Return to Creation: Living in an Unbroken Circle

Manitonquat (Medicine Story)
January 19-21

At the core of Native American culture is the belief that all things are descended from and are part of the unifying force of Creation, or Great Spirit, which is at once benevolent, powerful, vulnerable, and beyond naming. According to this way of life, the Earth is a living organism--our Mother, who has borne us as Her children. Many native peoples have lived consciously for generations in a balanced state of deep ecology with the Earth Mother, based on a heartfelt spiritual connection to the natural world and a humble respect for the sanctity of all things. The human race has been placed in the circle alongside all other members of the Creation family, not to dominate, but to be companions and caretakers. As part of this living circle, we can heal ourselves, our communities and the Earth. We can experience living in an unbroken circle, for the tribal way is instinctive and natural. It calls for harmony, appreciation, and respect.

Guided by ancient wisdom and present inspiration, we'll come together and experience conscious community and the healing of our relations with each other and the natural world. Break the isolation that's kept us apart, find a joyful closeness in acceptance and trust. Experience our connections, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, to the Earth and all of Creation. Learn to find the vision to guide us in achieving all that we want from life, including the healing of the planet and the creation of a more humane society. Take the next step in recovering our love, our creative intelligence, our joy and enthusiasm at every moment in our lives.
 

Manitonquat (Medicine Story) is an unrepentent idealist who's never given up his vision, which told him long ago to share his wisdom with all who want to hear. He's a counselor, teacher, storyteller, keeper of the lore of the Wampanoag Nation of Massachusetts, the ceremonial medicine man of the Assonet Band, he's matured into a wise and loving elder. A former writer and poetry editor with Akwesasne Notes, he wrote Return to Creation: A Survival Manual for Native and Natural People, The Children of the Morning Light, The Circle Way and Ending Violent Crime. He's been part of the North American Indian Spiritual Unity Movement, a co-founder of the Tribal Healing Council, and he travels extensively throughout North America and Europe. He leads sweat lodges, teaches co-counselling, and open councils for native men and their allies in several state prisons. His compassion and centeredness is a healing balm and we welcome this old friend of Rowe Camp and Conference Center home with open arms. Please join us.
"We just finished two terrific family camps in Finland and Sweden, now we're doing our own International Family Camp in Denmark with 300 adults and twice as many kids! I love this life--growth, change, healing, learning--we are in a perpetual vortex of hope, excitement and love." - Medicine Story in Europe this summer