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giving creation rather than battle-scarred destruction,
America and the world would be much better off.
On August 20, 2011, there will be a sacred opportunity to experience the dawning of that which truly endures. All are invited to participate in a Western Shoshone 5:45 AM
Sunrise Ceremony, as part of the 13th Annual “Circle of
Life” Kateri Peace Conference in Fonda, NY. This
ceremony will be led by Johnnie Bobb, Chief of the
Western Shoshone National Council. According to the conference website: It is the religious belief of the
Western Shoshone that the earth is most sacred, this
includes everything in it, upon it and above it. The Sunrise Ceremony will reflect that belief.
Sunrise Ceremonies are held by others, as well. Estella Fuentes of The Guardsman describes this type of event as “a celebration of survival and resistance of Native American tribes from the oppression, violence and discrimination they’ve had to endure since America was ‘discovered.’” She describes one that took place on Thanksgiving Day 2010 at Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. Many tribes from all over America participated in the dancing, chanting, drumming and prayers of this event.
Religiousforums.com describes the Apache Sunrise Ceremony as a “four-day communal celebration that marks the first menstruation of an Apache woman.” This ceremony serves to unite the woman with her
“divine womanhood” spiritual heritage, and to join her with her adult and overall community. During the
physical part of the ceremony, the newly-adult woman “dances and runs extensively.” She wears a specially-
made buckskin dress that has been meticulously prepared for this occasion.
For a glimpse of what a Sunrise Ceremony can be like, click here for Tim Walking Bear Goodblood’s
inspiring version of one.
Resources
http://www.kateripeaceconference.org/
http://theguardsman.com/sunrise-ceremony/
http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/articles/31789-apache-sunrise-ceremony.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6qI8xvIQAk
Copyright August 2011 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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