Co-Founder, Sanctuary on the Trail Native American 501(c)3 Non Profit

Indigenous Advisor:

• Simply Shenandoah Resort VA.
• Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF), Sheppard University WV
• Shenandoah University
• The Oatland's Plantation Leesburg, VA

Memberships:

• Native American Women Warriors
• VFW Lifetime Member​
• American Legion Lifetime Member
• Lumbee Warrior's Association Lifetime Member

Upcoming:

• Feb. 27 - Leading a Death Café small group for Blueridge Hospice at the Bowman Library in Stephens City, VA
• March 27 - Guest lecture for the University of NC at Pembroke Lumbee History undergraduate course on the Lumbee Game series
• March 20-21 - Attending the Lumbee Educational Southeast Native Studies Conference in Pembroke, NC
• April 12 at 2:00 - 5:00 pm - Indigenous Food Demo, Virginia Tech in Roanoke, VA
• May 1 - Submitted a draft scholarly article to Appalachian Journal Fall 2025 titled, "Reconnecting to America’s Native Food Trail through Appalachia" for review
• Sat. May at 17 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Guest Speaker at The Oatland's Spring Fling "Celebrating Our Roots: Indigenous Wisdom and Native Plants & Waterways
  and the significance of the insect apocalypse"
• Fall - Launching Indigenous road-side signs for Frederick Co. Virginia.

Ongoing

• Leading a private Maternal Elders Gathering
• Launching Native Voices of Loudoun Co. Virginia educational video series
• Producing a new Lumbee Indigenous History Online Game Video Series
• ​Simply Shenandoah Wellness Resort, Star Tannery, VA (dates TBD)
• Production Phase Ongoing - Historical Indigenous Markers, Winchester Visitor Center Frederick County, VA
• Ongoing Research - Planting American Chestnut Trees, Stephens City, VA
• Land Acknowledgement Statements
  • CATF Sheppardstown, WV  - complete
  • Shenandoah University, VA  - ongoing
  • Loudoun County, VA  - COMPLETE
  • Bluemont, VA - ongoing
• Food is Medicine, Nationwide
  • Video Mapping Americans Native Food Trail
  • Mapping Americas Native Food Trail
  • Rare Disease and Healing Food Research

Special Activities/Service Participation
Defense Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation, Foreign Defense Service, Air Force Meritorious Service, Air Force Commendation, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service, Armed Forces Service includes: 

• Department of Defense Badge, Pentagon: Cyber Operations, Cyber Control and Public Affairs, Joint Advertising, Market Research and Studies, spokesperson for Secretary of Defense.
• Headquarters Air Force Badge, Pentagon
• U.S. Pacific Command Badge: Joint Task Force Full Accounting Hawaii: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.
• Republic of South Korea - Korean Defense Service Medal and multiple joint exercises including Operation Ulchi Focus Lens.
• Operation Northern Watch, Turkey.
• AFSOUTH, Operation Deny Flight, Naples Italy, IFOR (Implementation Force), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Zagreb Croatia, and Sarajevo. 
• Combat Camera support to Operation Desert Storm.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Freda Porter from Porter Scientific for putting forward our co-founder, Rene' Locklear White, as a nominee for the prestigious Distinguished Women of Honor award. It is truly an honor for us to be recognized during the 11th Annual Conference for American Indian Women of Proud Nations Ceremony and Banquet in Pembroke, N.C. We are incredibly grateful for this recognition.

The Distinguished Women of Honor are recognized for a lifetime of service. They have not only performed a job, but they have gone "beyond the call of duty." These women have been catalysts for new visions, understanding and positive change in American Indian communities. They have also developed and implemented innovative strategies and solutions to meet community needs. These honorees are expected to continue to work and speak for American Indian people in ever-broadening spectrum to build strong, vibrant, economically sound and peaceful communities.

​Indigenous Native American Indian legends contain rich symbolism and imagery associated with pearls.

