The Sacred Ground
Family is very honored and overjoyed that our home, this
magic mountain (Pryor Mountains) have been selected as the
site for the First International Sundance, this year and
every other year hereafter. This is the fulfillment of many
prophecies and the fulfillment of many of our dreams.
Wherever you are, Dance this ‘Celebration of Life’ into your
heart and join us in spirit. Participation and Donation
information is at the end of this announcement.The First
International Sundance August 29-September 2, 2007
 The International Sundance will bring together peoples
from the four directions in sacred ceremony to honor the Great
Spirit, our Mother Earth, all life and the wisdom of the Elders. It
will be a powerful time of prayer for individual and community
healing, peace, guidance, and to restore balance between female and
male energies. This gathering is unique because for the first time
ever Elders from around the globe will come together to add their
traditional ceremonies and teachings to the time-honored wisdom and
practices of the Traditional Sundance of the first peoples of North
America. In 2007, the first International Sundance will be held on
sacred ground in Montana. Then each year, the International Sundance
will travel to a different location around the world including
Hawaii, Australia, Central America, Africa, Asia & Europe. Each
one-of-a-kind gathering will honor the traditions, ceremonies and
wisdom of the host cultures as well as those of the Traditional
Sundance and other international participants.
The Traditional Sundance is a very sacred ceremony, and
central to the culture of the first peoples of the Northern Plains.
It has been conducted every summer for thousands of years to honor
the Great Spirit and to pray for the well-being and protection of
the people. The ceremony takes place outdoors on sacred land. A
circular Arbor is constructed around a central Sundance Tree.
Sundancers fast from food and water for four days while they pray
and dance inside the Arbor around the Sundance Tree. They are
accompanied by traditional drumming and singing. Supporters and
helpers do not fast; however, they fully participate in the ceremony
through prayer and service to the community. As one experiences the
spirit of the Sundance, a feeling of cleansing & rebirth often
occurs as a result of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
challenges inherent in the Sundance ceremony. Everyone has the
opportunity to take the life-changing teachings and unique
experiences gained with them to practice and share with others in
their lives.
Why Now? We’re living at a time unique in all of Earth
history. We sense the shift in energies. We observe extremes in
polarity all around us, and we experience the accelerated pace of
change. The wisdom-keepers of the Earth’s indigenous traditions have
faithfully carried prophecies for millennia telling of this special
time of transition at the close of an era. This is a sacred time of
choice. We are setting the energies for a new time. What do we want
that to look like? What kind of future are we creating for our
children?
The Elders know that right now, like at no other time before, we
have the opportunity to wake-up, open out hearts and minds, and
understand the truth of our interconnectedness with all life. Time
is of the essence. We must begin to consciously choose to heal and
restore balance to ourselves and our relationships with our fellow
humans and our precious Mother Earth. It is imperative that we act
now to create a future of peace, harmony and healthy abundance. The
International Sundance is a one-of-a-kind experience essential to
reawakening humanity at this special time through reconnecting with
Mother Earth and the timeless teachings of Elders from many
cultures. As we are all related, the power of our collective healing
prayers and loving intentions will reach across the globe to all
members of our Earth family. Through this experience together, we
will find the inspiration, guidance and clarity of will to co-create
sustainable solutions to current world challenges, and a joyful
future for generations yet to come.
Setting. The International Sundance 2007 is being held in
Montana on beautiful, pristine land that is home to abundant
wildlife including a growing herd of native buffalo and Mustang
Paint horses. Also, there are several natural springs of exceedingly
pure water on the grounds. In honor of this sacred place, every
effort will be made to minimize the human impact on the land. For
example, attendance at the International Sundance is by invitation
only. We will pack in and pack out again all supplies and facilities
required to conduct the ceremonies and to house and feed the
participants. Also, only biodegradable and ecologically responsible
materials will be used on site. Not only will participants
experience the rare and seldom-shared traditional wisdom teachings
provided, but they also will have the opportunity to learn,
first-hand, skills necessary for living sustainably and in harmony
with the natural environment.
How You Can Help. We’re still gathering the necessary
resources for the International Sundance including travel expenses
for the international Elders and drum groups; ceremonial supplies
for the Sundancers; and tools, building supplies and equipment to
house and feed the participants. Your financial support for this
unique and important ceremony is greatly appreciated. Remember, the
International Sundance is all about community support, and every
little bit helps!
If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, please make
out your check to World Council of Elders and send to:
Mailing address: World Council of Elders, PO Box 7915,
Boulder, CO 80306.
If you have any questions or would like to help out, please
contact us at:
Woody Vaspra, International Sundance Chief & World Council of
Elders President
woody@worldcouncilofelders.org
Catie Johnson, World Council of Elders Executive Director
catie@worldcouncilofelders.org
Donate Online
To make a single donation of your choice via credit card, PayPal or
e-check, please see
World Council of Elders
You do not need a PayPal account.
Thank you for your support !
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