"They made us many promises, more than I can remember. But they kept but one - They promised to take our land...and they took it."
-- Chief Red Cloud
Last year, James Arthur Ray made approximately $94 million dollars selling his twisted version of Native American Spiritual practices. While on Pine Ridge, the median income on the reservation is just $3,500 a year and the unemployment rate is 85% . City Data Forum
It seems to have escaped the notice of the so-called alternative media that James Ray perverted the birth right and the cultural property of the Lakota people while pulling in roughly 2700 times the average income of the rightful guardians of that culture. The amount Ray made is approximately 1593 times the average income of the residents of the nearest reservation, Camp Verde. The median income there was a mere $8347 in 2000 with a 33% rate of unemployment. Fish and Wildlife Report
To my knowledge, there hasn’t been a single new story that covers the conditions that the rightful owners of Sedona have to live with. All the attention has been on the harm done a handful of non-NDN people. No coverage has been given to the impact that the Sedona deathlodge incident has on indigenous people.
Well, perhaps there’s hope that this injustice will be remedied.
The Lakota Nation has filed suit against James Ray, Angel Valley and the United States government citing the Laramie treaty of 1868.
The plaintiffs listed are Floyd Hand and Ivan Lewis on behalf of the Oglala Nation.
The lawsuit cites articles 1 of the 1868 treaty of Laramie, article 6 of the United States Constitution and articles, 29 and 36 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous people. The plaintiffs argue that under the customs, traditions and cultural values of the Lakota people the Inipi/Oinikaga ceremony is a way of life, not a religion
They argue that “indigenous people are entitled to the recognition of the FULL OWNERSHIP, control and protection of their cultural and intellectual property. They have the right to special measures of control, develop and protect their sciences, technologies, and CULTURAL MANIFESTATION including human and other genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literature, designs visual and performing arts.” (emphasis mine)
The plaintiffs allege that James Ray violated the peace between the United States government and the Sovereign Lakota Nation by impersonating an Indian and by abusing the cultural property of the Lakota people. The plaintiffs are asking that in order to maintain the treaty of Laramie, that James Ray and the owners of the Angel Valley Retreat center be held accountable and prosecuted under United States law.
If they are successful, and it will be difficult, this will be a ground breaking case in defense of the integrity of Native American spiritual life ways.
You can read the Law suit filed by Floyd Hand and Ivan Lewis to protect the Inipi/Oinikaga here:
I support the efforts of Floyd Hand and Ivan Lewis 100%. I’d like to call on all NDN-born-NDNS and our true supporters to call the so-called alternative media on not covering the indigenous perspective on this issue. On emphasizing the harm done Non-NDN people and only presenting the opinions of illegitimate representatives of NDN culture. It only takes a minute to send an email to the alternative media and demand that this issue be covered fairly and responsibly.
For the latest updates, you can follow dontpaytopray on twitter
On October 9, 2009, two human beings died in a plastic sweat lodge conducted by self-help guru James Arthur Ray. Please remember them in your prayers along with, Liz Neuman, who remains in critical condition at the Flagstaff Medical Center, as a result of James Arthur Ray’s plastic sweat lodge in Angle Valley, Arizona.
In Memorium
Kirby Brown, 38, from Westtown, N.Y died in James Arthur Ray’s sweat lodge on October 9, 2009
James Shore, 40, from Milwaukee, WI died in James Arthur Ray’s sweat lodge on October 9, 2009
Lawrence Catholique, 52, from a Chipewyan First Nation's community near Yellowknife died February 9, 2009 alone in a sweat lodge in which he used wood embers.
Reverend Karen Blomberg, 54, died July 21, 2008 in a Vision Quest conducted by Wilderness Rites of Ashland, Oregon Anne Stine of was responsible for the group that was selling "elder" certificates.
Rowen Cooke, 37, Melbourne Australia died in a sweat lodge 2004
Kylie Watts, 30, Byron Bay in New South Wales died in a sweat lodge in 2003
Kirsten "Kris" Babcock, 34, Redding, California died in a sweat lodge in 2002
David Thomas Hawker, 36, of Union City, California died in a sweat lodge in 2002
Gordon Reynolds, 43, of Twickenham, West London died in a sweat lodge on November 21, 1996
Kelly Rice, 35, of Austin, Texas, housekeeper and masseuse, died of accidental heatstroke inside a sweat lodge 1993
Ronald Delgado of Santa Barbara California was killed in Archie Fire Lame Deer's 'Vision Quest' on July 12, 1980
In keeping with the tradition of letting our elders speak first, I'm posting the words of Chief Arvol Looking Horse before I write my thoughts on this tragedy.
This is Chief Arvol Looking Horse's statement on the Sweat Deaths at Angel Valley last week:
As Keeper of our Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, I am concerned
for the 2 deaths and illnesses of the many people that participated in a
sweat lodge in Sedona, Arizona that brought our sacred rite under fire in the
news. I would like to clarify that this lodge and many others, are not
our ceremonial way of life, because of the way they are being conducted. My
prayers go out for their families and loved ones for their loss.
Our ceremonies are about life and healing, from the time this ancient
ceremonial rite was given to our people, never has death been a part of
our inikag¹a (life within) when conducted properly. Today the rite is
interpreted as a sweat lodge; it is much more than that. So the term
does not fit our real meaning of purification.
Inikag¹a is the oldest ceremony brought to us by Wakan Tanka (Great
Spirit). 19 generations ago, the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Oyate (people), were given
seven sacred rites of healing by a Spirit Woman Pte San Win (White
Buffalo Calf Woman). She brought these rites along with our sacred C¹anupa
(pipe) to our People, when our ancestors were suffering from a difficult time. It
was also brought for the future to help us for much more difficult times to
come. They were brought to help us stay connected to who we are as a
traditional cultural People. The values of conduct are very strict in
any of these ceremonies, because we work with spirit. The way the Creator,
Wakan Tanka told us; that if we stay humble and sincere, we will keep
that connection with the inyan oyate (the stone people), who we call the
Grandfathers, to be able to heal ourselves and loved ones. We have a
³gift² of prayer and healing and have to stay humble with our Unc¹i
Maka (Grandmother Earth) and with one another. The inikag¹a is used in all
of the seven sacred rites to prepare and finish the ceremonies, along with the
sacred eagle feather. The feather represents the sacred knowledge of our
ancestors.
Our First Nations People have to earn the right to pour the mini
wic¹oni (water of life) upon the inyan oyate (the stone people) in creating
Inikag¹a - by going on the vision quest for four years and four years Sundance.
Then you are put through a ceremony to be painted - to recognize that you
have now earned that right to take care of someone¹s life through
purification. They should also be able to understand our sacred language, to be able
to understand the messages from the Grandfathers, because they are ancient,
they are our spirit ancestors. They walk and teach the values of our
culture; in being humble, wise, caring and compassionate.
What has happened in the news with the make shift sauna called the sweat
lodge is not our ceremonial way of life!
When you do ceremony - you cannot have money on your mind. We deal with
the pure sincere energy to create healing that comes from everyone in that
circle of ceremony. The heart and mind must be connected. When you
involve money, it changes the energy of healing. The person wants to get what
they paid for; the Spirit Grandfathers will not be there, our way of life is
now being exploited! You do more damage than good. No² mention² of
monetary energy should exist in healing, not even with a can of love donations.
When that energy exists, they will not even come. Only after¹ the
ceremony, between the person that is being healed and the Intercessor who has
helped connect with the Great Spirit, the energy of money can be given out of
appreciation. That exchange of energy is from the heart; it is private
and does not involve the Grandfathers! Whatever gifts of appreciation the
person who received the help, can now give the Intercessor whatever they feel
their healing is worth.
In our Prophesy of the White Buffalo Calf Woman, she told us that she
would return and stand upon the earth when we are having a hard time. In 1994
this began to happen with the birth of the white buffalo, not only their
nation, but many animal nations began to show their sacred color, which is
white. She predicted that at this time there would be many changes upon
Grandmother Earth. There would be things that we never experienced or heard of
before; climate changes, earth changes, diseases, disrespect for life and one
another would be shocking and there would be also many false prophets!
My Grandmother that passed the bundle to me said I would be the last
Keeper if the Oyate (people) do not straighten up. The assaults upon
Grandmother Earth are horrendous, the assaults toward one another was not in our
culture, the assaults against our People (Oyate) have been termed as
genocide, and now we are experiencing spiritual genocide!
Because of the problems that began to arise with our rebirth of being
able to do our ceremonies in the open since the Freedom of Religion Act of
1978, our Elders began talking to me about the abuses they seen in our
ceremonial way of life, which was once very strict. After many years of witnessing
their warnings, we held a meeting to address this very issue of lack of
protocol in our ceremonies. After reaching an agreement of addressing
the misconduct of our ceremonies and reminding of the proper protocols, a
statement was made in March 2003. Every effort was made to insure our
way of life of who we are as traditional cultural People was made, because
these ways are for our future and all life upon the Grandmother Earth
(Mitakuye Oyasin All my relations), so that they may have good health. Because
these atrocities are being mocked and practiced all over the world, there was
even a film we made called ³Spirits for Sale².
The non-native people have a right to seek help from our ³First Nation
Intercessors² for good health and well-being; it is up to that
Intercessor. That is a privilege for all People that we gift for being able to have
good health and understand that their protocol is to have respect and
appreciate what we have to share. The First Nations Intercessor has to earn that
right to our ceremonial way of life in the ways I have explained.
At this time, I would like to ask all Nations upon Grandmother Earth to
please respect our sacred ceremonial way of life and stop the
exploitation of our Tunka Oyate (Spiritual Grandfathers).
In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Namah¹u yo (hear my words),
Chief Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White
Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle.
I hope everyone subscribed will think and pray about this.
Heather
Blog Disclaimer: This is not a paid blog. I do not endorse James Arthur Ray and he has never compensated me in any way. If the FTC wants to know, I am not compensated in any way by anyone mentioned on this blog. Nothing on my blogs or websites is for sale and I advocate the purchasing of nothing.
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I received two links to blogs that exposing Holzwoth. People sending letters of protest can find useful information to use to convince tribal leaders and others no to support the fund raising activities of this unscrupulous fraud.
