Introduction to the Sacred Firewith Paul RaphaelApril
21-24, 2005, Brattleboro, VT
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I know the Elders knew these teachings would be needed in troubling times and that is why these teachings are still here today. So come and join us and rekindle your own Sacred Fire.” Megwetch, Paul Raphael Paul Raphael,
from
Peshawbestown, Michigan, is a singer and storyteller, and works as a
Peacemaker for the Grand Traverse Band. He is married and has four
children, two boys and two girls, and three grandchildren.
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Join us a we learn from and work with Paul
Raphael, an Odawa of the
Raven Dodem and a Peacemaker of the Grand Traverse Band. Paul will
share the tradition of tending a Sacred Fire, handed down
to him from the Great Lake Elders of the Grand Council of Waganakising
Odawa. The Sacred Fire Workshop will provide you with effective tools to recognize and work through the powerful emotions that will surface in your life as you rekindle your inner sacred fire. Doing this inner work is an essential development for anyone choosing to mentor others into a deep awareness of nature. |
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To register call
802-257-8570.
| The
Seven Sacred Principles
with Gilbert Walking
Bull
May 14-16
In
this extraordinary
workshop, Lakota Elder Gilbert Walking Bull will
share the Seven Sacred Principles of the Lakota people as they were
handed down to him from his tribal elders.
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Now is the time to send in
your summer camp applications! Camps are filling fast.
Otter Day Camp:
June 20-24 and June 27-July 1
Raccoon Camp for ages 9-12: July 2-8 Coyote Camp for teens: July 11-24 or July 11-31. |
Vermont
Wilderness School Jump Starts Communities Around the Northeast
Taking Root in
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 Here at
Vermont Wilderness School, we hold
a vision of a vibrant network of mentoring communities within our
northeast bioregion that will spread our teaching far and wide.
Over the past 5 years, we have made significant progress towards this
vision with the help of dedicated champions in each of the communities
we work with. Last year, the folks in New Paltz, New York – our
oldest community – organized Red Fox Friends, to provide a strong focal
point for their efforts to mentor the children, support the
efforts of families and strengthen their community. We are also
working with
communities in Montpelier, Vermont, Rhode Island, Ithaca, New York,
and, of course, here in Brattleboro.From our experience
in New Paltz, we know what works: help local
leaders build informal family programs and seasonal celebrations;
recruit young adults to join our apprenticeship
program and then return
to their community with newly learned skills; and bring everyone
together at regional and national programs to re-inspire them and give
them new tools.
The sidebar has
articles written by Karen Lieberman from
Montpelier and Bekah Greenwald from Rhode Island. Each
demonstrates the powerful impact of our community partnerships by
showing how they are mentoring their children
to grow into powerful adults who will care for their community and the
natural world.
Vermont Wilderness School
will continue to work with and expand our growing network of
communities over the coming years. If you want to learn how you
can be involved, give us a call or email or sign up for the Art
of Mentoring workshop this fall. May there be a vibrant
mentoring community in your area!
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Running Down Deer!
by Preston
Taylor
3rd year Apprentice
At the Oyase
Community School, I
work with the bobcat clan of 10-12 year olds. A few weeks ago, I
asked them what animals they had been seeing recently Almost every
animal they saw was from their car or their house. I thought to myself
“they need some real up close experience with animals out on the land.”So we set out immediately towards an area where I knew there was a heavily used deer run. We followed a fresh set of tracks to a feeding area. As we entered the feeding area, we could see from the tracks that the deer had literally exploded out of the snow from a standing place just seconds before we arrived.
We followed the tracks up over a hill through a field and down into a meadow with shrubs and grasses and apple trees. When we got up to the top of the hill, we saw the deer running away in the field below us. We started running after them. It’s an instinct of the young men to just run after these animals! As we were chasing them down through the field we scared about 25 turkeys. From our hilltop vantage, we saw the turkeys float down into the forest and noted where they landed. We kept running after the deer. We could tell from the tracks that it was a doe and two fawns.
The boys were getting tired, so we took a break, but one of them really wanted to push himself. I sent him around to get in front of the deer. As he was doing this, he scared the turkeys who flew back over us and landed nearby. We got up from our rest and regrouped. As we entered an area of pine slash, we instinctively slowed down because we had a feeling that the deer were nearby. About 30 feet away, the doe and fawns jumped up and ran up a ravine. Then, just 20 feet away, a lone deer that we didn’t even know was there jumped up! She slowly bounded right in front of us. We had this beautiful picture of her tawny brown hide and the legs moving back and forth.
All the boys thought this was the coolest place ever and that we had to come back. They looked around and all at once they said “Where are we?” Needless to say, we spent the return trip watching the landscape carefully so we would be able to return. We came back the next week and got to spend some time motionless in the sunshine watching the deer and the turkeys feed.
Nature
Detective
This spring wildflower can be found in rich woods, particularly in stream and river floodplains. What is it?
Bonus: What is it's Latin Name?
Double Bonus: email me a digital photo of one blooming in your neighborhood. It blooms this month in our area!
Send your answer to: steve@
VermontWildernessSchool.org.
Include "nature detective #2" in the subject line.
If the Crow Call was forwarded to you by a friend, and you like what you see please subscribe to continue to receive the Crow Call.
Vol. 1, Issue 3: Apr-May 2005 In This Issue
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Thank you Donors!Only $5850 to go!
  We offer a big heartfelt thank you
to all 124 of you who have donated $19,150 in the first four weeks of
our
emergency fundraising campaign. Everyone at Vermont
Wilderness
School is deeply touched by your belief in us and our vision at this
most critical time. “I hope this small
donation can help. Our daughter Jessica has enjoyed the Fall
Rendezvous for the past 2 years thanks to your generous
scholarship assistance. Her experience each year is a
highlight. We consider it one of the most valuable chapters in
her life.
Good luck and be well. Tes Reed and family If you haven't
already contributed to
our emergency campaign, we need your help to keep the momentum going. If you value our work, and
if our programming has touched your heart
now is the time to recognize the value of our mission. Whether
you are
a first time donor or a long-time supporter, please make your donation
today!
“I am so happy to donate to this very
meaningful and important organization. When I consider moving
back to your area one of the reasons is the Vermont Wilderness
School. The experiences my sons encountered during the 2 years
they participated in Oyase are still with them. I know,
especially for Eliott, it is profound.
More
reasons to donate |
Spread the word!
Please forward this newsletter to your friends who might want to learn more about us.
Subscribe!
If the Crow Call was forwarded to you by a friend and you like what you see please subscribe to continue to receive the Crow Call.
| d Real Life Experience, Real Skills:  Vermont Wilderness School's Apprenticeship Program! Beyond the edge of education: An instructor training path in the art of mentoring, naturalist, awareness and earth skills.  Apply now for 2005-2006! The skills you will gain in the areas of wilderness survival, nature awareness, and mentoring will help you craft your intentions and actions to positively affect the lives of future generations. |
