40th Annual Native American
Elders and Youth Gathering
July 26th – 28th, 2024
Online Program Schedule
All times are EDT, Local time at the Sunray Peace Village, Lincoln, VT
(Schedule Subject to Change)
FRIDAY, JULY 26th, 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; Tehoronio Joey David, Mohawk; Chief Lee Plenty Wolf, Lakota; Elder Larry McDermott, Algonquin; 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 – 11:45 am: 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
- Elder Larry McDermott, Algonquin, “The Seven Grandfather Teachings and These Times”
- Rev. Chonyi Richard Allen & Lucie LeBlanc, “One with the Great Mystery – Experiential subtle sound immersion”. As we generate pure intention and allow breath awareness to flow, attune to subtle polyphonic sounds – produced through simple yet mysterious clay.
(Peruvian Whistling Vessels – crafted and tuned by Daniel Statnakow)
11:45 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch Session
- Tashi Sky Burke Tomaeno, “Drumming for the Earth” (12:00 pm -12:30 pm)
1: 00 pm – 3:00 pm: Afternoon session
- World Peace Sanctuary Representatives, “Peace Pole Dedication with World Peace Prayer & Flag Ceremony”
- Rev. Sandy Sheridan & Carolyn DiCarlo, “Sunray Meditation Society NGO at the United Nations”
- Carolyn DiCarlo, “Exploring Forms & Torus Rings”
- Rajnii Eddins and Amina, “Spoken Word for the Earth”
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Late Afternoon Session
- Lei’ohu Ryder & Maydeen Iao, Hawaiian, “Power of Our Thoughts & Words; What We Are Seeing”
- Tehoronio Joey David, Mohawk, “Recognizing the Holiness of the Land Upon Which We Sit”
- East Wind, “Music Break”
- Sky Road Webb, “Gifts from the land in Miwok territory, Perseverance & Taking the Long View”
- Abuela Maria Theresa (GM Elena), Mayan, “Mother Wisdom & Her Display in These Times”
- Closing of the day with Reverend Meli
SATURDAY, JULY 27th, PROGRAM
7:00 am – 8:00 am: Live from the Arbor at Sunray Peace Village
- Opening at the Sacred Central Fires in Arbor with Tehonorio Joey David, Elders & Sunray Ministers
8:00 am – 10:00 am: Breakfast Session
- Dance Mistress Madeleine, “Dance of the Directions”
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
- Dr. Rudy Schild, “Changes in the Solar System & the Solar Flares in These Times: The earth isn’t the only sphere that is heating up”
- Rev. Co’Relous Bryan, “What Jesus Teaches About Community & Caretaking the Earth”
- Elisi Joani Henry, “What am I Seeing in These Times”
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch Session
- East Wind, “Calling folks with drum” (12:45 – 1:00pm)
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Afternoon Session
- Chief Lee Plenty Wolf, Lakota Spiritual Leader, “How Do We-Young & Old–Embody Awareness of Our Relationship with Mother Earth?”
- Rev. Chonyi Richard Allen, “Heart Essence – Vast Expanse: Challenging times and great opportunities”
- Dr. Mindahi Bastida, “What My Work is Revealing”
- Kalpulli Tletl Papalotzin, Aztec Dancers
- Grandmother Nan Claudia, “What the Grandmothers are Seeing”
- 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 27th, 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 28th, PROGRAM
7:00 am – 8:00 am: Live from the Arbor at Sunray Peace Village
- Opening at the Sacred Central Fires in Arbor with Chief Lee Plenty Wolf & Sunray Ministers Revs. Eileen and Sandy
8:00 am – 10:00 am: Breakfast Session
- Sunray Ministers, Sunray Meditation Practice
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Morning Session
- Reverend Meli, sharing Agenda for Day and some Elders and Youth Gathering Highlights
- Grandmother Hears Crow, “The Living Tapestry”
- VDY, Elders, Youth—Rev. Meli MC, “Sharing of Messages to/for Our Multigenerational Communities”
- Rev. Amtul, “Stories Revealing Earth Wisdom & Embodying Earth Awareness”
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch Session
- Rev. Meli describes lunch activities
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Afternoon Session
- David from Aztec Dance Group Kalpulli Tletl Papalotzin, “Cauhpohualli / Mexican Counting of Time”
- Carbery, Irina, Dawna and kids, “Sharing from the Heart and Arts of our Youth”
- Ruby & Jackson Britton, “Honoring Family Connection”
- Reverend Meli and Sunray Ministers, “Family of Life Ceremonies: Coming of Age, Honoring those who’ve passed”
- Closing of 40th Elders and Youth Gathering with Pipe Ceremony with Reverend Meli, Elders and Chief Lee Plenty Wolf
MONDAY, JULY 29th, P0ST-ELDERS GATHERING WORKSHOPS ON ZOOM AND AT THE SUNRAY PEACE VILLAGE
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Registration is required for Workshops. Click Here for more details and registration.
- Dr. Orest Pelechaty – “Healing Trees with Biodynamics: The Alchemy of Ecology”
- Lightheart Woman – “Cornbread Making and Corn Teachings”
- Grandmother Hears Crow – “The Living Tapestry”