It would also be helpful for someone with knowledge and writing skills to self-publish an article on one of the Indy media websites in the areas where White Ego Woman will be appearing:
If you want to stay updated on the protests. Anyone can follow us on twitter and retweet with hashtags #nativeamerican and our tag #DPTP http://twitter.com/dontpaytopray (You don’t even have to have a cell phone, just web access)
If you don’t know what that means, just type:
“RT White Ego Woman continues her deception. Flag her as scam. http://dontpaytopray.blogspot.com #nativeamerican #DPTP @dontpaytopray”
We’ve also been given a list of the addresses and phone numbers of venues, the actual physical places where White Ego Woman will be appearing (These are not the sponsors, but the landlords):
The additional contact info I received follows:
White Ego Woman is appearing September 22, 2009, at: Levittown Hall 203 Levittown Pkwy Hicksville, NY 11801 (516) 933-6400
White Ego Woman will be appearing September 26-27, 2009, at: Coast International Inn 3450 Aviation Avenue Anchorage, AK? 99503 (907) 243-2233? FAX: (907) 248-3796 Toll Free 1-800-716-6199 International +800-800-26278 Email contact form: https://www.coasthotels.com/contactus
White Ego Woman is appearing on October 16, 2009 (7pm-10pm), at: Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church 1845 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793 (516) 785-1247
White Ego Woman is appearing on October 17, 2009 (10:30am-6:30pm), at: Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse 2550 Clubhouse Road Merrick, NY 11566 (516) 868-4650
White Ego Woman is appearing on October 23 (7pm–10pm) and October 24 (10am-6pm), at: Comox Band Hall 3320 Comox Road Courtenay, BC V9N 3P8 CANADA
Contact info for the Comox (Kómox) First Nation Chief Ernest Hardy and Council, K'omoks First Nation
Chief Ernest Hardy Telephone: (250) 339-7122 K'ómoks First Nation 3320 Comox Road Comox, BC V9N 3P8 (250) 339-4545 older number (250)339-7122 Barbara Mitchell Melinda Knox ( Manger) Fax: (250) 339-7053 Website: http://www.comoxband.ca/index.php Email: Email: info@comoxband.ca Cultural Center Telepone: 250-339-7702 Fax: 250-339-7053 e-mail: sales@ihosgallery.com
Kwakiutl District Council Kwakiutl Band Council Chief Marion Wright PO Box 1440 99 Tsakis Way Port Hardy B.C. V0N 2P0 Telephone: (250) 949-6012 Fax: (250) 949-6066
MAILING ADDRESS: Kwakiutl District Council (Administers the KDC Member Nation communities of Kwakiutl, Mamalilikulla, Da’nanxda”Xw, We Wai Kum, Kwiakah, and Komox) Kwakiutl District Council Telehone: (250) 339-6593
P.O. Box 489 CAMPBELL RIVER, British Columbia V9W 5C1 Location Address: 695 Headstart Cres. CAMPBELL RIVER, British Columbia V9W 5C1 Telephone: (250) 286-3263 Toll Free Phone: (866) 999-3263 Fax: (250) 286-3268 Email: kdc@oberon.ark.com
P.O. Box 2490 109 Tsakis Way Port Hardy British Columbia Canada V0N 2P0 Telephone: (250)949-9433 Fax: (250) 949-9677
Kwakiutl Indian Band P. O. Box 1440 99 Tsakis Way Port Hardy British Columbia Canada V0N 2P0 Telephone: (250) 949-6012 Fax: (250) 949-6066
It was also suggested to contact First Nations leader’s in Vancouver, BC:
The University of British Columbia Aboriginal Strategic Plan Task Group http://aboriginal.ubc.ca/contact-us/ Telephone: (604) 822-0307 email: aboriginal.strategicplan@ubc.ca
and
Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre 13629 108th Ave. Surrey, B.C. V3T 2K4 For staff contact or to get more info on programs please call: Telephone: (604)584-2008 Fax: 604-588-1850 Email: reception@sacsbc.org
http://www.sacsbc.org
If anyone has any creative suggestions for educating, protesting and culture jamming this event, post them in the comments or email us at dontpaytopray@gmail.com
Thanks to all of you who've emailed and commented for your support. It's really been overwhelming.
Even after promising not to continue to offend to Native People, Susan Holzworth AKA White Eagle Woman has broken her word and joined forces with yet another fraud, "Medicine Wolf"
As far as we know, the Sedona and Prescott appearance were cancelled due to threats of protests from Indian Country.
However, the Fraud will be appearing in Levittown New York (October 16-18, 2009) and in Van Couver BC (October 23-24th) in the next two months.
We need contact info for AIM groups in the New York Area and Aboriginal groups in the Van Couver area. Please email us at dontpaytopray@gmail.com if you know of groups who could organize a protest in these areas.
Sept. 26-27, 2009 Whole Life Festival: Coast International Inn. Anchorage Alaska
TO PROTEST: Call the Coast International Inn (near Anchorage, AK) 3450 Aviation Avenue, Anchorage, AK Telephone: (907) 243-2233 FAX: (907) 248-3796 Toll Free 1-800-716-6199 International +800-800-26278 Email contact form: https://www.coasthotels.com/contactus NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 22, 2009: Grandmother Drum Film /DRUMMING & SINGING Levittown, NEW YORK (Get ready for White Eagle’s appearance in October!) Presented by Marjorie Harriz, RMT and Karin Tamborello,RMT The film” Grandmother Drum: Awakening the Global Heart” will be shown. This viewing will be followed by an interactive drumming and singing session. Please feel free to bring your drums and rattles. A spectacular door prize will be given away. Sponsored by The Long Island Reiki Connection
TO PROTEST CONTACT: Teri Sarin tsarin@optonline.net
TELEPHONE: 631 486 4577
You can call or email Teri with your protests for sponsoring this fraud, but Reiki groups are very difficult to reason with.
NEW YORK October 16, 2009 CD Release LIVING WATERS OF GRACE ‘Prayerformance’ with White Eagle Medicine Woman. WHERE: Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church, Wantagh Ave. Wantagh, New York WHEN: 7pm to 10pm. TO PROTEST CONTACT: The Long Island Reiki Connection. Email: Teri Sarin tsarin@optonline.net. Telephone: 631 486 4577 Website: www.ReikiConnection.org NEW YORK October 17, 2009 GATE OF GRACE: Sound Healing and the Power of the Drum with White Eagle Medicine Woman. DESCRIPTION: “ A day workshop of sacred music, indigenous teachings, drumming and transformational meditation practices to open the Gate of Grace in the Heart. This Gate of Grace allows for an opening of profound gratitude, forgiveness and lasting peace.” WHERE: Merrick Golf Course Club House on Club House Rd. New York WHEN: 10:30am- 6:30pm. TO PROTEST CONTACT: The Long Island Reiki Connection Email: Teri Sarin tsarin@optonline.net Telephone: 631 486 4577 Website: www.ReikiConnection.org VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA October 23, 2009 CD Release LIVING WATERS OF GRACE Prayerformance with White Eagle Medicine Woman.
WHEN: Friday, October 23, 2009 7pm – 10pm
Where: Comox Band Hall 3320 Comox Road, Courtenay, BC
Description: “CD Release LIVING WATERS OF GRACE Prayerformance with White Eagle Medicine Woman.” TO PROTEST CONTACT: Julie Pelzer telephone: 250-339-5389 Email: jpelzer@shaw.ca All Events Sponsored by: Violet Waters www.violetswaters.com & The Whirling Rainbow Foundation www.whirlingrainbow.com www.violetwaters.com
OCTOBER 24, 2009 GATE OF GRACE: Sound Healing and the Power of the Drum with White Eagle Medicine Woman. WHERE: Comox Indian Band Hall, Comox, BC. DESCRIPTION: "A day workshop of sacred music, indigenous teachings, drumming and transformational meditation practices to open the Gate of Grace in the Heart. This Gate of Grace allows for an opening of profound gratitude, forgiveness and lasting peace." WHEN: October 24, 2009 10:00am- 6:00pm. TO PROTEST CONTACT: Violet Waters. Telephone: Julie Pelzer at: 250-339-5389 Email: jpelzer@shaw.ca Website: http://www.violetwaters.com
Susan has aligned herself with a NEW FRAUD – "Dr. Medicine Wolf" OCTOBER 31, 2009 (Scary Halloween Frauds!) WHEN: 10:30 am (Alaska Time) DESCRIPTION: "White Eagle will have the honor to interview Dr. Medicine Wolf, biophysicist, medical doctor, naturopath, Iroquois medicine man, and one of the world’s leading authorities on monatomic elements. Dr. Medicine Wolf and his partner Ambaya will speak on super conductive mono atomic elements as the purest foods for the Light Body and his 5 Steps to Radiant Health! FREE CALL Conference Dial-in Number: (218) 339-4600 Participant Access Code: 701472#
YOUTUBE ACTION EVERYONE PLEASE JOIN YOUTUBE and FLAG THIS VIDEO!
Please take some time to join YouTube and flag White Ego Woman’s videos and Medicine Wolf’s videos for scam fraud or email or call the above and express your disgust at the activities of these unscrupulous frauds.
If you still don’t know about White Eagle Woman you can learn about her here:
Rowen Cooke 37, Melbourne Australiadied in a sweat lodge November 4, 2004
Kylie Watts, 30 Byron Bay in New South Walesdied in a sweat lodge in 2003
Kirsten"Kris" Babcock 34 Redding, California died in a sweat lodge on June 21, 2002 David Thomas Hawker, 36, of Union City, California died in a sweat lodge on June 21, 2002 Gordon Reynolds, 43 of Twickenham, West London died in a sweat lodge on November 21, 1996 Kelly Rice, 35 of Austin, Texas, housekeeper and masseuse, died of accidental heatstroke inside a sweat lodge in June 1993 Ronald Delgado of Santa Barbara California was killed in Archie Fire Lame Deer's 'Vision Quest' on July 12, 1980
Please remember these victims in your prayers and don't let these deaths be forgotten. They were all human beings and none of them deserved to die like this.
I think that their deaths should be seen as a warning. For thousands and thousands of years, no one died in a sweat lodge. When people decided to sell them, seven people, that we know of, died on 28 years. The act of subjecting spirituality to Capitalism is what makes them poisonous to the spirit. This is what happens when indigenous people lose sovereignty over our own spiritual practices. This is inevitably what happens when one engages in the absurd act of subjecting spirituality to free market forces. Because in Capitalism, the customer is always right. To make the maximum profit, service must be adapted to the greatest number of customers – the lowest common denominators.
The lesson that the frauds refuse to learn is protocol. The counterculture shuns rationality, accountability, sacrifice, discipline and protocol and embraces narcissism and self indulgence. These were never indigenous values. When people reject our protocol out of ignorance and arrogance and try to take the empty form of our spiritual practices, they will harm themselves. They will remain empty. They will lose their integrity, they will lose their money and some of them will lose their lives. The frauds will always try to trick their targets into believing they are following protocol. And most people are too lazy and ignorant to know who to check out their claims.
Many of these people died in sweats held on very hot days around the summer solstice. With the popularity of the twinkie sweat lodge ever increasing there’s an increased probability that someone will die this weekend. Some New Age businesses think it’s enough to force participants to sign waivers. This only protects the business and does not hold the New Age Capitalist accountable for any acts of negligent homicide. To this date, none of the frauds running these deadly sweats have been prosecuted for their crimes. Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society is still running sweats in Australia. When you think about it, it really reveals the true character of people perpetuating this fraud when you see that their primary response to this horrible event was to protect themselves legally in the event of future deaths. This refusal to be held accountable for one’s actions is definitely NOT indigenous.
Don’t Pay to Pray has been keeping statistics on the number and cost of non-NDN sweat lodges since 2001. We found that the average cost of sweats reported to us from people across the United States and Canada has increased from $46.67 in 2001 to $95.00 in 2007 and it skyrocketed to $965.26 in 2008. The number reported to us has risen nearly 900%. It appears that the sweat-lodge cottage industry is not a mainstream high-end service. The popularity of the inauthentic sweat only increases the probability that someone will die this weekend.
The frauds who conduct these sweats are getting bolder in creating specious rhetoric to finagle payment for their services. Unfortunately, a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth in the sustainable community and more and more people are simply taking the frauds at their word. Most are claiming that payment is merely an “exchange of energy” and that it is no longer appropriate just to give the twinkie shame-man blankets, food or gas etc. We’re hearing over and over again that it’s appropriate to give large sums of “energy” (meaning money). As activists, we can’t let our voices be drowned out by those who would commercialize our spirituality.
What does it mean for the future of indigenous spiritual practices when more non-NDN people have participated in sweat lodges than have NDN people?
