The St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council (SCC) will once again oversee the 3rd Annual International Indigenous Leadership Gathering in Xaxl’ip, St’át’imc Territory from May 30th to June 5th, 2011 (at 10001 Fountain Valley Road, Fountain, B.C., 30 minutes from Lillooet. B.C., Canada). The gathering is free and takes place in an outdoor arbor. All are welcome across the globe, meals are provided (please bring your own plates & cutlery & cooking gear). People from all over camp and gather throughout the days to share messages, witness and partake in scheduled discussions and ceremonies by various Indigenous speakers from around the world and locally. The theme of theme of the gathering is “Protecting the Sacred”.
Unfortunately, some Worldwide Indigenous Peoples are facing rapid cultural-loss due to the aggressive assimilation policies still underway. At the same time, the remaining elders are quickly passing on. Continent to continent, the teachings that have guided countless generations, rooting the children and connecting the youth and next generations, are at risk. Recognizing the crossroads, the elders across many Indigenous cultures have warned that we must act now to safeguard the teachings. Governments call these teachings ‘traditional knowledge’; however, it is Sacred Knowledge, of Sacred Life Relationships, connecting us all in the Circle of Life.
Throughout the 1st and 2nd IILG we have heard shared-teachings from the Hopi, Lakota, Maya and other Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and throughout the world who say that the time for reconnection is now. Time is short for restoring the balance. The children need us to move with truth, love, and discipline. We have been instructed to come together for real reflection. Unlike other meetings, this gathering will take place at a sacred site, in the heart of an Indigenous Nation’s ancestral territory.
The Gathering has brought together elders, ceremony keepers, and mandated leaders from the four directions including: Asia, Africa, the America’s (including the Arctic), Australia, and the South Pacific to discuss issues of common concern, based on territory, as well as visions for honouring the shared responsibilities. The four critical issues to be addressed at the gathering include:
1) Sacred Knowledge- Embracing the guidance of our ancestors and elders, to live in balance.
2) Sacred Lands- Respecting the rhythms and warnings of Mother Earth to choose wisely.
3) Sacred Children- Nurturing the young ones, both near and far.
4) Sacred Generations- providing for future generations, the grandchildren and for all humanity.
Addressing such topics in their proper cultural context will provide a breakthrough for Indigenous Peoples internationally. It offers protection for the children and grounding for the youth, at a time when meaningful initiatives for tackling the root causes of culture loss are scarce. There will be relevant guidance from recognized spiritual authorities instead of further outside ‘expert’ prescriptions. Indigenous Peoples themselves will address the pressing global issues at which their Peoples now find themselves the centre of – for example, climate change.
The Sacred Fires have been lit. In August 2008 tobacco was delivered to Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota), 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, to formalize his invitation. Chief Arvol Looking Horse and many other elders have spoken at the 1st and 2nd IILG and Chief Looking Horse will also be returning to speak on May 30, 2011.
The St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council raises our hands to you in gratitude for your continued support for this unique gathering based on vision. We would also like to take this time to officially invite you to our gathering (that is open to all people, world-wide).
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