Celebrating diversity and building bridges between cultural islands are very important to the members of the Portage Folk Festival Association, who look forward to hosting their 1st annual, 4 day Native Spirituality and Cultural Awareness Gathering." This is an inclusive gathering, beginning Thursday evening June 29 and wrapping up July 2 at Enchanted Healing Oasis (ECHO), a large tree sanctuary off Hwy 331.

This property is an ecosystem, certified with Canadian Wildlife Federation. It is a food forest bearing cherries, apples, pears, plums, Russian grapes and sometimes apricots, with 100 different kinds of trees (many labelled), including trees from different parts of the world, so there is much to explore. There is also a marsh like body of water that supports wildlife, and a canoe is available to get close up.

Allan Smoke is from the Dakota nation and has been operating private sweat lodge ceremonies at ECHO since last year. Allan looks forward to sharing the experiences of his native culture with other ethnic cultures in the Portage community.

Each day will provide a gentle understanding of the need and purpose of Indigenous ceremonies in coming together and learning about traditional worldviews and how each of us are connected to everything we see. People of all backgrounds will be invited to immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of our land's First Peoples during the four-day event.

Spiritual awareness is about healing of who we are, as people of all races. The sweat lodge ceremonies begin with preparation before entering, and reflection following the experience. All will then seek their own area of solitude, or speak with elders available to guide and help people understand what is revealed in their experience. Note: it is possible to enter and exit the sweat lodge according to ones comfort level.

At any given time, activities will include Grandmother name giving by Marlene Edwards of Agassiz Youth Centre, traditional parenting by Wendy Mousseau of Child and Family Services from Langruth, the art of cooking by Crystal Meeches (bannock and tacos for sale), a womens drum group led by Debbie Parker of Friendship Centre, sharing circles, story telling, a dance demonstration and nature walks. The Great Dance, or Sundance, that will take place next year at ECHO for all races will also be presented. This is a place of no schedules or clocks, a time to be by the fire, by the water or in the forest.

All participants of the sacred ceremonies are asked to read the event details listed on the website.

Local dignitaries have been invited to show their support for cultural understanding and reconciliation at this cultural and spiritual event.

Check out http://www.portagefolk.com for directions and more info.

Donations are appreciated.

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1st Annual Native Spirituality & Cultural Awareness Gathering - Portage Online