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2013 SESSION

13104756D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 934
Offered February 18, 2013
Commending the Intertribal Women's Circle.
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Patrons-- Carr and McQuinn
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WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle, a nonprofit organization composed of women dedicated to the preservation of American Indian cultural heritage, will proudly celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle began as a small group of American Indian family members gathering to preserve their tribal artistic traditions; and

WHEREAS, as the group met, it decided to unify its efforts with other tribal women and established a nonprofit organization in 2003; today, the Intertribal Women’s Circle brings together tribal women on a regular basis to enjoy fellowship, serve others, and share traditions and artwork; and

WHEREAS, at monthly workshops, the Intertribal Women’s Circle holds classes in American Indian crafts and activities, including weaving, pottery, pine needle basketry, beading, herbal harvesting, and language song creation; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle sells its traditional, handmade wares made by its members at booths at local powwows; and

WHEREAS, in 2004 the Intertribal Women’s Circle proudly marched in the National Museum of the American Indian’s inaugural parade and held its first art exhibition at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle has held numerous workshops, demonstrations, and lectures at universities, museums, and other locations to share information about American Indian heritage and artistic traditions; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle has provided invaluable service to tribal communities, renovating the Pamunkey Pottery School, repainting the Pamunkey Museum, and assisting in renovations at the Upper Mattaponi Sharon Indian School; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle also worked to put new roofs on tribal elders’ homes and made donations to Virginia tribal communities; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle surveyed tribal community members about issues related to women’s health and assisted its sister organization from Washington state in the revision and reprinting of the book Journey Woman: A Native Woman’s Journey to Wellness; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle also reaches out to serve the larger community, collecting donations for those affected by natural disasters, fires, and terminal illness and for local animal shelters and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU; and

WHEREAS, the Intertribal Women’s Circle was featured in the 2005 Winter edition of the National Museum of the American Indian American Indian Magazine and on a 2007 episode of Virginia Currents; and

WHEREAS, in 2006 the Intertribal Women’s Circle was honored with a Unity Award from the Citizens Unity Commission for its positive impact on diversity in the Hampton Roads area; and

WHEREAS, in 2013 the Intertribal Women’s Circle will hold its seventh annual Round Dance, which annually draws a crowd of more than 100 people, to honor those who have passed on and to enjoy home-cooked food, stories from members of the Elders Council, dancing, and participation in various contests; and

WHEREAS, for the past decade, the Intertribal Women’s Circle has brought together American Indian women to share and preserve their rich cultural heritage and engage in community service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Intertribal Women’s Circle on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Intertribal Women’s Circle as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for the Circle’s work to preserve and share the cultural heritage of American Indians.