It was recently pointed out to me that it’s probably now true that more non-NDN people have participated in sweat lodges than have NDN people. Through their numbers and their resources, non NDNs have barged into our communities and have nearly supplanted us from our own cultures. This weekend millions of people all over the world will attend twisted versions of sweat lodge ceremonies believing they are doing something good that is sanctioned by indigenous spiritual leaders. They simply are not.
While the price of the average twinkie sweat lodge is rapidly growing beyond the means of the poorest people, these businesses have priced out everybody but the richest, whitest people from the trendiest sweats. A New Age sweat lodge is now one of the whitest events one can attend. I don’t really think this was completely unintentional. Whether they intend it or not, those who claim to respect our religion are supplanting authentic native people from our own religious practices.
I think that what is necessary to stop this perversion of indigenous spiritual practices is for all the well meaning non-NDNS to start educating themselves and to start looking at themselves in a brutally honest fashion. Indigenous people have no real power to fight the superior resources of those who profit from the exploitation of native spiritual practices, so I think what we need to do is to culture jam -- that is to de-cool the sweat lodge as a countercultural practice. When people who truly support indigenous people start confronting those who brag about attending a sweat lodge and let them know that this contributes to the destruction of native spiritualities and is definitely NOT COOL, then indigenous people will start to reclaim control over OUR birthright. If the well-meaning sustainable/green community can understand why it is essential to simply leave some environments alone, then they can certainly understand why it is essential that they leave our spiritual environment alone. If they truly respect for our spirituality it and wish it to continue, they’ll leave it to us. Native people, not New Age Capitalists, must have full sovereignty over OUR spiritual practices.
The simple truth is this: subjecting Sweat lodges to the Capitalist marketplace is NOT a SUSTAINABLE practice. The counterculture is at a crossroads. Will they choose to leave our spirituality alone so that it can be preserved or will they say and do nothing while it is exploited to extinction? Can the left take an honest look at themselves and make the necessary changes? Or will their hypocrisy continue?
What follows is a list of individuals who are not entitled to conduct sweat ceremonies who are charging people for the service. Some call it “tuition”; some call it a “love donation” some use distorted rationalizations about exchanging “energies”. When you clear away the rhetoric, you have a pay-to-pray scam. Don’t Pay to Pray has been keeping statistics since 2001. We found that this, year the number of pay-to-pray sweat lodges held around the summer solstice has skyrocketed. So has the cost. The actual sweat lodge has become high end entertainment for the privileged classes who are deliberately kept ignorant as to its true meaning and purpose. Please take the time to contact your spiritual and political leaders and tell them of this disrespect. Please feel free to forward this information to whatever tribal organizations you think are appropriate.
UNITED STATES
ARKANSAS
WHO: Jim PathFinder Ewing (who is allegedly Cherokee) and wrote the book, Reiki Shamanism WHAT: 6th Annual Summer Solstice Celebration and World Soul Retrieval Day WHEN: Saturday June 21, 2008 WHERE: Russellville, Arkansas COST: DESCRIPTION: “Sweat lodge and Bear Dance In the Dance, the dancers wear bear skins and “become” the Bear. They “take on” all the ills of the people assembled, and the ills are transmuted into healing power. It is not the dancers who heal the people, but the healing power of the Bear. The wing men keep the dancers bathed in sage smoke, so that the dancers themselves don’t “take on” the illnesses.
“In the shamanic way, we are taught to dance our power animals; we do this to honor them. Anyone can honor their power animals, and I highly advise it, to keep your connection strong. Our power animals guide and protect us; they are always with us. It is good to honor them, by keeping pictures of them around, thinking of them, thanking them, or dancing them. To dance your power animal, allow yourself the time and space to “be” with your power animal – whether it be a bird, fish, whatever – and while listening to a drumming tape, or having someone drum, allow yourself to be guided into a dance. Even if only for a few moments, it can be powerful and refreshing”
“You are encouraged to fast and ask to enter the sweat lodge before ceremonies begin. In the Sweat Lodge, women wear dresses and men wear cut-offs. Hydrate and fast before arrival. Potluck meal to follow - Bring a dish or other food/beverages, if you wish to participate. The sweat lodge here follows Yokuts, Cherokee and other traditions as may be the case with the ways of the water pourer.” http://www.blueskywaters.com/beardancehome.html Contact info: Address: Healing The Earth/OurselvesP.O. Box 387 Lena, MS 39094 Telephone: 601-654-3301 Email: blueskywaters@att.net Website: http://www.blueskywaters.com/ Fax:
ARIZONA
Northern Arizona
Sedona
WHO: Dr. Susan Shumsky WHAT: Journey of Awakening"Summer Solstice Retreat WHEN: June 20 to 23, 2008: WHERE: COST: DESCRIPTION: Contact info: Address: Divine RevelationP.O. Box 7185New York, NY 10116Telephone: 212-946-5132Email: divinerevl@aol.com Website: Fax: June 20 to 23, 2008:Journey of AwakeningSummer Solstice Retreat Dr. Susan Shumsky Divine RevelationP.O. Box 7185New York, NY 10116212-946-5132divinerevl@aol.com
Sedona
WHO: Clay Miller Sedona Aleh-zonSacred Healing Journeys WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: Sedona DESCRIPTION: ”Keep in mind that all my offered experiences are private. They are tailored to your interests and needs. We surrender to the agenda that awaits. COST: 3 1/2 - 5 hours $155.00 per person with two People$115 with three or more people $265.00 for single person” “Base price is $695 for one person and $595 per person for two or more. You can make a deposit of $195 with credit card through PayPal. Or you can send a check to: Clay Miller, 405 W. Yuma St. Cottonwood, Arizona. Deposit for more than one person is $350.” Contact info: Address: Alehzon Sacred Journeys 405 W. YumaCottonwood, AZ 8632686326 Telephone: 928 634-3497 Email: soul@arizonahealingtours.com Website: http://www.arizonahealingtours.com/home.html Fax:
Sedona
WHO: Susan Shumsky WHAT: Journey of Awakening Summer Solstice Retreat WHEN: June 20 to 23, 2008: WHERE: COST: DESCRIPTION: Contact info: Address: P.O. Box 7185New York, NY 10116 Telephone: (212)946-5132Email: divinerevl@aol.com Website: http://www.divinerevelation.org/Retreats.html Fax:
WHO: Maya Rose WHAT: Associated with the Wild Rose Sweat Lodge WHEN: June 21, 2008 WHERE: Northern Arizona – Sedona area DESCRIPTION:” The Shamanic Wild Rose Dreamers Lodge is a center for the study and practice of esoteric healing and psychology, energy work, spiritual astrology and prophecy, metaphysics, and flowering tree and other shamanic ceremonial rituals. Magickal (white magick) exploration of universal and planetary energies, integrating unconditional love and sacred intent, is the focus of the lodge. Led by Dance Chief Lyn “Starflyer” Hopkins, the lodge holds classes on shamanism, conducts vision quest and sweat lodge ceremonies, drum team gatherings, and Eagle Dream Dances. We also design and conduct shamanic healing rituals and ceremonies as needed for particular occasions. “ COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Lyn at starflyer@thewildrose.net Website: http://www.thewildrose.net/ Fax:
SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Phoenix WHO: Deer Tribe Medicine Society WHAT:Sweat Lodges and Pipe cermonies WHEN: Sweat June 6-8, 2008 Pipe ceremony June 21, 2008 WHERE: all over the world COST: $2500 to complete all their ‘gateways’ Website: http://www.dtmms.org Email: RedLodgeAZ@dtmms.org Address: Scottsdale, Arizona Telephone: (480) 443-3851 COST: $2500 to complete all their ‘gateways’ Also in Germany, Italy, Australia, England, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland http://www.dtmms.org/locations.htm
Tucson
WHO: Ku Istan WHAT: Womyn’s Sweat Lodge WHEN: Summer Solstice WHERE: Tucson, Arizona DESCRIPTION: “Prayer in a Native American format. 1st Saturday on/after full moon, 3:00 - 7:30pm. Bring towels, dry clothes for after, a gift for the pipe, food to share for the Potluck after (no pork), a Frog Skin donation ($) to help with expenses, and wood (nails must be removed). Call in advance for info.” COST: (averages $100) Contact info: Address: Tucson, AZ Phone: 520-690-0546Telephone: 520-690-0546Email: kuistan@hotmail.com Fax: Website: http://www.wingspan.org/content/res_category_detail.php?desca=Community&descb=Religious+and+Spiritual+Organizations&totaldescc=Other Tucson
WHO: Reverend Ann Marie Clock, a “manufacturing, process, validation, and electronic documentation consultant” turned white shaman. (her resume: http://www.spiritgathering.com/MyOtherLife.htm) WHEN: June 17, 2008 DESCRIPTION: Reservations are required for Sweat Lodge and sleep over in the Guest Room, $60 Breakfast included “The Buffalo Lodge clears the mind, detoxifies the body and heals the Spirit. This is a nontraditional lodge. It is a place to die and be reborn. ALL MY RELATIONS“ WHERE: The sweat lodge is held in New Mexico in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. CONTACT INFO: Spirit Gathering Tucson Center 7878 W Tree Frog Trail Tucson, Arizona 85735 COST: Website: http://www.spiritgathering.com/default.html Information: Information 520-820-8019 Email: mailto:spiritgathering@comcast.net/
CALIFORNIA
Mount Shasta WHO: Sue Sutton Leland Earth Circle Foundation/Association WHAT: Women’s Sweat Lodges conducted by Thomas WHEN: Saturday June 21, 2008 WHERE: COST: DESCRIPTION: Contact info: Address: Joyce Jones, President Earth Circle Association 501 N. Main St., Yreka, CA 96097 or Earth Circle 2227 P.O. Box 706 Fort Jones, CA 96032 Telephone: 530-842-6157 or Charlie Thom's number is 530-468-2277 or 530-468-2277 Email: jonezee57@yahoo.com Website: Fax:
Mount Shasta/Weed WHO: Spirit of the Wind / Walking Eagle (claims to be a Karuk spiritual leader) WHAT: WHEN: Saturday June 21, 2008 WHERE: COST: DESCRIPTION:” Spirit of the Wind staff welcomes you to the sacred Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremony on the sacred grounds of Stewart Mineral Springs.” Contact info: Address: 4617 Stewart Springs RoadWeed, California 96094 Telephone: Email: Website: http://www.stewartmineralsprings.com/sweat_lodge.htm Fax:
