinner on select days for all participants (see agenda below for details).
The gathering will be held at O'Shaughnessy Hall located at 530 Washington St SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061 (and various locations on campus - see agenda for details)
Parking is available in Owens Lot or along Washington Street. See VT Parking Map Here. All participants will be given a parking hang tag pass at check-in for Thursday and Friday. Parking on Saturday and Sunday is FREE.
The gathering will feature 4 days of experiential language learning through an interactive and immersive approach that integrates history, culture, storytelling and traditional food and lifeways.
The gathering structure will generally follow the below format (Please see full agenda below for more details):
Breakfast (provided) 8-9am (no breakfast Thursday)
Morning Session 9 - 12pm (10am start Thursday)
Lunch (Provided) 12-1pm
Afternoon session 1pm - 4pm
Evening Session 6-8pm (no evening session Sunday)
Language in context immersion sessions will explore the use of Yesa:sahį́ in the context of Yesá traditional lifeways through a series of place-based experiences, presentations, and discussions with tribal elders, linguists, researchers, and other community members. These interactive presentations and tours will include discussions of traditional food practices, the Yesá lunar agricultural calendars, Appalachian forests and plants, history, mapping and migration, storytelling, social dances and more. The conference will include local field trips on and off-campus and transportation to field trip locations.
Classroom-based Languge Lesson sessions will focus on building participants' knowledge and skill in using the language including alphabet sounds/ pronunciation, vocabulary, sentence structure, use of verbs and other grammar and skills that will increase participants ability to use and practice the language. Participants will have opportunities to practice and speak the language with others.
This is a family-friendly event: All ages are welcome to participate. Language-focused youth programs and engagement activities will be available for youth 18 and under during the adult classroom-based language lessons. See agenda below for exact times when the youth classrooms are open. Parents sign children in and out each day. Parents are responsible for supervising their children on all field trips outside of the classrooms.
Travel & Accommodations
We recommend booking your hotel as soon as possible. Our host hotel is the Inn at Virginia Tech, which is located on-campus and has offered our language gathering participants a discounted room rate. See below for a full list of options and instructions.
The Inn at Virginia Tech* (host hotel): In order to receive the discounted room rate, reservations must be made using the following link (Summer Language Program) or telephoned directly to the Hotel Reservations Department at (540) 231-8000. Callers must identify their affiliation with the "Summer Language Program." Rates cannot be altered or changed at check-in or check-out for guests who fail to identify their affiliation at the time the reservation is made.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Blacksburg - University Area (an IHG Hotel)
Residence Inn Blacksburg- University*
Hyatt Place Blacksburg/University
*accepts service and emotional support animals
For those flying into Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), we recommend using the SmartWays shuttle bus ($4 each way, $2 reduced fare for those that qualify) that transports from the airport to the Virginia Tech campus and other areas in Blacksburg. Please visit https://smartwaybus.com/
Gathering Agenda
Check back for updates, schedule is subject to change.
This event is rain or shine! Please dress for the weather and bring comfortable and appropriate outdoor clothing. We may make some adjustments to the schedule based on the weather which will be announced at the gathering.
Can't attend all days of the gathering? No worries! We are offering a Zoom option for the classroom language lessons each day so no one has to miss a lesson! See Zoom links below.
Main Classroom Language Lesson (Instructor: Dr. Marty Richardson) - JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/85273358442
Yesa:sahi Conversation Practice Lesson (Instructors: Dr. David Kaufman, Martin Saniga) - JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82663854693
Facilitators / Instructors
Planning Team: Desiree Shelley (Monacan Indian Nation), Alexandra Sutton-Lawrence, PhD (Saponi Nation of Ohio), Dominique Daye Hunter (Saponi), Marvin (Marty) Richardson, PhD (Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe), Crystal Cavalier-Keck, PhD (Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation), Donna Westfall-Rudd, PhD
Language Instructors: Marvin (Marty) Richardson, Dave Kaufman, PhD, Martin Saniga (Sappony Indian Tribe)
Workshop Presenters / Facilitators: Victoria Ferguson (Monacan Indian Nation), Bryce Burrell (Mississippi Band of Choctaw), Alexandra Sutton-Lawrence , Dominique Daye Hunter, Desiree Shelley, Jason Keck (Choctaw), Shaheen (Aki) Hedgepeth (Saponi Nation of Ohio)
Education Staff: Crystal Cavalier-Keck , Alicia Gear (Monacan Indian Nation), Meghan Alexandre, Anahi Sanchez
Support Staff: Aaron Lawrence, Robert Rice (Saponi Nation of Ohio),
Thursday, July 11, 2024
O'Shaughnessy Hall - 530 Washington St SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Theme: Yesah Homelands and Identities
(Where is home? How do we identify and connect with our landscapes?)
