Circle Legacy Center Inc

A wonderful organization that provides a lot of outreach, education, advocacy, classes and workshops, some very important projects and more. I highly respect and appreciate them and their important mission. Very grateful to have circle Legacy in the community.

Members of Circle Legacy shared their personal experiences and traumas while showing my group of Quakers around the former Carlisle Indian School. That was the infamous place where Native children, taken from their parents and moved across the country, were to be assimilated under the policy of, "Kill the Indian in him, and save the man." The members of Circle Legacy honor and tend the graves of the children buried at Carlisle, now an active military base, and they have helped repatriate some of the children, allowing them to return home to be reburied in their homelands after more than a century away. Among the goals of Circle Legacy is teaching non-Natives like me our history without being defensive, or dumping blame or personal guilt. I am grateful for the openness and the lasting connections Circle Legacy has brought me, enriching my life.

Circle Legacy is a great non profit for all people. Always a welcoming atmosphere no matter where they are.They provide Native American education and activities for the community. Great group of people providing fun and information at the same time.

Circle Legacy Center of Lancaster County, PA is a focal point for all peoples who want to know more about Native American culture and history, from primarily the local region and North East United States; however, they also have strong cultural ties and connections all across "Indian Country". CLC provides workshops, lectures and events to showcase the local Native American culture and crafts with their various partners. CLC has developed strong partnerships and supports other local entities including, Blue Rock Heritage Center, Hans Herr House, Indian Steps Museum and the Carlisle Indian School Project. CLC has previously partnered with Hans Herr House to construct a traditional Iroquois Long House on their historical site. CLC is currently partnering with Blue Rock Heritage Center to recreate an early woodland village and Interpretative area within the heart of where historic Susquehannock and Shenks Ferry Villages were located. CLC also attends traditional Native American gatherings, (i.e. Pow Wows), in the North East, where they raise funds for projects, by selling Fry Bread Tacos.

I publicly endorse Circle Legacy Center for their work within the Native community and in Building Bridges with Non Native peoples. They open their arms to all who wish to learn, listen or just observe the events presented. They continue to network and provide support to local small centers and museums like, Blue Rock Heritage Center and Conestoga Museum and the Hans Herr Longhouse in providing Education programs on the Native peoples who resided in Pennsylvania. I find them creditable and knowledgeable.

My experience with Circle Legacy started when I was looking for a local Native American community to connect with, as I moved far away from my tribe and family. My daughter was also having problems feeling connected and supported in the local school system. I soon came to realize that there are many caring, warm people involved with Circle Legacy. The group took us in, and made us feel welcome, cared about and supported. There are many wonderful people in this organization, and we soon started volunteering and getting more involved. I particularly enjoyed helping with a wellness and crafts fair in Baltimore, where free health screenings were provided to women in the community while their children were entertained with making crafts. These children were so proud to be able to make something for themselves, and also presents for their families for Christmas. The day was filled with fun, games, crafts, and a wonderful luncheon for the community. This is just one example of the things I have experienced in Circle Legacy, and there are many. I would recommend this organization to anyone that wants to connect with other Native American people, learn more about Native American culture if you aren't Native, or help people in your community.

This organization has been a focal point for Native peoples in the region to share their cultures with the people of their region through educational presentations, commemorations, and cultural celebrations. They have been central to the Carlisle Indian School Projects successful partnership with the Cumberland Valley community to create an interpretive center on the Indian Boarding School Era starting with the Carlisle Indian School. Most importantly, they are wonderful people doing good work.

I'm the founder & chair of Warwick Bright Torch, a civic work group in our school district. Our members include students, alumni, taxpayers, and retired teachers. All of us are volunteers. Circle Legacy Center (CLC) has been most helpful in advising our efforts to retire the use of Native American imagery and the "warrior" nickname used by the school's athletic teams. We urge that the school board restore the original "torch of knowledge" symbols to represent all aspects of student life at Warwick. CLC leaders also served as advisors to The Library Company of Philadelphia in developing the graphic novel, "Ghost River - The Fall & Rise of the Conestoga," for use in the schools. See also, www.ghostriver.org. For all of this, and the many wonderful friendships that have resulted, I'm grateful to be a Circle Legacy Center member. ~ Don Gallagher, Lititz, PA

I love going to their meetings. Good food, awesome people and always a great learning experience whether it be speakers or learning traditional dancing.

Over the last 10 years, The Circle Legacy Center has been a valuable partner to The Carlisle Indian School Project. They've shared our vision, have been critical and dependable partners in the planning and logistics of our events at the Carlisle Barracks, and have sponsored a special Native veteran or public servant for Jim Thorpe Sports Days at the Barracks. They also sponsor a Memorial Day event to remember the children buried at the Barracks cemetery every year. The Circle Legacy not only gives local Indian people a place to share their cultures, they sponsor many other inviting, informational events in many communities in Pennsylvania. We look forward to many more years of sharing our mission of creating a proper monument dedicated to the experience of the students of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, 1879-1918.

Over the past four years the Circle Legacy Center has partnered with my community's Native American cultural celebration, 'The PowWow on Manatawny Creek". The guidance and assistance that they have shared with us has been an invaluable contribution to the success this event has been to the Pottstown, Pennsylvania community.

I was there when a historical marker to commemorate the slaughter of the Conestoga people in 1763. CLC was instrumental in getting this important marker erected after the original became missing. Members of CLC were there along with dignitaries of Lancaster City. Testimony and traditional music was offered. A very respectful presentation. I wish the marker could have said more. You can veiw this marker at the corner of Prince and King sts.

I was invited to help build the Wigwam done at Blue Rock Heritage Center. What a Fantastic learning experience. Easy going instructors and relaxed. Will go back again for sure.

I attended a workshop sponsored by Circle Legacy Center. It was done very well and found the information very beneficial. I would recommend to everyone to attend any future workshops, classes or events at Circle Legacy Center. The Center provides a very needed resource for the community.