History

New Beginnings

An answer to a prayer. This year has been a profound testament to the power of community. This vision has been incubating and growing for nearly twenty three years.

Here is how it unfolded.

Years went into the understanding of the vision while developing personal skills, education, community connections and resources. The vision was continuously held up, nurtured and refined through guidance from the Elders and Native American Ceremony. Several years ago an alliance was formed when I met Darren Reiley, the Executive Director of Peace Village, and we realized that we shared a common vision. Since then our alliance and sense of brotherhood has only grown stronger.

The Land Base

In 2004, after searching for four years, off and on, the land on Butterfly Lane [77 acres of woodlands] presented itself and I jumped at the opportunity.

In 2005, I put in the utilities and roads necessary to make the land functional for or purpose and erected a 24’ yurt that would serve as a classroom when we were ready.

Communities in Action

In 2006, I sent out a request for the community at large to help develop the construction necessary to create some viable and necessary work and living areas. This distress call, since I was financially tapped and could go no further, also went out to a couple Native American Sundance communities.

People came with hammers, saws, prayers, rakes and shovels, including several from two different Sundance communities [Ochoco and Pilot Rock] and brought to life a new space that would serve as classroom, staff lounge, and offices. I remember fondly the loving help from the Stone River Community.

The Gathers Family Sundance held their annual Fall Gathering here and deepened the connections that much more to the mission here on the land.

This time was the birth of true community involvement on the land.
Since then we continue to run curriculum for youth and provide coming of age ceremonies here on the land; including cob construction, Community Service Projects and Rites of Passage.

Ceremonies and gatherings of all sorts are ongoing on the land with Native American sweatlodges being held three times monthly [Community Lodge, Men's lodge, and Women's lodge]