The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers to Hold Gathering in Brasilia, Brazil Oct.

Sept. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- The Center for Sacred Studies announces the 10th gathering of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers to be held at UNIPAZ (University of Peace) in Brasilia, Brazil from October 21 to October 24, 2011, followed by a workshop with the grandmothers on October 27.  Detailed information is available in both English and Portuguese.

The gathering is in honor of the Amazonian grandmothers Maria Alice Campos Freire, Clara Shinobu Iura and their people of Brazil.  Commenting on the theme of the gathering, The Grandmothers’ Voice: In the Flow of the Water, Grandmother Maria Alice  says, “We, as the people of the South, naturally were guided to dedicate our gathering to the Water. And we can witness the flow of this sacred element designing the event. The prophecy says about the encounter of the eagle and the condor as a sign of the New Time. This is the first of our gatherings that is going to happen in the condor's land and, as the time is approaching, we see the different expressions of native people from South America making signs, joining us, here in Brazil for this sacred moment, when we will host the people from the eagle's land."

Each day of the gathering will include prayers at the sacred fire and council teachings.  During the course of the four-day event elders from across Brazil, including South American Native elders, will discuss issues related to water. There will be a talking circle of youth and elders discussing inspirations and concerns for the earth, and activities with the children.

Grandmother Maria Alice and her people will join with the members of the Grandmothers Council to offer prayers to soften the hearts of those making decisions for the life of the forest. The waters of Brazil are in jeopardy now, as thousands of people join together from around the world to protest the proposed Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River. This Dam would seriously disrupt the lives and livelihoods of over 20,000 indigenous peoples and contribute to a massive increase of deforestation. There are also many actions to stop the new Forest Code being proposed by the Brazilian government that threatens an increase in deforestation and a softening of regulations that protect the fate of Brazil’s rainforests.

The four day event will culminate in a candlelight vigil on Brasilia’s Plaza of Ministries at the Head of the Eagle.

Grandmothers’ Mission Statement:
We, The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, represent a global alliance of prayer, education and healing for our Mother Earth, all Her inhabitants, all the children, and for the next seven generations to come. We are deeply concerned with the unprecedented destruction of our Mother Earth and the destruction of indigenous ways of life. We look to further our vision through the realization of projects that protect our diverse cultures: lands, medicines, language and ceremonial ways of prayer and through projects that educate and nurture our children.

Origins of the Grandmothers’ Council:
In the fall of 2004 thirteen indigenous Grandmothers gathered from the four directions, from Alaska, North, South, and Central America; Africa; and Asia. They came together at the Tibet House Menla Mountain Retreat center in upstate New York. Within three days they formed a Global Alliance for the good of all beings.
The Council was set in motion by a common vision, prophecies seeded decades ago in many people around the world. One of these seeds was planted by members of the Center for Sacred Studies which helps facilitate the Grandmothers’ many activities.

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