41st Annual Native American
Elders and Youth Gathering

July 25th – 27th, 2025

Online Program Schedule

All times are EDT, Local time at the Sunray Peace Village, Lincoln, VT

(Schedule Subject to Change)

FRIDAY, JULY 25th, PROGRAM

7:00 am – 8:00 am: Live from the Arbor at Sunray Peace Village

Opening at the Sacred Central Fires in the Arbor, starting with the Stick Dance (6:45 am) to clear the space

Lighting of the Sacred Central Fires in Arbor – prayers and remarks offered by Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo, Ani Yun Wiwa, Sunray Spiritual Director; Tatjana Cady, Abenaki; Grandfather Michael Bastine, Algonquin; Chief Lee Plenty Wolf, Lakota; and Sunray Ministers

8:00 am – 9:30 am: Breakfast Session

Tatjana Cady, Abenaki, “Moon Circle Teachings for Women and Girls” (teachings on Zoom Only, for women and girls)

9:30 am – 10:00 am: Preparing for the Day

Grandfather Kodata and Britton Family, “Carrying in the Flags”

Madeleine Piat-Landolt, Sunray Dance Mistress, “Sunray’s Morning Practices” in the Arbor

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Morning Session

Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo and Reverend Meli open Hybrid/Zoom Elders and Youth Gathering; why the theme; why Youth; why we’re together; welcomes all; welcomes Elder and Youth Presenters for the weekend

Reverend Meli, Review of the Elders and Youth Gathering Program

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch Sessions

2: 00 pm – 4:00 pm: Afternoon session

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Late Afternoon Session

East Wind, “Music Break”

Closing of the day with Reverend Meli

SATURDAY, JULY 26th, PROGRAM

7:00 am – 8:00 am: Live from the Arbor at Sunray Peace Village

Opening at the Sacred Central Fires in Arbor with Grandfather Mike Bastine, Elders & Sunray Ministers

8:00 am – 10:00 am: Breakfast Session

10:00 am – 12:00 pm Morning Session

Rev. Meli opens Hybrid/Zoom Elders and Youth Gathering day; reviews the theme; welcomes all; shares highlights from Friday

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch Session

East Wind, “Calling folks with drum” (1:45 – 1:00pm)

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Afternoon Session

Reverend Meli Kitchens, “Preparing for the Ywahoo Lineage Healing Ceremony and Closing of the day”

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Dinner Break & Preparation for Ywahoo Healing Celebration

SATURDAY, JULY 26th, YWAHOO LINEAGE HEALING CELEBRATION

Live from the Arbor at Sunray Peace Village

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm : Ywahoo Lineage Healing Celebration, with Ven. Dhyani Ywahoo, Reverend Meli, Sunray Healing Gadugi, Dance, Singing & Fire Gadugis

Join on the Healing Celebration Zoom Link. Registration is not required for this session:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86936032453?pwd=MHd1WGNpdE4zUlBsdmJWSE1RWWJEZz09

SUNDAY, JULY 27th, PROGRAM

7:00 am – 8:30 am: Live from the Arbor at Sunray Peace Village

Opening at the Sacred Central Fires in Arbor with with Elders and Sunray Ministers

Celebration of the Green Corn New Moon Fires

Join on the New Moon Fires Celebration Zoom Link. Registration is not required for this session:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82938921692?pwd=QUdMQ1BtYlRUOU1HQ1l2YkVlaGREUT09

8:30 am – 10:00 am: Breakfast Session

10:00 am – 12:00 pm Morning Session

Reverend Meli, sharing Agenda for Day and some Elders and Youth Gathering Highlights

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch Session

Rev. Meli describes lunch activities

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Afternoon Session

Carbery, Dawna and kids, “Sharing from the Heart and Arts of our Youth”

Reverend Meli and Sunray Ministers, “Family of Life Ceremonies: Coming of Age, Honoring those who’ve passed”

Closing of 41^st Elders and Youth Gathering with Pipe Ceremony with Reverend Meli, Elders and Chief Lee Plenty Wolf

MONDAY, JULY 28th, P0ST-ELDERS GATHERING WORKSHOPS ON ZOOM AND AT THE SUNRAY PEACE VILLAGE

9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Registration is required for Workshops. Click Here for more details and registration.

Dr. Orest Pelechaty – TBA

Grandmother Hears Crow – TBA

41st Annual Native American Elders and Youth Gathering