• Meanings may vary among different tribes and cultures, pearls often represent various concepts such as purity, wisdom, prosperity, spiritual guidance, spiritual growth and enlightenment.
• Pearls are also seen as a reflection of inner beauty and the connection between humans and the natural world.
• Pearls might also symbolize abundance and prosperity in Native American cultures, as they were highly valued and used as currency or trade items in certain tribes.
• They may represent the blessings and abundance that come from living in harmony with nature and the Great Spirit.
• Furthermore, pearls can be seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.
• Pearls are often associated with stories and teachings passed down through generations, serving as reminders of ancestral wisdom and the interconnectedness of all living things.

Distinguished Women of Honor recipients are: 

• Charlene Hunt (Lumbee)
• Heather McMillan Nakai, J.D. (Lumbee)
• Rene' Locklear White, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) (Lumbee)

Women to Watch recipients are: 

• Amber Holland J.D. (Lumbee)
• Dr. Genna Locklear (Lumbee)
• Kearston "Page" Freeman (Lumbee / Coharie / Waccamaw Siouan)

The Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem recognized Rene' White (Native American Church of Virgina President) as Member of the Year during a gala event held in Riverside Calif. on Sept. 19, 2015. Chris White (Native American Church of Virgina CEO) HOSLJ Commandry of Virginia introduced Rene' to accept the award. The couple are pictured here with HOSLJ Princes Karen Cantrell and HOSLJ James (FE) Mooney Commandry of Indigenous Peoples.

     René Locklear White, Lt. Col. USAF (Retired) is named the first female guest speaker for Lumbee Warriors Veteran’s Military Ball during the 47th  Annual Lumbee Homecoming  Saturday, June 27, 2015. Tickets are on sale for $65 per person and available by calling Gunny Lambert at 910-827-0205 or email [email protected].
     René will be speaking about the "DNA of the Lumbee Warrior."

Native American Church of Virginia -- George Mason University selected Native American Church President Rene' White (Feather) as a guest speaker for the 2015 Politics of Gender and Justice conference.
     Rene's speech is titled "Methods of Transformation to Politics of Gender & Justice: Transforming Race Relations Starting with Language." Her presentation is part of a conference of other speakers that beings at 10:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 24 at GMU. The event is free and open to the public.

"Methods of Transformation to Politics of Gender & Justice: Transforming Race Relations Starting with Language"
1:50PM-2:50PM – SESSIONS III
Session J:
Linguistics and Lyrics - Paper Presentations Room 1202

5:00PM – 7:00PM: Mix & Mingle / Happy Hour at The Greene Turtle (3950 University Dr #209, Fairfax, VA 22030)

Conference Information
Free Registration
Conference Website
[email protected]
703-993-2896
Friday, April 24, 2015 9:00AM
Check-In/Registration
10:00AM-5:00PM
Workshops & Presentations
Merten Hall, George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Abstract Submitted to GMU
By Rene' White (Feather)

     Language can bridge the fundamental gap in our society. For instance, words like “Primitive.”  “Uncivilized.”  “Savages.”  The people who created those words had passion. They made a difference.  But, the impact of those words on our Native American ancestors continues to linger in our history books, under headings of old photographs and in spoken words as we describe Native Americans today.
     I would like to share my personal story of being a female Native American and living through assimilation, discrimination and serving to protect our U.S. Constitution as an Air Force officer. I am proud to give a voice to our true Native Americans’ histories.
     I would also like to encourage unearthing the passion within us all to help bridge the divides that separate us.  Let us look at how we are alike rather than different. Together, I believe we can find unity as a new tribe of people with passion to make a difference. Unity gives us the strength to solve diverse problems and make a positive difference. Let us not allow cultural diversity to ever threaten our unity.  It is about loving thy neighbor as thy self.  It is about being peacemakers. It is about making a difference.
     The only barriers that exist are in language.

Session J
Linguistics and Lyrics - Paper Presentations
Room 1202

Moderator: Katrina Kinsolving

“We'll never be royals”: The Popularity of Working-Class Trope in Lorde's Music Presenter: Cassie Clark, George Washington University

Looking for the Crest of a New Wave Presenter: Mike Moratto, Alumnas, George Mason University

Methods of Transformation to Politics of Gender & Justice: Transforming Race Relations Starting with Language Presenter: Rene White (Feather), The Sanctuary on the Trail™