10:00 am: Registration and t-shirt pick up
10:50 am - Children and Youth Classrooms Open
11:00 am: Welcome and Introductions session
Introducing ourselves
Sharing community histories and stories
Program overview and group placements
12:30 - 1:30 pm: Lunch (Provided)
1:30 - 3:30 pm: Language Lessons
Introductory language lesson - Instructor: Marty Richardson (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/85273358442)
History of the Language
Basic Pronunciation
How to introduce yourself in Yesa:sahi
Review of alphabet + sounds + grammar
Pronunciation practice
Positionality
Complex Greetings
Conversation practice and immersive language learning - Facilitated by Martin Saniga and Dave Kaufman (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82663854693 )
3:30 - 5:30 pm: Interactive Community Workshops
Small Group Workshops:
Community Yesah Art Discussion and Work Group - OPEN TO ALL - Facilitated by Dominique Daye Hunter
Working Group Meeting - Yesah Community Memory Mapping & Counter Mapping Session (INVITE ONLY GROUP MTG) - facilitated by Alexa Sutton Lawrence
5:30 pm - Children and Youth Classrooms Close
5-6:30 pm - Evening Break
6:30 pm - Dinner (Provided)
6:00pm - 8:00 pm - Community Social Activities
Basket Making - Facilitated by Desiree Shelley
Poetry - Facilitated by Dominique Daye Hunter
Games - Facilitated by Aki Hedgepeth
Friday, July 12, 2024
O'Shaughnessy Hall - 530 Washington St SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Theme: Wild Cultivated Foods and Indigenous Landscapes
8:00 am - 8:30 am - Breakfast (provided)
8:30 -8:45 am - Board Vans and carpool vehicles to transport to Pandapas Park Day Use Area (approximately 8 min drive from campus) *
*Space on vans is limited to those that are not able to carpool. Children that require car seats (pre-kindergarten / approx. 5 and under) can not be transported in vans and must carpool with parents separately
Driving Directions (google map)
9:00 am - Morning Session: Field Trip to Pandapas Day Use Area - What to expect at the park (Trail and parking info, photos and wildlife descriptions)
Activity: Plant walk and forest visit.
Participants split into 2 groups
Easy gravel walking trails and paths (accessible to most) along the Pandapas Pond and Wetland Loop and the Woods and Field Loop
Practice Yesa:sahi words for plant and animal relatives
Learn about wild edibles and medicinal plants (there may be opportunities to sample or harvest in small amounts)
Explore the pond (Youth will have the opportunity to search for aquatic macroinvertebrates, amphibians and other fish and wildlife *
*Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times on the trip.
* Alternative activities at O'Shaughnessy Hall for individuals with very limited mobility
12:00 - 12:15 pm - Board vans and carpool vehicles to return to O'Shaughnessy Hall
12:30 - 1:30 pm: Lunch (Provided) at O'Shaughnessy Hall
1:20 pm - Children and Youth Classrooms Open
1:30 - 3:30 pm: Language Lessons
Language Lesson 1 - Instructor: Marty Richardson (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/85273358442)
Conversation practice and immersive language learning - Facilitated by Martin Saniga and Dave Kaufman (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82663854693)
3:30 pm - Middle and Highschool Youth Classrooms Close
3:30 - 5:30 pm: Interactive Community Workshops
Small Group Workshops:
Community Yesah Art Discussion and Work Group - OPEN TO ALL - Facilitated by Dominique Daye Hunter
Community Yesah Food Sovereignty and Cultural Revitalization through Systems-Thinking Strategies Workshop Focus Group (LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE, Pre-registration required). Please follow the link to register in advance.