Boulder Creek / Santa Cruz WHO: Char Lynn WHAT: WHEN: June 21, 2008 WHERE: Boulder Creek, CA (Santa Cruz Mountains) DESCRIPTION: ”June 21st we are celebrating our connection to the Earth Mother. We will hike in the redwoods, share a potluck dinner, create and talk around an evening fire and weave together a Dream Circle inside the Sweat Lodge Grandmother. I ask for a $40-100 donation to honor the land, the materials, and time invested in this ceremony.” “June 21st we are celebrating our connection to the Earth Mother. We will hike in the redwoods, share a potluck dinner, create and talk around an evening fire and weave together a Dream Circle inside the Sweat Lodge Grandmother. TIME: 3-10pm COST:$75 or $140 for the whole weekend's ceremony June 22nd we step into the Santa Cruz Mountain's Indigenous Medicine Wheel for teachings of our 'Spiraling Growth,' share a meal together (provided), create art from our hearts and dance the Medicine Wheel Pole of Alignment. “ “ROOM TOWELS: ROOM TOWELS ARE FOR ROOM USE ONLY! Please do not take Room towels to the Bathhouse, Indian Sweat or Creek. Towels for these activities will be provided at the Bathhouse. Guests violating these rules will be charged the cost of a new towel.” “Stewart Mineral Springs reserves the right to vary our prices, vary charges and to amend any of our Rules and Regulations at any time as we see necessary.” COST: $20.00 MINIMUM donation TIME: 9:30am-4:30pm COST:$75 or $140 for the whole weekend. Overnight accommodations available: Zen Garden Room (1 queen bed, can be shared) $75/room Mountain Roon (2 twin beds, shared) $80/room Sun Room (2 full beds, shared) $80/room Peacock Room (single air mattresses, indoor camping) $30/person Outdoor Camping available- $10/person Breakfast will be included for all overnight guests. Rooms available first come basis.” Website: http://spirituality.meetup.com/243/calendar/7991970/ Contact info: Address: Telephone: 831-338-2996 Email: charlynn@weavingunity.com or MtnChar7@aol.com Fax:
CALIFORNIA
Fortuna
WHO: Rosalind Skyhawk Ojala of the Loving Hands Institute CLAIMS: Rosalind claims to be an Interdenominational Minister, a Metis Pipe Carrier, a Ceremonial Sweatlodge Leader, the Chief Of the Pan American Indian Association Thunderbird Clan of Redwood River Lodge, and a Life Member of the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. WHAT: Sweat lodge WHEN: Saturday June 21, 2008 11am - 4pm WHERE: DESCRIPTION:”The ceremony is based on the Based on the Sacred Tree Teachings. COST: Tuition $1500 Contact info: Address: Loving Hands Institute 639 11th StreetFortuna, CA 95540 Telephone: (707) 725-9627 Email: mailto:%20skyhawk@northcoast.com Website: http://www.lovinghandsinstitute.com/htm/dr_ojala.htm Fax: (707) 725-2471
Palomar Mountain WHO: Kevin Norton is leading the sweat. He claims to have been following a Native spiritual path since 1993 with the Cheyenne River Lakota community in South Dakota. He claims to be a pipe carrier in the Lakota tradition and to have participated in 5 Sundance’s and many years of purification ceremonies. “His life partner Lisa Ezzard, who is a Moon Dancer and amazing woman, has participated in the Dansa de la Luna in Mexico for the past eight years with women from around the world. This ceremony takes place near the Sun and Moon pyramids on lands sacred to the Nawatil people. Together Lisa and Kevin lead the Purification Ceremony (Inipi). Their balance between the warrior and the sacred feminine is a powerful and moving experience.” WHAT: Spirit Weekend Traditional Style Native American Purification Ceremony WHEN: September 22-23, 2007 or October 13-14, 2007 WHERE: Pacha Mama's Grove on Palomar Mountain, CA 18187 Nate Harrison Grade RoadPalomar Mountain, CA 92060 (not a mailing address?) COST: $85 DESCRIPTION: “Traditional Style Native American Purification Ceremony. Come celebrate the Birthing of a New Lodge at Pacha Mama's Grove on Palomar Mountain, CA.”Contact info: Address: Telephone: (619)865-3905 Email: susie@pachamamasgrove.org Website: http://www.pachamamasgrove.org Fax:
PASADENA WHO: Wild Rose sweat lodge Starflyer (AKA Lyn Hopkins, M.S.W., Ph.D.) is chief of the Wild Rose Dreamers Lodge WHAT: The Wild Rose Dreamers Lodge founded in in 1993 by Lyn Hopkins, continuing today as Lodge Chief and Drum Team Chief. She offers weekly shamanic classes, sweat lodges, ceremonial weekends and shamanic healing. WHEN: Summer Solstice sweat Saturday June 21, 2008 6:00 pm and also the weekend June 27, 2008 – June 29, 2008 WHERE: Pasadena, California Lightning Point Campground at Angeles Crest COST: $65 per class $200.00 for the weekend (includes camp fees, teachings, materials, ceremonies and individual feedback) DESCRIPTION: Lynn Hopkins claim to conduct ceremonies comes from her study with Thunder Strikes, Humbatz Men, Don Miguel Ruiz, Wallace Black Elk, the late Sun Bear. She is the author of THE MEDICINE WHEEL AND YOU Luminous Egg Cocoon. “Beginning with the Harmonic Convergence, followed by the 11/11, the 12/12, the August 11th Eclipse, the May 5th, 2000 Planetary Alignment, and the Harmonic Concordance. Lodge Chief Lyn "Starflyer" Hopkins, Ph.D., and her Assistant Director, Shama, CHT, CDC, TDE have joined the lightworker community to sponsor ceremonial conclaves to work with the magickal energies of this time of history. Their intent is to connect with light workers throughout the world in order to awaken our divine nature and take our power as sacred humans by helping to sculpt the New Dream for the Age of Aquarius. The May 5th, 2000 event was held at the Wright Land in Malibu, California, sponsored by Lyn and Shama and The Wild Rose Dreamers Shamanic Lodge. We commemorated the Birthing of the New Dream, the planetary alignment of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn - all within 27 degrees of Taurus. See the Planetary Alignment page to find out more.” Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Lyn at starflyer@thewildrose.net Website: http://www.thewildrose.net/ Fax:
San Diego
WHO: Gadohi Usquanigodi of San Diego / Ven. Running Wolf is leader of the Thunder PeopleWHAT:Sweat Lodge Ceremonies WHEN: the second Saturday of each month @ 4pm WHERE: DESCRIPTION:” We are a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Native American Spiritual Center, offering monthly sweat lodge & prayer circles. Mission Statement: Our mission statement is to provide a safe place to pray and form community with others, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation or beliefs. Additional Information; Sweat Lodge Ceremony is the last Saturday of each month @ 10 am. Prayer circle is the second Saturday of each month @ 4pm. We offer workshops and additional ceremonies” COST: You must be a member, minimum donation is $25.00 Gadohi Usquanigodi Native American Spiritual Center P.O. Box 578 Inola, OK74036-0578 Contact info: Address: 1450 Starship St San Diego, CA Telephone: (619) 766-3316 Email: Eaglewomen1177@aol.com or mailto:gadohi@laplaza.org Website: http://www.gadohi.org/contact.htm Fax: San Francisco
WHO: Bay Area Pagans WHAT: Litha Sweat Lodge WHEN: WHERE: DESCRIPTION:” Bay Area Pagan Sweat Lodge Energy Medicine DowsingLabyrinthCore Bits DowsingMen's Sweat LodgeWomen's Sweat LodgeHarrison Hot Springs Dowsing” COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Website: http://bapa.net/ Fax:
COLORADO
Fort Collins
WHO: Christina Eala A Place for Every Woman's Spirituality CLAIMS: “Christinia Eala is considered a young elder among the Lakota People. The Divine Feminine nudged her awake at a very young age and after much searching, her primary passion is following the Red Road, the Spiritual Path of the Lakota. She has worked helping others to bring Wicosani (a Lakota word meaning ?Balance in the four aspects of one?s life?- mental, physical, emotional, and Spiritual) back into their lives.” WHAT: WHEN: Saturday, June 21, 2 to 6 p.m. ? WHERE: COST: Cost: $30 or $125 for the entire series DESCRIPTION:” When attending an Inipi ceremony (sweat lodge), it appears deceptively simple. You go into the lodge and pray, get out, smoke the Sacred Pipe, eat, and leave; ah, but there is so very much more to it than this. This final workshop will advise how to ?sponsor? a sweat lodge ceremony in a good and sacred manner” Contact info: Address: 1304 S College Ave #6 Fort Collins, CO 80524 Telephone: 970-556-3111 Email: Website: Fax:
CONNECTICUT
Newtown WHO: Vicky Lagoudis who is a “metaphysical practioner, a Reiki Master and a Transformational Healaer(sic)” WHAT: DAY of HEALING & SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY~WHEN: Sunday June 22nd 9:00 am – 4:30 pm WHERE: Newton Connecticut COST: $95 Advance sign up is required, space is limited.DESCRIPTION: “Please join us for an entire day at Sticks and Stones as we celebrate this season of the year and of our lives. The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is the traditional Native American way of cleansing body, mind and spirit. Experience a more balanced relationship with ourselves, the Earth and all that surrounds us as we cleanse our bodies of toxins, our minds of negativities and help to heighten our spirits. Men and woman both welcome.”This journey of renewal will take you through a Morning Tea, Sweat Lodge Ceremony, Healthy Vegetarian Lunch, Guided Woodland Walk and afternoon” Contact info: Address: Sticks and Stones East 201 Huntingtown Road Newtown, CT 06470 and Sticks and Stones West Pahoa Hawaii Telephone: (203)270-8820 or Cathy (203) 938-3195, Email: cwheels33@sbcglobal.net for info: Annie: anniesands@gmail.com Website: http://www.sticksandstonesfarm.com/ Fax:
OXFORD
WHO: Medicine Wind Society Lori-Ann Locke pours the lodge CLAIMS: Money goes to the Lakota WHAT: Open Sweat Lodge WHERE: 500 Chestnut Tree Hill Road, Oxford, Connecticut. WHEN: monthly COST: DESCRIPTION: “Although I am of Cherokee ancestry, I make no claim to represent the Cherokee Nation in any capacity. ““the Shaking Tent or Spirit Calling Ceremony was once one of the most widely known and used ceremonies in North America. Among the Crow, Gros Ventre, and Blackfoot the ritual was most often performed by female medicine elders. Respected female healers and ceremonialists “ CONTACT INFO: TELEPHONE: 203-815-5365 EMAIL: lori-ann@sweatlodges.info or kangipejuta@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.sweatlodges.info FAX:
Suspicious appeal to money for Pine Ridge http://www.sweatlodges.info/id76.html
DELEWARE
Georgetown Washington DC /Deleware
WHO: Troupe of the Starry Door Jim Welch, RN HNC was formerly High Priest of Keepers of the Holly Chalice, the founding coven of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel. He has been active in the Wiccan/Pagan community since 1981. He was the chair of the committee that wrote the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel's code of ethics. He teaches a variety of workshops that focus on ethics. He is a Waterpourer and conducts Sweat ceremonies using Wiccan protocols. WHAT: Wiccan Litha Sweat lodges WHEN: Litha: Saturday, June 21, 2008 WHERE: 14914 Deer Forest Road Georgetown, DE 19947 DESCRIPTION: COST: Contact info: Address: Seelie Court 14914 Deer Forest Road Georgetown, DE 19947 Telephone: (302) 855-9422.Email: Website: http://www.sacredwheel.org/tsd/ Fax:
GEORGIA
Hiawassee
