The Third Annual Transforming the Culture of Power Conference will focus on teachings about the Seven Fires Prophecy which speak about the “Lighting of the Eighth Fire,” when people from all races will unite as one to build a Nation based on equity and justice where all races will live in brotherhood and peace.
Presenters include MaryEllen Baker of Lac Court Oreilles Reservation; Tinker Shuman of Lac Du Flambeau Reservation; Joseph Many Horses and Danielle Leblanc who will teach about the Medicine Wheel and the Seven Grandfathers; Kim Moberg , an award-winner singer songwriter of Tlingit descent will offer a work- shop on her Seven Fire Prophecy album; Margaret Del Fuente will give a presentation on the Moon Dance teachings; The Ministry of O will present on the Wisdom of the Moon. Loretta Afraid of Bear Cook , a member of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, will speak about rites of Passage for youth. Grandmother Strong Oak will speak about the Medicine Wheel from the perspective of human development and gender-based wellbeing. The Transforming the Culture of Power Conference will be presented as an in-person event.
The in-person event will be held at Woolman Hill Retreat Center in Deerfield, Massachusetts on110 acres of land. The event will be video recorded on site and will be made available to those on the waiting list. ASL interpretation and Spanish interpretation will be available. The Seven Grandfather teachings, Walking in Balance with All Our Relations, the importance of Storytelling and Ceremonies in the healing of trauma will be highlighted. There will be teachings about the thirteen moons for both men and women. Workshops will cover the voices of youth, and the importance of prevention strategies and healing interventions for those who harm and for those who have been harmed in relationships. Other workshops will share the experiences of community Circle practitioners who work with survivors, prisoners, and people in re-entry.
In the evening, after the teachings of the day are done, there will be opportunities to participant in healing ceremonies with the elders. The venue can host 150 people. This is an in-person only event. In-person registration will be limited to the first 150 registrants on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Transforming the culture of power means, among other things, understanding that treating each other equally is not the same as treating each other equitably. A one size fits all equality model doesn’t account for the fact that everyone is different, occupies different positions of relative power (or lack thereof), and has different needs. Treating people equitably involves supporting each other to meet our unique needs and doing our best to rectify power imbalances when we see them. Genuinely transforming the culture of power in which we live means we take a critical look at where we stand on the scales of privilege and oppression and ask ourselves what we need and can do to help balance those scales. To that end, for BIPOC, registration for this conference involves no charge (though you are still welcome to donate if you would like). VBCIC acknowledges that many white participants may be unable to donate, so there is no mandatory cost. However, white participants who have the means to do so are strongly encouraged to reflect on that privilege, consider this an opportunity for both transformation and reparations, and to make a donation that you feel is reasonable (suggested amount $25-$250.), to help offset costs and provide equitable admission for BIPOC and others with less access to wealth. Register at visioningbear.org. Please indicate any special accommodations you may need.
