GRANDFATHER WILLIAM COMMANDA’S ANNUAL

CIRCLE OF ALL NATIONS SPIRITUAL GATHERING


AUGUST 1, 2 and 3, 2003

KITIGAN ZIBI

Grandfather William Commanda is pleased to invite you to his annual international spiritual gathering at his home at Bitobi Lake, Kitizan Zibi Reserve, Maniwaki, Quebec.

The key themes that Grandfather advances at the Gathering, through a series of presentations and workshops, are

Indigenous Wisdom, Respect for Mother Earth and Healing,
Racial Harmony,
Social Justice and
Peace Building.
The Gathering provides opportunity for community development, networking, individual and communal healing, spiritual growth and creativity. Its key objectives are to

Share the wisdom, knowledge and sacred teachings of Indigenous Elders, Spiritual leaders and Medicine people,
Promote discussion on a range of topics – justice, poverty, aids, racism, spirituality, peace, leadership, healing
Raise awareness about our relationship with Mother Earth
Facilitate individual healing, spiritual growth and creativity
Foster positive inter personal relationships and harmony
Celebrate life, share and socialize
A special priority is to advance the vision to establish a Healing and Peace Building Centre on Victoria Island.

The daily activity plan is simple and comprehensive:

Sunrise pipe ceremonies,
Morning presentations by special guests,
Afternoon workshops, sweat lodge and other healing ceremonies and creative activities,
Late afternoon time for personal reflection,
Evening drumming, dancing and socialization.
On Saturday evening, all participate in a community feast, and on Sunday afternoon, in a traditional Giveaway.

Grandfather encourages participants to engage in all the activities; the weekend is an unprecedented blueprint for experiencing the timeless wisdom of the Sacred Medicine Wheel, with extraordinary opportunity for emotional, physical, spiritual and mental development.

The Gathering is a very special event that engenders a spirit of generosity and generates harmony, peace and unity.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

DETAILS:

Date

1 - 3, August, 2003, commencing at sunrise on Friday, and closing on Sunday afternoon
Camp set up commences on Thursday
Location

Grandfather Commanda’s residence, 231 Pitobig Mikan, Kitigan Zibi Reserve, Maniwaki, Quebec.
Camping space is available; there are also hotels and motels in town.
Please bring your own tents, sleeping bags, personal supplies, equipment and food.
There are outdoor toilet facilities and bathing at the lakeshore shower
Spaces

Parking – special parking lot across the road
Camping – north of homes, alongside the road
Security – entrance and elsewhere
Communications and Registration – beside Grandfather’s shop
Vendor for fast food – beside Grandfather’s shop
Kitchen, Elders’ Eating Space – North of Grandfather’s home
Sweat Lodge Ceremonies – East of Grandfather’s home
Sacred Fire, Sunrise Ceremonies, Meditation – Sacred Point
Morning presentations – Lakeside Arbor
Children’s activities, Drumming, Giveaway – Round Arbor
Workshops – Lodge, Lakeside Arbor, grounds
Ceremonies

Please respect the expectations of the Fire Keeper, Elders, Lodge Keepers, ceremonial leaders and security, with respect to individual protocols – tobacco offerings, dress (especially for the sweat lodges: cotton, long gowns or loose cotton skirts and t-shirts for women, shorts for men), moon cycles, etc.
Considerations


Please: NO DRUGS; NO ALCOHOL; NO PETS.
This in an indigenous spiritual gathering and all are asked to dress with decorum throughout.
Please take special care with dress, noise and conduct in the area designated for the sacred ceremonies - East of Grandfather’s home
Children are welcome and some activities are organized for them; however, there is no babysitting, and parents are fully responsible for them at all times.
No boating or swimming.
Donations for the Giveaway and Community Feast are welcomed.
Volunteers

Grandfather Commanda hosts this Gathering in its entirety; his friends volunteer to prepare for the Gathering and to clean up afterwards, and to take care of most needs during the Gathering.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE GATHERING to help with security duties, food preparation and cleanup, assisting elders, facilities cleanup etc. Please be generous with your support.
Agenda Outline

Attached
A detailed agenda will be posted prior to the Gathering
Directions:

From Ottawa and points South:

Go North to Maniwaki
As you approach Maniwaki and enter the 50 km per hour zone you will see
a flashing traffic light in front of a Freshmart Grocery store.

There is a "T" shaped intersection there, turn left, go down that road, cross a small bridge and continue past a sharp curve until you come to another "T" shaped intersection located just before a children’s playground equipped with colourful plastic slides and castle like structures.
There is a stop sign there, make your stop and turn left.
Stay on that road for approximately 4 kilometres.
You will see the Gathering grounds on your left as you drive along a lake on your left.
From Montreal and points East:

It is much shorter to come through Grand Remous.
Approximatly 20 KM past Mont Laurier, there is a small town called Grand Remous.
Just past the town bridge, there is a flashing traffic light indicating the intersection to Maniwaki.
Turn left to go to Maniwaki.
Drive South through Maniwaki until you get to a flashing trafic light in front of a Freshmart grocery store.
Turn right at that intersection, go down that road, cross a small bridge and continue past a sharp curve until you come to another "T" shaped intersection located just before a children’s playground equipped with colourful plastic slides and castle like structures.
There is a stop sign there, make your stop and turn left.
Stay on that road for approximately 4 kilometres.
You will see the Gathering grounds on you left as you drive along a lake on your left.
From points West:

It is shortest to come trough Pembrook and cross the Ottawa River to the Province of Quebec.
Follow direction to Cambell's Bay and from there turn North West to Kazabazua.
From Kazabazua, turn left to Maniwaki.
As you approach Maniwaki and enter the 50 km per hour zone you will traffic light in front of a Freshmart Grocery store.
There is a "T" shaped intersection there ,turn left, go down that road, cross a small bridge and continue past a sharp curve until you come to another "T" shaped intersection located just before a children’s playground equipped with colourful plastic slides and castle like structures.
There is a stop sign there, make your stop and turn left.
Stay on that road for approximately 4 kilometres. You will see the Gathering grounds on your left as you drive along a lake on your left.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE WRITE TO US AT info@circleofallnations.com of call 613-599-8385




ELDER WILLIAM COMMANDA’S

CIRCLE OF ALL NATIONS

ANNUAL SPIRITUAL GATHERING

AUGUST 1 – 3, 2003

DAILY AGENDA

5.30 – 7.30 SUNRISE CEREMONY

7.30 – 9.00 BREAKFAST

9.00 – 12.00 DAILY PRESENTATIONS AND TEACHINGS

12.00 - 1.30 LUNCH

1.30 - 3.00 SMALL TALKING CIRCLES – LIST AT COMMUNICATIONS BOOTH*

SWEAT LODGE CEREMONIES COMMENCE

3.00 - 8.00 INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES, DINNER

8.00 - 11.00 DRUMMING, DANCING AND SOCIALIZATION



NOTE:

SATURDAY 6.00 PM - COMMUNITY FEAST

SUNDAY 1.30 PM - CLOSING CEREMONIES, GIVEAWAY

*Circle of All Nations volunteers and other interested parties will be coordinating small talking circles on various topics of interest: Victoria Island Healing Centre Project, Circle of All Nations, women’s issues; French talking circle; conflict resolution; nutrition; health issues etc. Participants are encouraged to participate, share or coordinate circles on topics of interest to themselves and others on the grounds. You are invited to communicate your interest in this regard to volunteers at the communications booth.




Circle of All Nations volunteers thank Grandfather William Commanda and his family for sharing their home with us and we commit on behalf of all participants to honour and respect this generosity.