WHO: Gary Adler FourStaris currently the President of the Many Horses Foundation an organization dedicated to the elders, the children, the earth, wild horses and earth cultures and teachings. Gary is an enrolled member of the Costanoan-Rumsen Carmel Tribe (Ohlone), and the son of Jerome FourStar, an Assiniboine Elder from the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana CLAIMS: WHAT: Enota Mountain Retreat Sweat Lodge CeremonyWHEN: June 28 2008 (Saturday) at 2:00 p.m WHERE: DESCRIPTION: “Everyone who joins us on the property must be a conservation member of Enota. There is a $10 conservation membership fee per person per visit. This fee is an impact fee on Enota's land which is in trust. There is also a $10 facility fee for each person participating in ceremonies. This fee covers the operational and maintenance costs of producing ceremonies at Enota. There is no charge for ceremony, however please understand that the Ceremony organizers incurs substantial costs to perform the ceremony (rocks, woods, blankets, gasoline, etc.). It is customary in the Native American Tradition to honor the sweat facilitator and fire keepers with some type of offering. In the past this has been with food and blankets. Currently a monetary offering is a more appropriate exchange for services and benefits derived from the ceremony.” COST: minimum $20.00 Contact info: Address: 1000 Highway 180Hiawassee, GA 30546Telephone: 706-896-9966 800-990-8869 Email: debby@manyhorses.org Website: http://www.manyhorses.org/ Fax:
Talbotton
WHO: Rose Hill / SomaVeda Institute The leader for this ceremony will be Dr. Anthony B. James LMT, ND, MDAM. Dr. James a fully adopted Crow tribal Member of the Whistling Water Clan, son of the late medicine man Floyd Realbird. Cost: there is no charge for ceremony however we are holding this on SomaVeda Institute property , SomaVeda Institutes regular day fee of $7.00 per person applies for all activities on the premises. This applies whether you sweat or walk in the gardens! CLAIMS: “The leader for this ceremony will be Dr. Anthony B. James LMT, ND, MDAM. Dr. James claims to be a “fully adopted Crow tribal Member of the Whistling Water Clan, son of the late medicine man Floyd Realbird. Dr. James is one of four living persons given the Crow Chanupa or pipe ceremony directly by Chief Realbird. Dr. James was introduced to the Sweat Lodge ceremony by the late elder Sun Bear of the Bear Medicine Tribe, progressed in his education under Charla and Tarwater of Spirit Wind (Cherokee Nation, Ala.), trained under Crow medicine men and women on Crow Agency, Montana for seven years. He was also assistant fire keeper at the first three Sun dances (Pipe Carriers Sun Dance) held at the Memorial at Pipestone National Monument under Sun dance Chiefs Chris Leaf, Clyde Bellecourt, Leanard Crowdog and others. Dr. James was given the right and honor to conduct the sacred lodge by his adopted father, Chief Floyd Realbird (Past president NAC- Native American Church), Robert Littlelight (Past President NAC) and Richard Realbird (Past President Crow Nation, Gary Owen , Montana). Additional training and authorization was received from Acasio Acatecatl Oltehua Spiritual Leader and healer, born in the Nahuatl Nation of Veracruz , Mexico. The Tehkulle of Kalpulle Olmeca in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and the spiritual leader of Kalpulli Tonal Teokalli in El Paso Texas.” As we are peoples from many and various backgrounds the lodge is set up and run in an eclectic fashion suitable for this purpose. This means elements of tradition are borrowed and incorporated from Crow, Ojibway, Lakota, Dakota, Cherokee, Huichol, Tarahumara and Rainbow traditions as described by Black Elk, Sun Bear, Floyd Realbird, Tarwater, Acasio Acatecatl Oltehua and Ed Mcgaa of Mother Earth Spirituality and . Prayers will be made, Sacred fire fashioned and water pored in a good way. We begin and end with the pipe ceremony. This ceremony will be made clear for beginners and elders alike. All good people are welcome. The Lodge will be co-ed.”: http://www.thaiyogacenter.com/tyc/sweat.html WHAT: Full Moon Coed Sweat Lodge WHEN: Saturday June 21st. 2008 WHERE: The SomaVeda Institute 390 North Washington Ave. Talbotton, GA 31827 Located in the Piggley Wiggley Shopping plaza! COST: DESCRIPTION: Contact info: Address: The Thai Yoga Center PO Box 367, Talbotton, GA 31827 Telephone: (706) 358-8646 Ask for Dr. J, Julie or Michael! Email: itta@core.com Website: http://www.thaiyogacenter.com/ Fax:
ILLINOIS (odorless twinkie sweat lodge) WHO: Relax4Life Center WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: Barrington, IL COST: $60 non-refundable donation which goes to St. Joseph's Indian School DESCRIPTION: ” Note* the "sweat" that is released during the ceremony tends to have no odor, so the ceremony feels very cleansing to all.” “As a reminder: for the sake of those with environmental allergies, you will not be permitted to participate if you or your clothes are fragrant. Perfumes, Colognes, Scented Skin Cremes/Hairsprays/Lotions/Deodorants/Shampoos, Aromatic Oils are just a few of the products that are not permitted in or around the center. There is also no smoking of cigarrettes in or on the property.” “Ceremonial Gift: Terry Kinsey, the sweat leader, follows a Buddhist tradition of DANA, or mutual giving. It has supported monks in the Buddhist culture for 2500 years. The monks offer their guidance and the people support the monastery and fill the monks’ begging bowls each morning as they walk through the village on alms rounds. It is a beautiful exchange, in which the hearts of both the giver and receiver are opened in joy and gratitude, and love flows between them. Terry donates his time and energy as our lodge leader and does not receive any money for doing so. If after a lodge, you wish to offer Terry some money in appreciation of his time and energy (which he donates to charity), it will be warmly and gratefully received. A DANA bowl will be placed in the "feasting" area with his name on it toward the end of each lodge experience. You are always very welcome here whether or not you choose to or are capable of placing a donation in the DANA bowl for Terry. “ http://www.relax4life.com/sweatlodge.html Contact info: Address: Telephone: (847) 842-1752 Terry Kinsey, the sweat leader at 708-383-3957 Email: mailto:relax4life@comcast.net Or terrykinsey@comcast.net Website: http://www.motherearthadventures.com/ Fax:
MICHIGAN
WHO: Shirley Jons CLAIMS: Lakota WHAT: The Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival WHEN:August 5, 2008 - WHERE: Hart, Michigan DESCRIPTION: COST: 5 days $420.00 Contact info: Address: WWTMC Box 22 Walhalla, MI 49458. Telephone: (231) 757-4766 Email: Website: Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/michfest Fax:
MARYLAND
Darnestown WHO: Brooke BrodyWHAT: WHEN: June 14, 2008WHERE: Meet at Potomac Pathways. Transportation provided from here.COST: DESCRIPTION:” We will be doing a Native American Sweat lodge, which you may be familiar with. Lunch will be provided, and everything that you will need to have an awesome and safe experience. You can expect to have a meaningful and an awesome experience. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring: swim suit and at least one towel (I recommend two). See you there!”Contact info: Address: Potomac Pathways 15720 Seneca RoadDarnestown, MD 20874 Telephone: (301) 987-7284 Email: bbrody@potomacpathways.org Website: Fax: (240) 246-7851
MASSACHUSETTES
Plymouth
WHO: Sanctuary Studios WHAT: Sweat Lodge, WHEN: Saturday, June 21st begins at sundown, please call for registration - spaces are very limited. WHERE: Downtown Plymouth, MA DESCRIPTION: COST: Contact info: Address: 47 Court Street Plymouth, MA 02360 Telephone: (774) 454-7290 Email: Website: http://www.thesanctuaryofplymouth.com/ Fax:
MICHIGAN WHO: Rebecca Medicine Owl (AKA Rebecca Denton-Wuerth )Center of Light Spirituality Center WHAT: Native American Sweat Lodge WHEN: June 21, 2008 WHERE: Oxford, MI DESCRIPTION:” Join us in Sacred Ceremony As Rebecca Medicine Owl leads us in a powerful sweat lodge” COST: A LOVE OFFERing for the The Center is traditional ($10.00) “In Native American tradition the community took care of ALL the Medicine Mans/Womans needs, as they took care of the communities needs. We hold to this tradition. Contact info: Address: 5898 Baldwin Rd. Oxford, MI 48371 Telephone: (248) 236-0432 Email: Website: http://spiritualitycenter.centeroflight.us/html/SweatLodge.html Fax: THEY HAVE A GUEST BOOK! http://us.1.p8.webhosting.yahoo.com/gb/view?member=colcom33
MONTANNA
Billings
WHO: Dreamweaver Lodge Jaqui Thier WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: 45 minutes south of Billings, MT near theRed Lodge Mountain Ski Area, the Beartooth Highway and the northeast entrance to Yellowstone Park. East of the Crow Indian reservation COST: “Dreamquests” cost DREAM QUESTS: $1250 for six day and $1500 for a seven day DESCRIPTION: ”The Rainbow Lodge was given to me in 1990, by a native woman of African American and American Indian ancestry. In the world of ordinary reality, she is a social worker and also a native healer and teacher. I was introduced to her by my Qigong teacher at a time when I was preparing for my first vision quest which took place in the summer of 1990. To honor her privacy, I will call her Oya after the African Goddess. She and others helped me to prepare for my quest and the gift of the lodge and its ritual was part of that preparation. In the spring of the year, the Rainbow Lodge was built by me and the women who were part of a Ceremonial Circle that met monthly at my home in the mountains above Boulder, CO. Oya conducted a "Consecration of the Land Ritual", naming me as Keeper of the Land and the Lodge. She instructed me and the women in the building of the lodge and conducted the first sweats for us while tutoring me in the ritual. At that time, the lodge was primarily a woman's lodge. Honoring the feminine principal through this earth centered ritual has always been a strong focus of the lodge even after we began to conduct co-ed lodges.” http://www.dreamweaverlodge.com/sweatlodge.html Contact info: Address: Jaqui Thier, M.A.P.O. Box 1686Red Lodge, MT 59068Telephone: (406) 445-2517Email: info@dreamweaverlodge.comWebsite: http://www.dreamweaverlodge.com Fax: Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Website: Fax:
WHO: Turtleshire Mountain Ranch WHAT:Solstice Sweat Lodge WHEN: WHERE: Turtleshire Mountain Ranch Magdalena New Mexico DESCRIPTION: “Full Moon is on the 21st of June during Solstice ceremonies where there are evening sweat and fire ceremonies “Spirit names are given to those who do not know their names by which the spirits know them. There is medicine in your spirit name. Your medicine, who you are, have been and will be. The medicine of your soul that you have, that is you, that you can learn to share with others. The pipe also sometimes awards clans, the totem medicine of your brothers and sisters in the spirit world. Teachings of the four shields and the four directions are passed, and some learn in which direction of the wheel they were born. This helps them understand their medicine even further. The pipe will sometimes take things from us that are no longer ours to carry, or give things to us as need demands. When the circle is complete, when all the helping and healing spirits that have come are finished, the lodge pipe is closed and it is on to the next ceremony.” COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Website: learn@turtleshire.org Fax:
Ruidoso/Alto
