The Pacific North West Council of Water Protectors
is a coalition of indigenous and non-indigenous supporters
who carry forward the fire that began at Standing Rock N.D.
in 2016 to protect our sacred water and maintain
the sovereignty of tribal nations.
MNI WICONI
WATER IS LIFE!
HEALING THE SACRED WATER OF THE NORTH WEST
The Council is guided by our indigenous Elders on organization protocols, spiritual practices, and direct actions by council members. Our indigenous Elders model respect and take the lead in all sacred ceremonies.
John Buzz Nelson
PNWCWP
RETREAT & THANK YOU DINNER
2020
ABOUT OUR ELDERS
As a Native American culture, we have always looked to our spiritual elders who have been guided and directed by our ancestors and who can teach us of the ancient prophecies. some of the many messages have always been about things like: leaving a place better than you found it, exchanging a fair value when you take something; respecting honoring and loving mother earth and all living things, and that there are times to be quiet and times to take action.
OUR VISION
We envision a regional Medicine Gathering of indigenous and non-indigenous supporters to continue protection of our sacred waters and to teach self-sufficiency for our families. Participants will honor the spiritual protocols which guide the camp.
SERVICES
Medicine Gathering III
“Healing The Sacred Water of The Northwest”
September 10th -12th 2021
Hosted by
Pacific Northwest Council of Water Protectors
We envision a regional Medicine Gathering of Indigenous and allies to continue protection of our sacred waters and to teach self-sufficiency for our families. We are a coalition of Indigenous and non-Indigenous supporters who carry forward the fire that began at Standing Rock to protect our sacred water and maintain the sovereignty of tribal nations. The council is guided by our Indigenous Elders on organization protocols, spiritual practices, and direct actions by council members. Our Indigenous Elders model respect and take the lead in all sacred ceremonies. We decide on fundraising strategies and which Indigenous communities to support through fact-finding and group consensus, with guidance from our Indigenous Elders. We welcome like-minded and dedicated individuals who seek to protect our Earth Mother and the spiritual beings and relatives gifted by our Creator. This year, we are partnering with the Future Generations Collaborative.
First Indigenous Nations Society (FINS) - Kúusʔayn Páax̣am ‘War Dance for the Water’
Mission - To initiate Páax̣am in close relation of its truest belief and practice where all is given in preparation to take on the spiritual journey of protecting our sacred waters through the unity of shared knowledge and ideals.We envision this through intergenerational pairing which allows for a direct transfer of knowledge resulting in empowered youth and stabilized communities.
CHECK IN: Is required for all. Please check in at the first aid tent close to the road in the Eagle group site. You will be asked a couple of screening questions and provided information about how we are social distancing.We are sorry but we cannot allow any unvaccinated children under 12 at the gathering this year. It is such a loss for us. However, we have to keep our future generations safe and right now it just is not safe and children are being impacted more and more. PLEASE HONOR THIS AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. We are watching the spread within our Native communities, and it is devastating. So no matter what your opinions are about COVID, we are requiring social distancing and masks. We will be monitoring for compliance. Please be kind. Zero tolerance of arguing about the politics--this gathering is for healing.
Fiscal Sponsorships from
Portland Metro
Earth Generation Council
FINS
NARA NW
NAYA
Saturday, September 11, 2021
8:30am Breakfast: Provided by NARA
10:00am Opening Ceremony Linda Looking/John Sanchez/John Spence
Welcome, Blessing, Sam Fast Buffalo Horse Review
Check-in, Ice-breaker
Restoration Story: Alvey Seeyouma, Hopi and Jessica Rojas, Chicana, salmon corps alum, co-founder of the sustainable medicine project. “Breaking the green ceiling”
Jolene Snapp: Thacker Pass: Ft Mcdermitt Tribe
10-5 pm Other shelter: Reclaiming Traditional Midwifery; the importance of protecting the sacred waters in birth: Clara Beth Loprinzi, Louise Benally. 10-15 women can participate in this all day workshop with an internationally recognized midwife and traditional elder who has birthed many native children in the NW and beyond. We will be setting up a registration site for this portion of the gathering. Native preference.
Noon Lunch- provided by NARA/ Prayer / Open Mic
1:00pm "HONORING OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE" (And Letting Go Ceremony) Facilitator: Avis Archambault, MA, L.Ac, Phd., (Lakota and Gros Ventre); G.O.N.A. Trainer, Dancer, Poet, Native Traditional Treatment Consultant.
The Presentation/ Discussion/ and Ceremony will touch up on: Indigenous Values & Sovereignty; Historical and Current Perspectives; Individual and Collective ways of "Not just Surviving.... But Thriving!"
3:30pm Main Mic Panel: Lisa Foster, Klamath water war--film, Rowena Jackson Klamath water war. Carol Craig Klamath Yakima water fights . Colleen Sanders, Climate Adaptation Planner, First Foods Policy Program for CTUIR DNR “Adaptive and Integrated Planning for First Foods and Food Systems in the Climate Emergency”.
Pow Wow grounds under the elder shelter: Drumming and traditional awareness: Harold Paul, Founder of 4-Directions drum group, 1985-present
Asking for women to bring the women’s perspective and using their voices. Being at the drum or not? Bring your hand drums.
Asa Wright: Art as a tool of change and healing.
5:30pm Dinner / Prayer / Memorial Name Reading
6:30pm Main Mic Panel: Standing Rock Warriers: Honoring their stories and journey’s.: Steven Paul, Lakasha Likpt, Asa Wright, Char Cobb, Patrick Eagle Staff
8:30pm Music/Spoken Word TBA Open Mike
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Sunrise: Water ceremony
8:30am Breakfast
10:00am Washut Service: Liddell and crew.
11:30am Lunch: Provided by NAYA Prayer / Open Mike
Noon Prayer / Supporting the Elders: Louise Benally
1:00pm Pow Wow
5:00pm Traditional Meal (Salmon) Dinner / Prayer / Memorial Name Reading
6:00pm Medicine Gathering Closing Ceremony
7:00pm Pow Wow--Until 9 pm