Kogui & Native American Elders Gather in Catskills

A delegation of spiritual elders (Mamas and Sages) of the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo people and Native American Elders from the Algonquin, Havasupai, Hopi, Mohawk, Navajo, Ojibwe Anishinaabe and Tewa traditions are coming together for a rare and unique meeting to reveal their insights about the state and future of Mother Earth. This "Meeting of the Elders" will take place in the Catskill mountains of upstate New York, at the Menla Mountain Retreat, from May 6-8. It promises rare  spiritual dialogues and dramatic encounters in the face of the prophetic year 2012. 

The Kogui are indigenous people living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains of Northern Colombia, in South America. They are the only civilization to have survived the Spanish conquests and to have kept their individuality. They are perhaps the only indigenous people in the world who, because of the particular nature of their surroundings, have been able to keep themselves apart and sustain their culture inviolate.

Numerous indigenous cultures of the Western hemisphere have kept alive a prophecy that foretold how native peoples will come together and reunite as one, known as the prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor. In the South, Center and North, many native peoples share its foretelling about balance and harmony, and about how intellect and spirituality should come together as one.  Our Elders tell us that we will unite and get our strength back like many arrows that will not be broken. They remember the history to keep the fire alive. We have to come together to be one, to have complete understanding.

During the last five centuries, the Eagle, representing the material world, has reigned. The Eagle dominated the Condor, who represents the world of the spirit and the heart, and symbolizes the wisdom of the native nations. According to the prophecy, we are now at the beginning of the “Fifth Pachacuti“, an era when the Condor is rising and will fly side by side with the Eagle.

The Kogui will send the following delegation to the Catskills:

• Mamo Jose Gabriel Alimaco Dingula - Kogui
• Ñankwa Chaparro - Spiritual Authority - Arhuaco
• Mamo Saul Martinez - Kankuamo
• Santo Sauna - Organizational Representative - Kogui
• Mamo Ramón Gil - Wiwa

Native North American delegations will include:

• Louise McDonald- Bear Clan Mother Tewakierahkwa
• Curtis Nelson-Bear Clan Chief Tehanakarine
• Chieftainship Title - Tehanakarine, Dragging Horns of the Kaniekehaka(Mohawk) Nation part of the Haudensaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy
• Mona Polacca M.S.W. is a Havasupai, Hopi, and Tewa Native American Elder whose tribal affiliation is of the Colorado River Indian Tribes of Parker, Arizona. She is a member of The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.
• Lee Wayne Lomayestewa, Pueblo Hopi Kikmongwi -Chief/Medicine Man
• Josephine Whiteduck – Clan Mother Algonquin –Chef William Commanda's daughter
• Monique Renaud- Algonquin- Pres. of Canadian Metis alliance
• Alden Narnjo, JR.  Southern Ute, Indian Tribe, Ignacio, CO President of NAC US, Medicine Man, 45 year Sun Dancer, Pipe Carrier (coming on the 9th)
• Jack Singer, Navajo, 22 year Sun Dancer, Medicine Man, Commander for Walk with Warrior
• Brian Nish Nung Matrious Ojibwe Anishinaabe (pipe carrier)
• Connie Moose Ojibwe Anishinaabe (pipe carrier)
  

The organizers recommend registering soon for this unique event, due to space limitations. 

Image: "Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta", by Haceme un 14 on Flickr, courtesy of Creative Commons Licensing