WHO: High Mesa Healing Center in Ruidoso New Mexico Barbara Mader WHAT: Sweat Lodge WHEN: weekly – Saturday June 21, 2008 WHERE: It’s just past the KOKOPELLI, Gated Community! DESCRIPTION:” Here at High Mesa the Lakoka Sioux Ceremony is practiced. While the sweat lodge itself is simple enough to describe, the actual experience cannot be rendered in words. You have to participate in it to truly realize its fullness and depth. From the preparation of the fire, covering of the frame, making the tobacco prayer ties and on through the many facets of the ritual, the seeker is involved in a sacred inner journey that can be profoundly transforming. Every second Saturday of the month, weather and fire conditions willing, we celebrate this ancient method of purification through the ceremony and pot-luck meal afterwards.” http://www.ruidoso.net/highmesa/sweatlodge.html COST: Contact info: Address: 101Mader LanePO Box 834Alto, New Mexico 88312 Telephone: 505.336.7777Email: http://www.sonnie@gmackre.com/ or highmesahc@beyondbb.com Website: http://www.ruidoso.net/highmesa/MainHome.html Fax: 505.336.4808 (also a fax) Santa Fe
WHO:The Swan Foundation WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: DESCRIPTION: NORTH RETREAT:COST: “4 Day January 23rd - 26th, 2009 Only 4 participats for both.$940 7 Day: January 23rd - January 29th, 2009Extended retreat includes experiencing more of the Santa Fe area.$1300 Includes: Food, lodging, program and transportation.” “A $50 non-refundable deposit is due within 10 days of booking. Remainder of balance due 60 days prior to start of retreat.” Contact Info: Address: Heyokah Retreat Center7 Avenida Vista Grande, #326Santa Fe, NM 87508 USATelephone: 505-989-8981 Email: info@swanfoundation.org Website: http://www.heyokahcenter.org/id4.html Fax:
NEW MEXICO
Galisteo
WHO: Vista Clara Ranch Resort & Spa Julie Rivers and Dona Wilder CLAIMS: “Julie Rivers returned to her Indian "heart" felt roots when she and her partner, a Cochiti Indian, owned and operated a tour business that took visitors to the Pueblos, ruins and ceremonies in northern New Mexico.” Julie claims to be a water pourer for the intertribal purification "Sweat" lodges .Dona Wilder, a registered nurse, spiritual leader and counselor returned to New Mexico six years ago to assist Julie at the Heyokah Center in expanding the programs offered. Julie and Dona claim to have had the opportunity to experience Pueblo, Seneca, Cherokee, Shumash, and Lakota traditions” WHAT: Weekly Sweat Lodge WHEN: June 21, 2008 WHERE: Northern New Mexico nestled in the historic Galisteo Basin just twenty minutes south of Santa Fe COST: 3 night summer weekend special $1,549.00 per person http://www.vistaclara.com/int.php?re=news-specials DESCRIPTION: “Julie leads our guests in discovering the native way of viewing life through the Medicine Wheel. These Teachings explore the Seven Cardinal Directions North, East, South, West, Mother Earth, Father Sky and the Sacred Space within. Learn the subtle meanings of the tribal drums, the heartbeat of the Mother Earth, and how each of us connects with the earth and the sky. Guests will conclude the evening by creating their own Medicine Bag as a reminder of the cultural experience. After lessons in Ancestral Ways, our guests are invited to join Julie and Dona in a purification ceremony in the sacred Sweat Lodge at Vista Clara Ranch. This ritual is challenging, yet has been carefully designed for the novice. It releases toxins from the body, while anxieties of the mind are replaced with quietness of inner peace. The spirit is rejuvenated with the feeling of unlimited freedom. The celebration of new beginnings continues by sharing a traditional native meal prepared by Vista Clara Ranch's Executive Chef.” http://www.vistaclara.com/int.php?re=visit-fitness-sweat A $1500 weekend package includes:Luxury Southwest Lodging, Two Massages or Body Treatments, One Yonka Facial, One half-hour Manicure or Pedicure, One half-hour Reflexology or Hikers Foot Massage,All Scheduled Fitness Classes, All Scheduled Activities, Three Gourmet Meals Daily Snacks, Use of All Resort Facilities, Native Ancestral Ways Program, Sweat Lodge Ceremony, Breathtaking Views of the Galisteo Basin, Special does not include service charge or taxes” Contact info: Address: Vista Clara Ranch Resort & Spa40 Camino Vista ClaraGalisteo, NM 87540 Telephone: (505) 466-4772 Email: Website: http://www.newmexico.org/relax/resorts/vista_clara.php Fax:
Jemez Springs
WHO: Wolf Martinez and Hunter Flournoy “Wolf will once again be supporting the Summer Retreat. He will be offering his "Transformational Body Therapy", a incredible blend of body work and spirit work. He also will be supporting us in many other ways, as only he can. Wolf is a two spirited, third gender, walks between worlds student of life. He has studied extensively with keepers of traditions in the Amazon, Andes, Mexico, and across North America as well as learning the Oriental medicinal practice of Shiatsu from a Japanese Master. Combining the medicine ways of the ancients, along with intuition and spirit, Wolf has developed for 10 years his practice of "Transformational Body Therapy". He has also been given the privilege to lead the Pipe Ceremony and Sweat Lodge “ “Hunter Flournoy (pictured right) is a lover of life and a messenger of life's sacred passion. A shaman, seer, poet and storyteller, he distills the deepest wisdom of the Toltec, Christian, Sufi, Buddhist, and indigenous healing traditions of the world into a crystal clear vision of personal revolution. Hunter is a teacher in the Toltec Eagle Knight lineage of Don Miguel Ruiz (author of The Four Agreements), a shamanic healer in the lineage of Rebecca Crystal, facilitates healing sweat lodges, and serves as a pastor for Amigos de Dios, a mystical Christian fellowship. Hunter has an MS in counseling, an MFA in creative writing, and has been coaching individual clients and leading workshops in intuitive awareness, holistic healing, and personal freedom for fifteen years in the US and Mexico. For more information on Hunter visit http://www.newdestinies.com/.” WHAT: 16th Annual Summer Retreat WHEN: August 11, 2008 to August 17, 2008 WHERE: Jemez Springs, New Mexico DESCRIPTION: This Retreat is for Gay and Bi Men COST: $1295.00 A deposit of $300.00 is required to reserve space for this journey. To register, use the "Register for this Journey" button on this page. Payment in full is requested by June 27, 2008 Contact info: Address: Spirit Journeys 134 River RoadNew Milford, NJ 07646 Telephone: VOX: 828-258-8880 VOX: 800-754-1875FAX: 828-281-0334 Email: info@spiritjourneys.com Website: http://www.spiritjourneys.com Fax:
NEW YORK WHO: Sparky Shooting Star WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: The Center for Symbolic Studies New Paltz, New York DESCRIPTION: COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: (631)766-5936 or Liz (917)294-8636 Email: Eesh21@gmail.comWebsite:
NORTH CAROLINA
WHO: Deer tribe medicine society Scottsdale AZ 13 Moon Mystery Schools Sandpoint Idaho Dolphin Star Temple Mt Shasta CA Philip Thunder Panther Trice - Sweat Lodge Chief of the 13 Healing Moons of the Great Turtle Mystery School. He is a graduate of the 13th Moon Mystery School Kivas, Earth Lodges, and Butterfly Clan Métis Medicine Way Apprenticeships in Stephanie Rainbow Lightning Elk has been on the Metis Medicine Path since she was 12 years old. She is of the Twisted Hairs Metis Cherokee lineage, a massage therapist, author, playground/workshop leader, co-chief with Guy Lone Eagle of the 13th Moon Mystery School Kivas of North Idaho and co-founder and co-chief with the former Guy Lone Eagle of the Butterfly Clan of Northern Idaho (1999-2002), and a FireMedicine Woman of Chuluaqui-Quodoushka traditions WHAT: WHEN: June 6-8, 2008 and July 5-12, 2008 WHERE: DESCRIPTION: This one has a white dog teacing! Kitchie kahuna is a Medicine Wolf Dog COST: “Each weekend or New Moon “Turtle” of training has a fee exchange of $610 with a commitment fee of $2440 due prior to Sept. 14, 2007. This commitment fee is a prepayment for the last four Turtles. Ceremonial Week has a fee exchange of $2500. Half of the cost will be due prior to Ceremonial Week. “ “That which does not serve you will die in the Sweat Lodge ceremony. You will experience meditation and receive the teachings of Wheels and Keys of Wisdom. You will learn to heal others as you yourself are healed. You will be in a group, moving together with a sense of community and intimacy on a path of beauty and joy.”Great Turtle Mystery School will be held in beautiful North California. Call for details. Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Phillip mailto:ptpt@nworiginaryarts.org%20 Website: http://www.greatturtlemysteryschool.net/index.htm Fax:
Swannanoa
WHO: Zoe Bryant WHAT: Solstice Full Lovers Moon Sweat Lodge WHEN:June 21, 2008 WHERE: Swannanoa, NC COST: DESCRIPTION: “June is called the "Full Lover's Moon" or to the Natives "The Making of Fat" or "Strong Sun Moon"” “Come early and we will clean and revitalize Sun Bear's Medicine Wheel which he dedicated on this land over 20 years ago.’ http://spiritualism.meetup.com/274/calendar/7397705/ Contact info: Address: 302 Old Fellowship RD Swannanoa, NC 28778 Telephone: (828) 298 3935 Email: Website: Fax:
OREGON
Beaverton
WHO: WHAT: An Earth Awareness Festival WHEN: June 19-22, 2008 WHERE: Silver Falls State Park (the Ranch Area)DESCRIPTION:” A Magickal three day camp-out!An Earth-friendly event honoring diversityand promoting Earth Harmony worldwide!” COST: $150.00 per person Contact info: Address: 9598 SW Whittford Ln Beaverton OR Telephone: Kathy (503) 319-1273 (503) 502-1415 Email: Website: http://www.earthgatherings.org/ Fax:
Detroit
WHO: Breitenbush Retreat and Conference Center WHAT: WHEN: June 12, 2008 WHERE: Just outside Salem Oregon near the Cleator Bend Campground DESCRIPTION:” Breitenbush is privileged to offer a sweat lodge once a month which is open to everyone, free of charge. Traditionally, participants make offerings to the leader and fire tender such as pipe tobacco, spiritual gifts, food or money. Breitenbush also appreciates any offerings that offset the costs of wood and caring for the leaders. Participants are responsible for any other Breitenbush services they use (hot springs, meals, lodging...reservations are required and space is limited). Please call (503.854.3320) in advance if you wish to attend the Sweat Lodge Ceremony.” COST: $92.00/night to stay in a cabinContact info: Address: Breitenbush Hot SpringsPO Box 578Detroit, OR 97342 Telephone: (503) 854-3320 Email: office@breitenbush.comWebsite: Fax:
Salem
WHO: Robin Lynne Rainbow Feather WHAT: Solstice Sweat Lodge WHEN: June 20, 2008 2 pm WHERE: RiverBank Farm in Surrey County - about 50 minutes North of Winston-Salem Riverbank Farm, a quiet sanctuary, is located along the Dan River and is only a 20 minute drive from Pilot Mountain DESCRIPTION: “Robin began her training with Will Rockingbear, a Cherokee Teacher and Healer in Western North Carolina. She now holds weekly healing circles, a bi-monthly Clan Mothers Circle, as well as private healing sessions and ceremonies. Robin offers healing through the Soul Retrieval Ceremony, Twin Heart Dreaming Ceremony, Calling Ceremony and other ceremonies; and vibrational, energetic healing through Tibetan Singing Bowls, Native American Drumming, Laying-on-of-Hands, Sacred Feathers, Stone Medicine Beings and Animal Totems.”
