Greetings Relations,
As energies shift and amplify nearing the Spring emergence in the Northern hemisphere, Praying you and your loved ones remain imbedded in the eye of the impending storms, both literally and metaphorically.Recently returning from a pilgrimage to teach and conduct Ceremonies in India, the journey was fraught with extreme challenges as well as great beauty and Blessings. A profound message gleaned: locate and align with allies – the people who see, love, respect and support you, who watch your back and stand with you, no matter what.
Truth is, Indigenous Nations and peoples are incessantly under siege. The mis and disinformation, fear and outright ignorance regarding them is rife and staggering in this world. Though the Maori Nations of Aotearoa (New Zealand) are no longer receiving press, Ancestral Voice continues to stand in absolute support and solidarity with them in the defense and protection of their culture, identity and sovereign right to self determination while the colonized parliament endeavors to rescind the treaty of Waitangi, which was ratified in 1840. Unfortunately, being cavalier with words, reneging on commitments and treaties is a pattern in the colonized world. In fact, over 500 treaties were established in relation to Indigenous Nations in North America, and the colonizers have broken every single one of them. It illumines a troubling legacy for those of European Ancestry to address and heal – namely, egregious breaches of integrity.
Though not in accord with the positions and actions of the US government in the Gaza Strip, Ancestral Voice at least acknowledges the previous administration’s gestures toward healing, peace and reconciliation in relation to Indigenous Nations in the United States. These included – the appointment of the first Indigenous senator to serve as director of the department of the interior. Additionally, former President Biden was the first leader in the US to formally and publicly apologize to Indigenous Nations for the heinous atrocities of the boarding school system (to which my Lakota mother was subjected and from which she suffered), which was perpetrated by the federal government. Finally, in one of his last acts in office, the former president commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, who has been incarcerated for 50 years for a crime he did not commit, allowing this Indigenous activist, warrior and elder to spend the remainder of his life surrounded by family and loved ones. These were favorable and potentially healing developments. Now, the trajectory with the current administration is uncertain. That said, drawing inspiration from the life and story of Leonard Peltier, it is necessary to remain resolute in conviction and to persevere. In other words – Never Lose Faith and Never Give Up!In the continued mission and quest to support decolonization/reindigenization movements, Ancestral Voice is offering two nine Moon courses – Indigenous Wisdom & Medicine Ways intends to dispel the ignorance and misperceptions surrounding Native cultures and to foster a deeper appreciation of their rich, complex worldviews and lifeways. Within a Sacred container held by the Ancestors, the nine Moon Men’s Hoop is designed to support men, young and old, in becoming Awakened Warriors – to walk with integrity, respect, maturity and purpose in the world, to be honourable, responsible, accountable and to release antiquated and contrived ways of masculinity. Please contact Ancestral Voice for further information and to register for either of these courses.
February is the month to commence formal preparations for the
Hanbleceya (Traditional Vision Quest), which is conducted in
October so if interested in either Questing or serving as a supporter for the High Ceremony, please reach out to initiate the journey. Additionally, the
Indigenous Journey intensive, which serves as a foundation for the Path, as well as the
Soul Retrieval intensive whose intent is learning ancient methods to reclaim and reintegrate energetic aspects of ourselves are
offered in mid February.
Mid March will find us
conducting Ceremonies and sharing Teachings in Florida and we are anticipating
returning to Australia and India (to conduct Ceremony in the Himalayas) later this year and early next.
The entire list of offerings for the quarter is below as well as available on our website:
https://AncestralVoice.org/calendar.
Ancestral Voice is currently accepting students for the various Moon Cycle options in the Indigenous Lifeways Program, so if endeavoring to excavate oneself and learn skills to maintain equanimity and imperturbability in these turbulent, tempestuous times, to remember your Original Instructions and mobilize oneself in their realization for the benefit of All of Our Relations, we welcome you to join us.
Prayers for Remaining in the Eye of the Tempests,
