Native American Institute of
The Hudson River Valley
The Hudson River Valley
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Native American Institute of
The Hudson River Valley
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What is NAIHRV The Institute will support and carry out research and educational activities promoting awareness of Native American culture and experience. The intention of the Institute and its members is to research and disseminate accurate information and historical fact concerning the European encounter with the First Nations and the history of these nations before and after that encounter. The Institute is not a political entity, and will not engage in public controversy, nor support nor lend its name to any form of political activity or advocacy. Although it is possible that information or historical data developed by the Institute may be available to or be used by an advocacy or political organization, this in no way implies endorsement of a particular cause by the Native American Institute. The Institute will remain true to its mission of doing research, providing education, increasing awareness, and discerning historical truth. ----- The Berkshire Blossom Film Festival The 1st Annual Berkshire Blossom Film Festival will kick off the summer with short films and videos with powerful and unique messages that inspire hope, educate and raise awareness about local and global social causes and promote community activism. The Berkshire Blossom Film Festival’s objective is to encourage and empower the public to be pro-active and get involved in resolving issues facing our local and global community ultimately creating a society of compassion, cooperation and connection. Films will address a range of social issues related to human rights, environmental preservation, sustainable culture, and spiritual exploration. Originally, the festival was to be named, ‘The Beauty, Truth and Harmony Film Festival’ when several community members came together last year to explore a central Berkshires Film Festival given the cultural resurgence of new arts programs and cultural groups, organizations and activities in Pittsfield, and throughout the Berkshires. Over one hundred film submissions from youth and adult filmmakers are being reviewed for the Festival’s scheduled screenings at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield being held on Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.
Friday, June 6 Following a festival compilation of socially conscious film and video shorts, Funk Buddha, a New York based modern dancer, aerialist, hip hop and spoken groove performance artist, will provide a live performance focusing on deep ecology, the soul and community activism. A video youth dance party will conclude the Friday evening program at the First Baptist Church on South Street. Love and Revolution, a local ala Jimi Hendrix’s guitar style band will play at Brew Works for adult festival goers in the private party room after Funk Buddha’s performance.
Saturday, June 7 David Grover will perform a special children’s morning performance with animated environmental shorts for children and families from 11am to 12:00 noon at the Colonial Theatre. This performance is part of the Youth Have a Voice category with student films about environmental stewardship and renewable energy. This afternoon category is free. A festival highlight will be the thirty minute, Global Spirit Vietnam - Forgiveness and Healing. This film documents the work of Dr. Edward Tick and the powerful healing journey of American soldiers returning to Vietnam to reconcile and heal the memories and wounds of war. Dr. Ed Tick, author of “SOUL OF WAR” will be present to participate in a panel discussion after the screening of his film. Nadia Szold, a local independent filmmaker’s submission brings forth a creative interpretation of the environment and human nature. The Hunger Project, FoodFirst, and the Global Fund for Women, are just a few of the international organizations providing films and resources for networking and collaboration. Highlighted local organizations include: Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, The Center for Ecological Technology (C.E.T.), the Barka Foundation, The Women’s Interfaith Institute, Berkshire Grown, Bridges, Manos Unidas and the Elizabeth Freeman Center. A special screening of Breaking Patterns aka CANDY directed by local filmmaker, Ryan Kampe shot last year in the Berkshires and produced by local production support, will be screened. A panel of independent filmmakers will discuss mission focused and social commentary filmmaking. On Saturday there will be FREE workshops on all aspects of video production, including creative and technical applications led by local “indie” writers, directors, actors, producers and videographers. These workshops will happen backstage at the Colonial Theatre and are open to youth and adult “WANNABEE” filmmakers. First time filmmakers are welcome. Saturday evening will highlight the special LIFESPIRIT category with the film Sacred Run – The Lotus and the Feather with a panel discussion to include the film’s director, Andrea Sadler. Local activists, visionaries and healers will participate on this panel. After the evening’s screening and discussion, festival participants are invited to Brew Works for a special CD release festival party with the Jazz Funk Fusion Band, ‘Unfilled Desires’.
Sunday, June 8
General Information Through the powerful medium of film, community dialogue, networking, sharing of resources, and forming partnerships, The Berkshire Blossom Film Festival, a voice for positive change, hopes to inspire and encourage people to contribute to the improvement of our community and the world by networking shared values and information critical to building a “Whole and Healed Village.” The Berkshire Blossom Film Festival is being produced by Healing Winds, Humanity in Concert, Women’s Interfaith Institute, and the Berkshire Peace Collaborative in association with the Center for Ecological Technology, the Colonial Theatre and Newspapers in Education-The Berkshire Eagle’s Education Foundation. Corporate Sponsors are Aspinwell/Lenox Shops, The Blossom Food Network and Blossom Fund, Chocolate Springs, Haddad Toyota, Soco’ Creamery, and Always Young.