Yesah Community Memory Mapping & Counter Mapping Workshop (OPEN TO ALL) - facilitated by Alexa Sutton Lawrence
5:30 pm - Children's Classrooms Close
5-6:00 pm - Evening Break
6:00 pm - Dinner (Provided at O'Shaughnessy)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Community Social Activities
Basket Making - Facilitated by Desiree Shelley
Poetry - Facilitated by Dominique Daye Hunter
Games - Facilitated by Aki Hedgepeth
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Turfgrass Research Center - 615 Southgate Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Yesah Foodways and History - Four Daughters and the Lunar Agricultural Calendar
Amai: Mi:nosa
MEET AT THE TURFGRASS RESEARCH CENTER (Address: 615 Southgate Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24060)
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Breakfast (provided at Turfgrass Research Center Pavilion)
Driving Directions (google map)
9:00 am - Morning Session: Field Trip to Indigenous Community Garden - Learn more about the garden here (What's growing?, Indigenous heirlooms, foods, and recipes and recipes and other garden activities)
Activity: Indigenous Community Garden Visit and Pottery Workshop
Participants will...
Split into 2 groups and rotate through the following activities
Indigenous Community Garden Visit - facilitated by Bryce Burrell
Practice Yesa:sahi words for foodways, garden plants and pottery-making
Learn about Yesah gardening practices
Assist with harvesting food from the garden for use in the evening cooking demonstration
Yesah History and Foodways through Pottery Workshop - facilitated by Victoria Ferguson
Youth will have the opportunity to practice pottery making and harvesting from the garden *
*Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times on the trip.
12:00 - 1:00 pm: Lunch (Provided) at Turfgrass Research Center
1:00 pm - Board vehicles and carpool to O'Shaughnessy Hall
1:15 pm - Children and Youth Classrooms Open
1:30 - 3:30 pm: Language Lessons (at O'Shaughnessy Hall)
Language Lesson 3 - Instructor: Marty Richardson (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/85273358442 )
Conversation practice and immersive language learning - Facilitated by Martin Saniga and Dave Kaufman (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82663854693)
4:00 pm - Children and Youth Classrooms Closes
3:30 - 5:00 pm - Afternoon Break
5:00 - 6:00 pm - Southeastern Indigenous and Eastern Siouan Cooking Demonstration (at O'Shaughnessy Hall Kitchens)
6:00 pm - Dinner (Provided at O'Shaughnessy Hall)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Community Social Activities
Basket Making - Facilitated by Desiree Shelley
Poetry - Facilitated by Dominique Daye Hunter
Games - Facilitated by Aki Hedgepeth
Sunday, July 14, 2024
O'Shaughnessy Hall - 530 Washington St SW, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Theme: Lifeways and Water
Mani Eni:se
MEET AT O'SHAUGHNESSY HALL
8:00 am - 9:00 am - Breakfast (provided)
9:00 am - Photographs & Announcements: Upcoming Events + Digital Gathering Space
9:15 am - Children's and Youth Classroom Opens
9:15 am - 12:00 pm - Language Lessons (at O'Shaughnessy Hall)
Language Lesson 4 - Instructor: Marty Richardson (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/85273358442 )
Language Pledge Activity
Conversation practice and immersive language learning - Facilitated by Marty, Richardson, Martin Saniga and Dave Kaufman (JOIN BY ZOOM: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82663854693)
Walking language practice (campus walk to Solitude, Duck Pond and Strubbles Creek - Tributary of the New River - leaves at 11:15 am) *
Elementary and high school youth will have the opportunity to walk to Solitude area to explore the pond and stream
*Parents with children 5 and under must accompany them on the walk.
12:00 pm - Children and Youth Classrooms Close
Afternoon Activities at Solitude
12:00 - 1:00 pm: Lunch (Provided at Solitude)
1:00 pm - Eastern Woodland Stick Ball Demonstration - facilitated by Bryce Burrell and Jason Keck
2:00 pm - Yesah / Tutelo Social Dances - led by Martin Saniga and Rufus Elliot
3:00 pm - Closing Ceremony, Gratitude and Sharing
Gifts of appreciation
Sharing Language Pledge
Reminders: Upcoming events and how to stay involved.
Optional Self-Guided tour of Yesah/ Monacan Exhibit at Solitude (curated by Victoria Ferguson)
4:00 pm - Program Concludes