Programs
Ceremony | Sacred Site | Youth Program | Aboriginal Awareness | Igniting The Fire
Round Table | Celebration of Giving | Vision Walkers | Vision Quest
SUMMARY COMING SOON!
Third International Roundtable Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge: ON WATER
Suquamish Longhouse, Pacific Coast, April 30 & May 1, 2011
April 30 & May 1, 2011 - the Third International Roundtable Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge took place, focusing on the issue of Water. The Roundtable was organized by Turtle Lodge and generously hosted by the Suquamish Tribal Council in their new Longhouse, in the homeland of Chief Seattle, on the Pacific Ocean. Co-chairs Anishnabe Elder Dave Courchene and US Congressman Dennis Kucinich led the Roundtable of invited traditional Indigenous peoples and peoples from all cultures & walks of life. A ceremony of gratitude was performed for the Water. Participants discussed joint initiatives for action, founded on spiritual connection.
More information coming soon!!
SUMMARY OF SECOND INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE
SUPPORTING ANCIENT INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
US Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., September 7-8, 2010
View photo album of the event.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At the invitation of Congressman Dennis Kucinich, in response to a vision by his wife Elizabeth Kucinich, the Second International Roundtable Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge was held from September 7-8, 2010 at the US Capitol Building. Native North American Elders and representatives from different cultures gathered from Canada and the USA as part of the Turtle Lodge delegation, bringing a message about the significance of Lady Freedom.
"The United States Capitol has the unique distinction of having Lady Freedom atop the Capitol Dome, watching over the land that our people refer to as Turtle Island," recognized Anishnabe Elder and Roundtable Co-Chair, Dave Courchene. "To our people, she represents the spirit of Mother Earth, in recognition that the Earth has a spirit - the spirit of woman. In our journey coming here, we express the significance and importance of woman, our mothers, grandmothers, and Mother Earth. We honor woman by acknowledging that we owe our very existence to the Earth." Courchene went on to define the foundation of Freedom as being embodied by the Seven Sacred Teachings. Each teaching is connected to an animal, which represents the connection to Mother Earth.
The historic meeting was in follow up to the First Roundtable and a process initiated by Courchene in May 2010, at the Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba. Courchene and Kucinich have co-chaired both Roundtables, geared toward bringing forward ancient Indigenous knowledge to help humanity reconnect to the Earth and bring the children back into the center of our lives internationally.
Highlights:
1. Indigenous understanding was brought of Lady Freedom, representing Mother Earth and embodying the Seven Sacred Teachings, represented by seven animals: Love (Eagle), Respect (Buffalo), Courage (Bear), Honesty (Sabe), Wisdom (Beaver), Humility (Wolf), Truth (Turtle). When these Seven Teachings are lived, there is Freedom.
2, The importance of Native North American Elders sharing these Seven Teachings with the youth was emphasized.
3. Agreement was made to launch special initiatives for young people entering adulthood. These initiatives have now been made public - Click here.
4. A Youth representative raised concern for the worldwide treatment of animals.
5. Special prayers were performed in the Rotunda of the Capitol, directly below the statue of Lady Freedom. Native North American Elders gathered in a circle around a small child in the center and prayed that all children would find their spirit of freedom.
6. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were held with the Paa Ba Ma Sa Gay (Treaty #3) Drum in the Potomac Atrium in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and the Royal Botanical Gardens on the front lawn of the Capitol, respectively. This drum, carried by the Anishnabe Nation from Central Canada, has played an integral role in both Roundtables."The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth, opens the hearts of man and carries a message and prayers of peace throughout the world," the Elders explained.
7. The concern for Water was brought to the forefront. It was agreed that a Third Roundtable be launched to focus on the issue of water. This is expected to take place in Seattle in 2011.
SUMMARY OF FIRST INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE
SUPPORTING ANCIENT INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
Turtle Lodge, Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba, Canada
May 14-17, 2010
From May 14-17, 2010, the Turtle Lodge organized, led and hosted the first International Roundtable Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge, near the geographical center of the continent on the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. This gathering was supported by the Paa Ba Ma Sa Gay Traditional Drum (Treaty #3), which offered its gift of sacred songs, nurturing, strength and assistance with uniting the People of all Nations.
The Roundtable was co-chaired by Anishnabe Elder David Courchene and U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who is highly regarded for his human rights advocacy record. Special invitations were made to 32 selected individuals from around the world to attend this gathering to speak and stand for peace, principles of fairness and human rights, and a restoration of balance in Mother Earth’s ecosystem. Indigenous spiritual leaders from across North America, and delegates from countries including Canada, the United States, Japan, Great Britain, New Zealand, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Brazil, Greenland, and Germany attended this highly successful gathering, supported by recent President of the United Nations General Assembly, Father Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann. Delegates came to agreement and resolution to support the following collaborative initiatives that would help highlight Indigenous knowledge to help humanity reconnect to the land and bring the children back into the centre of our lives internationally:
1. To initiate an International Youth Music Festival, that would bring together musically talented youth from around the globe who would highlight a message of peace, reconnection to the land and perspective informed by ancient Indigenous knowledge.
2. To initiate Youth Roundtables, whereby youth, mentored by traditional Indigenous elders, can connect with the land and learn respectful traditions and values that will guide them to inspired leadership in the coming generation as leaders of tomorrow.
3. To further develop the support provided for the existing sacred Turtle Lodge that supports the sharing of ancient Indigenous knowledge, focusing on youth, and to extend that support to the construction of similar Indigenous Turtle Lodges in the four corners of the Earth that would model and reflect Indigenous knowledge specific to their geographic areas.
4. To hold a second International Roundtable Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge in Washington, DC, this time by the invitation of Roundtable Co-Chair U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich on Capitol Hill.
The First Vision Walkers Recognition took place on May 15, 2010, as part of the First Roundtable Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge.
View photo album of the event on Facebook. (Photos by Adriana Capozzi)
INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY
News Series on International Roundtables Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge: First ~ May 14-17, 2010 (Turtle Lodge, Sagkeeng F.N., Manitoba), Second ~ September 7-8, 2010 (US Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.)
Follow the grandmother's guidance, September 10, 2010
Courchene: Rites of Passage. Abinoojii Ka kii kwe win and supporting the grandmothers, August 30, 2010
Canada's racist policies to blame for national tragedy, August 23, 2010
Manitopyes: Our survival depends on indigenous knowledge, August 20, 2010
Manitopyes article also posted with photos on Iqra.ca, August 31, 2010
[1].jpg)