Robin began facilitating monthly Clan Mother Circles (based on The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams) in 1991, after experiencing the Clan Mothers for herself. They not only assisted Robin in her own feminine journey and personal healing but shared with her the ceremony of Twin Heart Dreaming to assist others in healing their own wounded hearts.” “Please join us for the Little Boys and Little Girls Arapaho Sweat Lodge with Water Pourer Zoe Allison-Rockingbear to celebrate the Summer Solstice. This is a gentle, balanced sweat lodge for men and women, adult and child, beginner and experienced. COST: Because I work in the native, traditional way, I do not have a set fee or cost for the services I provide. However, monetary gifting is appropriate. This is the way I feed my family and earn my living. The amount you gift is entirely up to you. My teaching from my elders is that I show up to do my work and the amount you gift to me is between you and Spirit. There is a gifting bowl in the Flower Eagle Medicine Lodge for your monetary gifts. Cash is preferred but checks are acceptable. Contact info: Address: Robin Lynne 2960 Bennington CourtWinston-Salem, NC 27106 Telephone: (336) 416-7553 Email: robin@flowereagle.com Website: http://www.flowereagle.com/cd_info.cfm http://www.flowereagle.com/www.flowereagle.com Fax:
PENNSYLVANIA
Center Valley
WHO: Snow Star Raven Hawk WHAT: WHERE: Center Valley, PA Eight miles South of Allentown WHEN: COST: DESCRIPTION: “She also conducts Native American Sweat Lodges & Medicine Wheel Ceremonies, Monthly Circles, Marriage Re-dedication & Baptism Ceremonies. Spiritual readins performed in a sacred space are also available. Sacred Path and Medicine Cards are tools used in these spiritual channelings and have been designed to bring spiritual messages & initiate healing. She also performs reiki, shamonic, crystal healing, teaching and ceremonies. She will read for someone over the telephone “ CONTACT INFO: TELEPHONE: (610)351-9428 EMAIL: WEBSITE: http://www.freewebs.com/snowstarravenhawk FAX: Youtube: Spiritual Reading with Snow Star Raven Hawk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEf41AdmEzY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEf41AdmEzY
Malvern
WHO: Jim Frank and Byron Katie WHAT: Malvern Sweat Lodge WHEN:June 21, 2008 WHERE: COST: ” How much does it cost? : Money is a problem, isn't it? The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is our prayer and you can't buy it at any cost. But people do need to make a contribution and money is the most common way. We open our home and there are expenses. We put out a basket at the pot luck and donations are anonymous. Donations go to cover expenses. If each person attending contributed $20 the lodge would be self sustaining. So plan on a give away donation of labor, fire wood, or money.” DESCRIPTION: Today, at age 63, Jim Frank maintains a standing sweat lodge at his home in Malvern, PA. Since 1995 we have kept a standing sweat lodge in the way taught to him by Beautiful Painted Arrow, Joseph Rael.” Contact info: Address: P.O. Box 503, Malvern, PA 19355 Telephone: (610)-648-0953 Email: jim@malvernsweatlodge.com or mailto:info@malvernsweatlodge.com?subject=more%20info,%20please Website: Fax: NOTE: As of May 5, 2008, all workshops have been canceled in Malvern
RHODE ISLAND
Providence
WHO: WHAT: Rhode Island Sustainable living Festival sweat lodge WHEN: WHERE: Enviromental Education Center: 451 Hammet RoadCoventry, Rhode Island DESCRIPTION:” The Deadline for registering is Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 (Earth Day). After the deadline, call to check availability. Space is limited! Make checks payable to The Apeiron Institute, 17 Gordon Ave, Suite 207, Providence, RI 02905, or register on-line at http://www.apeiron.org/” COST: The cost of the 2-day Earth Awareness Retreat & Sweat Lodge Ceremony is $150 including 3 meals and on-site camping accommodations. Contact info: Address: Apeiron Institute 17 Gordon Ave, Suite 207 Providence, RI 02905 Telephone: (401) 228-7930 Email: nfo@apeiron.org Website: http://www.apeiron.org/ Fax:
TENNESSEE
Pinewood/Nully WHO: Laughing Winds/Recovery Ranch Dede Beasley Sweat lodge facilitator CLAIMS: Sweat Lodge Ceremonies are performed by therapeutic staff with extensive training in the Lakota Sweat Lodge Tradition” WHAT:Theurapeutic Sweat Lodges WHEN: WHERE: DESCRIPTION: Equine Therapist and Jeanmarie Guthery (Mama), Animal tender says: “We have learned from one of our teachers that the wheel can be understood as a symbol of this journey called life; a guide for our own self-discovery. Like life our wheel has undertaken many changes. The design came in a vision after Jeremy and Davids first trip to sundance. They also found the center stone on that trip a 60# piece of rose quartz crystal. “ “At Laughing Winds we use our wheel to celebrate birth and honor death. We go there to pray, meditate, and to practice listening. Our wheel is filled with all kinds of healing herbs. The wheel reminds us of our own beauty. We share with others how the wheel helps guide us on our journey back to self.” “The Sweat Lodge process provides several invaluable therapeutic opportunities, including the opportunity to recognize and overcome habitual responses to fear, discomfort, and self-judgment; mobilize new coping responses to these common relapse triggers; increased awareness of internal visceral and affective responses and their impact; recognition of personal defense mechanisms; movement from intellectualized and rationalized self-expression to more authentic, feeling-based expression; and supported opportunities for clients to ask for what they need.” COST: All inclusive; except airfare, $1,495.00 per person double occupancy Contact info: Address: The RanchP.O. Box 38 Nunnelly, TN 37137Telephone: (615)446-4594 or Call Toll-Free: 800-849-5969! Email: Website: http://www.laughingwinds.com/index.php?p=Home http://recoveryranch.com/recovery/default.asp?page=lodge Fax: 931.729.9632
Washburn
WHO: Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center WHAT: Summer Solstice Celebration sacred circle cosmic walk WHEN: June 21, 2008 7:00 pm Vision quest June 21-29, 2008 WHERE: Mac Smith Resource Center at the Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center COST: $50 deposit is due by March 15, 2008 DESCRIPTION: ”Participants will experience several days of preparation and training, a time of fasting alone on a mountain near Narrow Ridge Center, and several days of processing including a sweat lodge ceremony. Past participants have reported significant increases in clarity about life directions, decisions, and purpose, in addition to finding the experience profoundly restorative in terms of feelings of health and well-being. Vision Quests have been part of the rites of passage of many different cultures since time immemorial.“ Contact info: Address: Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center 1936 Liberty Hill Rd. Washburn TN 37888 Telephone: Mitzi Wood-Von Mizener at 615-419-6970 or (865) 497-2753 Email: community@narrowridge.org or mitziz1@bellsouth.net Website: http://www.narrowridge.org/ Fax: They have a guestbook! http://www.earth-learning.org/page.aspx?navid=2437
TEXAS
West Point
Mary Thunder Sweat Lodge WHO: Mary Thunder, Leonard Crow Dog, JoAnn Parks, Sparky Shooting Star WHAT: WHEN: Saturday June 21, 2008 WHERE: Thunder Ranch West Point, Texas DESCRIPTION:” “Fasting before a ceremony is very beneficial could heighten awareness. If you are too hot in the lodge, please wait until the song or the prayer is finished before speaking up and telling the water pourer you need help. The Old ones used to say, “It is supposed to be hot. Keep your face to the ground and breathe in the coolness of the Earth, let go of what may be holding you back, and pray hard.” Within the sweat lodge, when you are offered water to drink, remember this is the lifeblood of the Earth Mother, feel its healing energy flowing through you. The length of the ceremony can vary greatly depending upon the leader and the participants. Let Sweat lodge leader and Spirit guide you. After leaving the lodge it is best to rinse your body to wash away the toxins you have released and to close your pores. If you have to wait for your lodge to begin, please be patient, and use the time to consider what you want to release and what prayers you would make for yourself, your loved ones, your Earth Mother and your relations upon Her. This is a very powerful healing ceremony, I have seen many heal! “ COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Website: http://www.marythunder.com/SpiritualServicesEvents/Events/Sweatlodge/SweatLodge.htm Fax:
Fort Worth
WHO: Randy Crow Parsons WHAT: WHEN: Saturday June 21, 2008 WHERE: Fort Worth, Texas area DESCRIPTION: COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: 817 221-3772 Email: sacredtreeusa@yahoo.com Website: Fax:
UTAH
Salt Lake City
WHO: Queer Spirit nonNDNs Jerry Buie and John Cottrell WHAT: Weekend retreats for gay men shamanic sweat lodgges WHEN: monthly WHERE: Windwalker Lodge in Spring City, Utah COST: DESCRIPTION: “Although Buie is not Native American, he was taught to pour Sweat – that is, to conduct the Lodge – by Ute leader Carolyn Sanders and closely mentored by several Elders. He has participated in Lodges for 12 years and has poured them for nine. He regularly pours “two to three” times each month for the Utah community.“Auntie Brucie invites you to queer summer camp” http://queerspirit.blogspot.com/ Contact info: Address: Telephone: Email: Website: www. queerspirit.org Fax:
VIRGINIA
Charlottesville
WHO: Katy Cannon, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia WHAT: public art piece "Our Sweat" WHERE: Charlottesville University of Virginia between Dell I and Ruffner Hall. WHEN: Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. COST: DESCRIPTION: ” Cannon said, "This structure of a sweat lodge is universally known, yet, for each culture it has a unique and specific use. The aim of my work is to find a way to bridge cultural specificities through this universal structure." Those attending this performance should bring a rock or similar item that can be heated and then wet to produce the steam for the sweat lodge.” CONTACT INFO: TELEPHONE: 804-387-1672 EMAIL: kgc5e@virginia.edu WEBSITE: FAX:
Gore
WHO: The Land Celebration WHAT: Solstice sweat lodge ceremony WHEN: Friday, June 20-Sunday, June 22, 2008 7:00 am Saturday WHERE:Virginia COST: $250.00 for festival plus “love offering” for sweat DESCRIPTION:” Summer Solstice Retreat at The Land Celebration Our 10th Annual Summer Solstice Retreat featuring workshops on Color Therapy, Building Your Dreams, Sweat Lodge Ceremony, Wellness Wash, yoga, and the music of Armand and Angelina. Swimming pond, hot-tub, three labyrinths, medicine wheel and meditation trails.” “While our Lodges are based in the Native American tradition, we honor many other paths as well, and the gifts of all are welcome to be shared in the Lodge.” http://www.thelandcelebration.org/lchapel2/sweat.htm Contact info: Address: The Land Celebration 411 Three Oaks Drive Gore, VA 22637 Telephone: 540-858-2776 Email: info@thelandcelebration.org Website: http://www.thelandcelebration.org/ Fax:
WASHINGTON
Tacoma
WHO: WHAT: Change of Seasons Sweat Lodge Summer Solstice Sweat LodgeWHEN: June 21, 2008 - June 22, 2008 2 pm WHERE: DESCRIPTION: “Inuit Sweat Lodge to Celebrate the Solstice with Gratitude. Spend the night, bring a tent, sleep under the stars. RSVP” http://seattle.consciouschoice.com/calendar/6/21/2008 COST: $10 donation for wood if possible or some kind of energyTobacco offerings if you have special prayers Contact info: Wayne and Dianne Address: 5425 S. K StreetTacoma, WA 98408Telephone: (425) 760-2918Email: info@ unionwithtruth.com info@unionwithtruth.com Website: http://www.unionwithtruth.com/Fax:
WEST VIRGINIA
Elk Garden
