BELONGING TO MOTHER EARTH:
INDIGENOUS WISDOM AND HEALING

PURPOSE STATEMENT

INTENTION

Unified in the Spirit of Love and Respect we heal Mother Earth and one another.







OCTOBER 4-9, 1998 VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, USA

Grandfather, look at our brokenness. We know that in all creation only the human family has strayed from the Sacred Way. We know that we are the ones who are divided and we are the ones who must come back together to walk in the Sacred Way. Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us love, compassion and honor that we may heal the earth and heal each other. Ojibuay prayer

Belonging to Mother Earth is part of an overall plan to create and develop a long term commitment to enable the Indigenous peoples of the world to be heard by each other and the world and to share their enduring wisdom and healing with the rest of humankind in a significant way. This event is planned as one of the most extraordinary and memorable gatherings of action at the close of the millennium. It is a way to get beyond the deep hurts and outrageous mistakes of the past, beyond the distrust and anger, and create a bridge for true understanding and real cooperation.

The conference consists of several related parts: ceremonies and rituals, plenary sessions with keynote speakers, workshops with facilitators, and seminars with presenters and panels with panelists of diverse backgrounds. Healing circles, traditional ceremonies and rituals both ancient and modern and many, many opportunities for informal exchange in talking circles, groups, formal and informal receptions will round out the gathering exchange.

A cooperative working sponsorship between the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE), the Institute of Global Education (IGE), and Radio for Peace International (RFPI) in partnership with numerous Indigenous Nations such as the Maori in New Zealand, the Yupik in Alaska, the Bri Bri in Costa Rica, the Cherokee and many, many others will create and produce this incredible gathering.

A forum will be provided for Indigenous people to define and share on their own terms their cultural knowledge and insights on physical, mental, spiritual and environmental wisdom and healing. There will be an inclusive dialogue for Indigenous cultures to express themselves freely in order to impart wisdom and healing that has been accumululated over millenniums. Healing that will take place on personal and collective levels as well as cross cultural and planetary.


Radio For Peace International will broadcast live from the conference site and do extensive pre-conference programming. RFPI (broadcasts began in 1 987) is a not-for-profit shortwave radio station broadcasting from the campus of the University for Peace (created by the United Nations) in Costa Rica and will facilitate Indigenous Voices Communications Project.

A traditional and contemporary concert of Indigenous musicians from around the world will reach out to include the general public. A special sacred concert will close the conference.

The purpose of the conference is exemplified by Dr. Arvol Looking Horse, Nineteenth Generation Keeper of the Sacred Buffalo Calf Pipe of the Lakota Nation He will lead the ancient Mending of the Hoop of All Nations ritual for healing among the peoples of the planet.

A specially designed program will be held with children ages 7-1 1 and another with youth ages 1 2-1 6. Indigenous and all other children and youth are encouraged to attend.

An arts and crafts show, an Indigenous art exhibit and special and programs will highlight the diversity, depth and creativity contributions to the world.

Conference registration and participation is open to everyone. Opportunity is given to sponsor an Indigenous participant or a child from another part of the world.

For registration or additional information please contact:

IGE, Dr. Richard Schneider, Executive Director of the Conference, P0 Box 20728, Portland OR 97294

ARE, Kieth VanderOHe, Conference Coordinator, P0 Box 595, Virginia Beach VA 723451

Laurien Towers Gatlin, Executive Producer of the concerts and special events, 2531 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 73, Los Angeles CA 90064-3124

Lower fees for early registration. Some opportunities for volunteers. Once in a
lifetime experience for all. A Website will be in place by January 1, 1998 and a
complete brochure will be available by January 15, 1998