René Locklear White, an active member of her Lumbee Tribe and a retired Air Force Lt. Col., has dedicated her life to promoting Indigenous culture and enhancing community well-being. René earned a Masters in Diplomacy and three Bachelors in Mathematics, Fine Art and American Indian Studies from the University of N.C. at Pembroke (UNCP) - her tribal university. She co-established the Native American non-profit Sanctuary on the Trail in Bluemont, Virginia. Through this 501(c)3, she strives to help leaders first, bring recognition to the contributions of Indigenous peoples to reduce suffering in the world. Notably, René co-presented "Native People Protecting Native Plants/Waterways" at the Chesapeake Watershed 2023 Forum, held at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia. As an Indigenous chef, René became inspired to help reintegrate Native Foods into American diets, recognizing that Native Americans face higher rates of nearly every health disparity and the alarming rise of rare diseases. To address this, she produced a short film, “Mapping America’s Native Food Trail,” and aims to develop an online interactive food map at NativeFoodTrail.org.