Pre-Festival Ticket prices:
Day of Festival All Day Ticket prices: Adults, $10.00
HIP Reception Only: $20.00 Children - 8 under free for all Festival Screenings, Events and Activities
Tickets Available at Colonial Theatre, Berkshire Fine Hand Crafts, Soco’s
For more information, please go to www.blogtheberkshires.com/bravo
or call: ----- NAIHRV Calendar of Upcoming Events Mark your calendar with theses upcoming events and plan to join in: June 3: Annual meeting and roundtable discussion. Details to be announced August 9: Mabee Farm Early Technology Day, Mabee Farm Rotterdam Junction, NY, Time: TBA September 13: Fort Crailo Historic Day, Rensselear, NY, Time: TBA Solstice Sweat Lodges, June 21-22 with Carl Big Heart Ashokan Field Campus, Olivebridge, NY And Carl's Omega Workshops July 21-25 & July 25-27 Sweat Lodge Information The sweat lodge ceremony is an ancient ceremony of prayer and purification. On Saturday and Sunday mornings well gather around 10 for a period of preparation and prayer, to build the fire and place the stones in a sacred way. Well enter the lodge around 1:00. Come one or both days.
Eat lightly or fast prior to the lodge and drink plenty of water. It is recommended that, while in the lodge, men wear shorts and women wear a light cotton dress or skirt and top which covers shoulders, chest and knees. Bring two towels and warm clothes to change into afterwards, and drinking water.
The feast which follows the lodge is an integral part of the ceremony and one we provide for together. So please bring nourishing food, prepared ahead of time. Please bring your own plates, utensils and serving utensils. As Big Heart reminds us, the food we prepare in love is shared with those who have supported one another's prayers this day and joined with you in prayers of the heart, as well as being an offering to Spirit. We will wait to begin the feast until elders and firekeepers have arrived, and the Spirit plate has been offered and prayed over together.
Please remember that the lodge starts the moment you commit to go to the ceremony and can have active effects in your life for an extended period after the day of the ceremony. It would be a good idea to set aside 5 or 10 minutes each day between now and the sweat lodge to reflect on why you are attending this ceremony. Look inside and acknowledge the parts of yourself that respond to the call of a sweat lodge.
Carl Big Heart focuses on building bridges between the worlds wisdom traditions and on healing the relationship between humankind and all living beings. Through healing ceremony with the Sacred Pipe, the Sweat Lodge and children's blessings, as well as giving in-depth talks, he seeks to connect us with our own living Earth roots. His work regularly takes him to Holland, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland
To bring true, effective and lasting healing to the Sacred Hoop of Life, we must join together in one prayer of the heart and flow into unified Spirit. Laying aside our attachment to beliefs, we move beyond form into universal synthesis. We are Spirit in the flesh. God is the Life living Itself within each of us. -- Carl Big Heart
Donations Carl Big Heart works by donation. As always, we are asked to be generous as to support the important and valuable work of our elders.
A separate donation will be collected to cover our expenses for firewood, travel expenses, and basic supplies. Please be as generous as you can. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Land Use Fee and lodging/camping An $11 land use fee will be collected for the Field Campus at Ashokan. Camping is an additional $10. Dorm beds in Lakeside lodge is an additional $15. General Contact Information:
Ruth Kenrick 845-626-2425 Lodging Reservations: Natalie Little Crow soulflowergirl(AT)gmail(DOT)com
NY Directions to Ashokan:
Take Kingston Exit 19 from Thruway (I87) and follow the sign to Route 28 West / Pine Hill (quick right after the toll). If coming from Ellenville or Rhinebeck, go west at the cloverleaf intersection of Routes 209 and 28. Continue on Route 28 West for 11.5 miles to the hamlet of Shokan. Turn left at Winchells Pizza (red building on left) onto Reservoir Road. (Also, an arrow sign on your right for Olivebridge 4 Miles points left for Reservoir Road.) Cross the Ashokan Reservoir Bridge and continue to the stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign onto Monument Road. This is just after passing between stone buildings on the bridge. This road bears downhill to the right and by staying to the right you will merge with route 28A. You will immediately enter the complex of buildings for the Ashokan Reservoir. Within this complex you will arrive at the intersection of 28 A and Beaverkill Road. Turn left onto Beaverkill Road, go aprox 2 miles and turn right into the Ashokan main entrance. Inside the entrance take the first right and follow it to the large parking lot which is at the bottom of the first hill.
Registration for the weekend is in the Pewter Shop at the bottom of the sweat lodge hill. Signs will be on the road to guide you. Please park in the designated area. Food and belongings can be left in this building. Carl's workshops at the Omega Institute. These are absolutely magical times to spend with Carl and the forces of love. Please check the Omega website for details: www.eomega.org July 21 to 25, a five day class: Circle of Purification and Renewal July 25 to 27, a weekend class: Living your Life as Ceremony
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