WHO: Chief Lightning Wolf (Sweat Lodge facilitator)Water Pourer- Leonora Lantella and the Fire Tenders:Mole Woman and Rainbow Spider Founded by Vince Lombardi. Vince's multi-cultural background comes from having traveled the world extensively including several places in the Middle East (Jordan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates), parts of South Asia (India, Nepal), Europe, Central America (Costa Rica, Mexico) and the whole USA WHAT: Sweat Lodge Ceremony -- A Guided Spiritual Journey:In Native American tradition and style WHEN:June 21, 2008 WHERE: Abram's Creek Lodge & Campground Meet at the Peaceful Spirit Sweat Lodge between Campsites #5 and #6 in Sector I.DESCRIPTION: native American style Sweat Lodge, Ceremony, and Ritual.Liability waiver required. http://www.abramscreek.com/cautions.html COST: $20 donation to Lodge Facilitators (under 18, $10 donation). Cash or Check in advance please Contact info: Address: Abram's Creek Retreat & CampgroundRR 1 Box 118Elk Garden, WV 26717 Telephone: Lodge House - Campground: (Business Only) 304-446-5383 Social Calls: 304-446-5113Vince Cell: 703-328-1840Email: vlombardi2003@msn.com Website: http://www.abramscreek.com/Lodge_schedule.html Fax: They have a guest book!!! http://www.theguestbook.com/sign.php/617146
CANADA
MANITOBA
WHO: Robert Currie WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: COST: DESCRIPTION: “Wir Sprechen Auch Deutsch. We have been supplying high quality eco-adventure canoe trips to the national and international market since 1996. Our packages are all inclusive and include hotels, food, and special add-ons such as beluga whale watching tours, First Nations Sweat Lodge ceremonies and tours of various Canadian National Historic Sites.” Contact info: Address: Wilderness Spirit 696 McMillan Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3M 0V1 Telephone: (204)452-7049 or 1 (866) 287-1591 Call tollfree (in North America) 1 (866) 287 1591 or 1 (204) 452 7049 Email: Rob@WildernessSpirit.com Website: http://www.wildernessspirit.com/ Fax: (204) 452-7049
ONTARIO
Barrie
WHO: WHAT: Shamanic healing retreat at WHEN: WHERE: located at 461 Penetanguishene Road (Hywy 93), RR # 1 Barrie, Ontario 461 Penetanguishene Road here in Barrie Ontario DESCRIPTION: “We are Rainbow Spirits , Eclectic thinkers, following a Multi-Cultural Medicine Way. We offer you a glimpse of multi-cultural spiritualism through products, resources, services, workshops and events from around the world.” COST: Contact info: Address: 461 Penetanguishene Road Barrie Ontario Telephone: Email: Website: http://earthandskyconnection.com/dcontent/13042 Fax:
Guelph Ontario
WHO: Dirt Time Trackers (The does anybody know how to do this? Sweat) WHAT: Summer Solstice Sweat Lodge and Tipi Finishing GatheringWHEN: Saturday & Sunday June 21 & 22, 2008 WHERE: the home of Kathy & David Browne which is 20 minutes north of Georgetown, just south of Erin. Arrival can be anytime after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning DESCRIPTION: “As noted already, we will be having a Sweat Lodge. We will require 2 people to facilitate the Sweat. We need a Sweat Chief and a Fire Keeper. The Sweat Chief manages the entire Sweat with the assistance of the Fire Keeper who takes care of the fire and heating the rocks. There is much more to these roles. These simple definitions don't even scratch the surface of their true job descriptions. If you would like to participate in either of these roles, make yourself known to the group. Dress code for the Sweat is a bathing suit or similar attire. We expect to start the fire at 7:00 p.m. and enter the Lodge around 9:00 p.m.” COST: Contact info: Address: Telephone: Kathy Browne at (905) 702-9649 Email: brownes@tbcinc.com Website: http://www.dirttimetrackers.com/invites/solstice-06-08.htm Fax:
Orangeville
WHO: Kerrie Dancing Butterfly WHAT: WHEN: July 16th ~ 20th, 2008 WHERE: DESCRIPTION:” Kerrie Dancing Butterfly will be leading the ceremonial aspects of the retreat including the Fire Offering Ceremony, Cofacilitating the Sweat Lodge and initiating the daily intentions. Kerrie will also be offering Private Shamangelic Transformational Empowerment Healing Sessions and Spiritual Card Readings.“ COST: Investment in Your Health is $695-$1095 US depending on choice and availability of accommodations. Contact info: Address: Ecology Retreat Centre Journeys for the Soul 978 Temple Hills Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Mailing Address: 308046 Hockley Rd. RR#1, OrangevilleOntario, Canada L9W 2Y8 Telephone: 949.294.2966 Email: journeysforthesoul@hotmail.com or mailto:bookings@ecologyretreatcentre.com?subject=Contact%20Email%20from%20the%20ERC%20website Website: http://www.journeysforthesoul.com/summer_rejuvenation_july_2008.htm Fax:
MEXICO
San Miguel de Allende
WHO: Casa Dharma PATRICIA FELDMAN GONZALEZ Patricia is one of the pioneers of spiritual life in San Miguel, having made this her home for the past 25 years. She is a gifted communicator with experience in community building, groups,meditation and practical spirituality. Early in life she began a path that led her to Tibetan Buddhism. Her teachers include Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Chogyam Trungpa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Patricia has dedicated her life to nurturing others on the path to spiritual enlightenment. BEN-ZION Ben Zion Ptashnik, a former State Senator from Vermont, was born in Jaffa, Israel, the son of Holocaust survivors. Ben-Zion has been in service for most of his adult life, first as a peace activist, and later organizing organic farmers, consumer cooperatives, and environmental organizations. He is the founder of the Stopnitz Fund, a charitable foundation which is dedicated to human rights, cultural survival, and the elimination of genocide WHAT: Summer Solstice Sweat Lodge and Children's Sweat Lodge with Roland WHEN: June 18, 2008 8:00 a.m. Sweat Lodge Camp - June 21, 2008 – June 22, 2008WHERE: Bestwood Country Park DESCRIPTION: “Celebrate the Summer Solstice with a weekend of sweat lodges, children’s sweat lodge building, ceremonies and healing. For further information please contact Jason Sewell” COST: A charge applies to this event and pre-booking is essential Contact info: Address: Telephone: 0115 956 9603 International & Mexico: +01 52 415 152 6336 Direct US Line: 802 526 1020 Email: Jason: turtlelodge@btinternet.com info@casadharma.com or groups@casadharma.com Website: http://www.casadharma.com/san-miguel-events.asp Fax: 01 52 415 152 8986
EUROPE
United Kingdom Devon WHO: Sacred Earth Camps offer sweats conducted Sun Eagle Heart (AKA Bethlehem Taylor), an alleged Rainbow Elder and Pipe Carrier, and Lodge-Leader Whispers-in-the-wind (AKA Sara Drew). WHAT: Sweat Lodges WHEN: June 13 –15, 2008 WHERE: Tiverton, Devon COST: ” Cheques payable to:- Sacred Earth Please send to:- 3 Rainbows, Stoodleigh, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 9QQ Now, let us begin to build the second teaching wheel. The wheel of the six directions - the wheel of the spirit Grandmothers and Grandfathers. So, we now introduce another dimension which gives the wheel tension. This represents the dynamic of opposites - duality and our place as humans on the wheel of life.(left) The Polar Axis . costs 25 English pounds” “3 Day Camps - £90 (Concessions £85) 4 Day Camps - £120 (Concessions £110)One Day Sweat Lodge - £30Includes good vegetarian FoodPeople faced with a long or difficult return journey may stay over until the Monday.” DESCRIPTION: ” All the shamanic tools you need for personal empowerment and transformation. The four days, with two sweat lodges, allows us more time to explore the mystery teachings of the medicine wheels: Pluging energy leaks. Increased vitality and inner radiance equals increased heightened awareness. Earth energy healing alignments using the drum, connects us to the spirit.” Contact info: Address: Rainbows, Stoodleigh, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 9QQ Telephone: 01884 881467 Email: Website: http://www.sacred-earth-camps.co.uk/ Fax:
Crowborough
WHO: Eagles Wing Centre For Contemporary Shamanism WHAT: Women's Sweat Lodge Ceremonies Spring and Shaman and Men's Sweatlodge Weekend WHEN: June 21, 2008 WHERE: Hourne Farm, Crowborough, TN6 2SQ DESCRIPTION: COST: £150; Deposit: £50 Contact info: Address: Eagles Wing Centre For Contemporary ShamanismSteel CrossHourne Farm, Crowborough, TN6 2SQ Telephone: Email: Website: Fax:
AUSTRALIA
WHO: Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society (SOTEMS) NOTE: This is the group that was responsible for the negligent homicide of Rowen Cooke in 2004 Website: http://www.sotems.com.au/sweat_lodge.htm
Western Australia Mixed Sweat Lodges Every Thursday 6:30pm Brad 08 9331 2461 Fremantle
Mens Sweat Lodges Every Sunday 6pm Paul 0414 224 269 Fremantle
Womens Sweat Lodges First Friday of the month 6pm Erycka 0419 332 558 Fremantle
Southern Australia AT MCLAREN VALE Women's Dark Moon Sweat Lodge 7pm Contact Prue to confirm details Prue 0419819089 McLaren Vale
Mixed Full Moon Sweat Lodge 7pm Contact Prue to confirm details Prue 0419819089 McLaren Vale
PLEASE NOTE If the forecast temperature is 35 degrees Celsius or above the sweat lodge will be Mixed Sweats 2007
Every Sunday at 6pm First Sweat 2008: 3 February
Book on Sweat line 95135959 CERES cancelled. Please check the weather forecast before coming.
Men's Sweat Lodge First Monday of the month 7pm First Men's sweat 2008: 4 February, 3 March, 7 April, 5 May, 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 1 Sept, 6 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec. Book on Sweat line 95135959 CERES
Women's Sweat Lodge First Thursday of the Month 7pm First Women's sweat 2008 7 February, 6 March, 3 April, 1 May, 5 June, 3 July, 7 August, 4 September, 2 October, 6 November, 4 December. Book on Sweat line 95135959 CERES
Men's Initiation By Invitation 10 & 11 Nov 2007 Kamalesh Mobile 0427224604 Bunyip State Forest Shamanism for Women Travelling the Worlds of Self 7-9 March 2008 16-18 May 2008 26-28 September 2008 21-23 November 2008 Residential Workshop Phoenix Institute 95104264 Healesville
Shamanic Practice Workshop 10 & 11 May, 2008 Phoenix Institute 95104264 Healesville
Shamanism for Men 28 & 29 June 2008 Phoenix Institute 95104264 Phoenix Prahran
Queensland Sweat Lodges For details contact Martin Kornaus 0410 286 746 Rocklea Brisbane Men's Sweat Lodges 6pm First Sunday of the month Contact Les to confirm details Lez 0439494633 McLaren Vale
You can see for yourself what kind of offensive and disrespectful behavior goes on at these unauthorized sweat ceremonies. There are several offensive Sweats that have been videotaped on put on Youtube:
Please join YouTube, give them a low ranking, make comments and flag the videos you see fit.
Ward Churchill, Academic, Literary and Indian Fraud
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, July 26, 2007
FROM: American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council
Ministry for Information
PRESS CONTACT: Vernon Be...
AIM TRADEMARKS
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*SPECIAL NOTICE*
The names and graphics displayed on our Website, AIMOVEMENT.ORG, our
letterhead, publications and merchandise are the exclusive U.S. P...
Geneva Institute on Indigenous Peoples
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If you are a law student interested in studying abroad, the University of
Tulsa offers a program in Geneva relating to Indigenous people. The 2009
program ...
Cobell settlement
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U.S. Department of the Interior
Date: December 8, 2009
Contact: Kendra Barkoff, 202-208-6416
Frank Quimby (202) 208-7291
Melissa Schwartz (DOJ) 202-514-2007
...
Supreme Court Grants Cert To Two Indian Law Cases
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Last term was seemingly so busy, it is hard to believe that the Supreme
Court is back at it again. Today, the Court granted certiorari to two more
Indian l...
Young Earth Creationism = Darwinism?
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READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY AT SKEPTICBLOG “News flash: skeptics hack
the Answers in Genesis website!” Or, at least, that was the joke Skeptic
co-publishe...
