Footsteps Ahead of Ours

A cultural review of the first occupants of Orange and Durham counties

Join Beverly Scarlett for a transformative overnight retreat exploring the history of the land, water sources, and the first occupants of Orange and Durham counties, filled with live music, movement, and storytelling. Together, we’ll learn about the lives of Indigenous, Maroon, Slave, and Free People of Color who occupied land along the Historic Indian Trading Path now called Mason Road, and how that history shapes the place many of us call home today. Footsteps Ahead of Ours is an opportunity to gain knowledge that has been erased and rewritten in familiar historical narratives, in a way that you’ve never experienced history before.

As part of the retreat, participants will have the opportunity to visit sacred burial spaces maintained by Indigenous Memories, including several likely ancient Indigenous burial mounds, disrupted burial mounds, a Maroon cemetery where Indigenous and Free People of Color are buried in the same space, and the Hardscrabble Slave Cemetery. During a 3-mile historical hike, Beverly will share the art of dowsing, instruction on identifying Indigenous burials and slave burials.

Participants will learn about and have the opportunity to take part in the The Hillsborough Legacy Project, which explores the genetic and historical stories of the Hardscrabble/Pleasant Grove Plantation in Hillsborough, North Carolina, as well as how this history impacts the modern health of descendants. On Saturday, participants will also enjoy live music performed by Ajusher.

The retreat begins at 5:00 pm on Friday and ends at 7:00 pm on Saturday. The registration fee of $249 will cover lodging, meals, and the retreat program. A limited number of commuter tickets are available, and a discounted rate will be available to those opting to share a room. Scholarship assistance is available to those with financial need. To request a scholarship, please email information@peacehillavila.org 

About the Retreat Leader

Judge Beverly A. Scarlett is a native of Orange County, North Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Augustine’s College and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law-Evening Division. Upon graduating from law school, she returned to her home community where she practiced law as a solo practitioner, assistant district attorney, and district court judge. After retiring from the State of North Carolina in 2021, Judge Scarlett began focusing on the history of her ancestors. She co-founded Indigenous Memories along with her sister Yolanda, being supported by her sister Jackie, and cousins Maureen and Teresa. Through her work with Indigenous Memories, Judge Scarlett utilizes modalities of the arts (paintings, music, storytelling and writing books) to share the rich history of her Indigenous, Maroon, and Slave ancestors as found in court records, newspapers, and traditional oral history. Judge Scarlett proudly shares the history of her family to provide a more complete history of the lives of People of Color in Alamance, Durham, and Orange counties, and to lend context to the recorded history of North Carolina’s Piedmont.

About the Retreat Setting

The retreat will be held at Avila Center for Community Leadership, a rural setting 20 minutes north of downtown Durham. Originally a Carmelite monastery that has since been transformed into a center for community organizing, Avila offers private and shared accommodations nestled into the woods. The 50-acre property includes trails, a labyrinth, as well as numerous spaces for conversation and quiet moments of contemplation.

Nourishing meals featuring local farm-fresh ingredients will be provided by Netta’s Pantry, including dinner on Friday and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, as well as plenty of snacks and beverages.

This retreat is for those with curiosity about the place they call home and an openness to relearn what they have been taught, as well as those looking to reconnect with the land and with each other.

Sponsored by Peace Hill at Avila.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received at least 30 days prior to the retreat for a refund, less a $25 processing fee.