Hi Ojaians!
I am happy to announce that the 2nd Annual California Bear Dance Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 11th. The California Bear Dancers with spiritual leader and elder Henry Ortega have been invited by the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians (Chumash) to perform a ceremony with our community. They are here to bring healing to the community and are committed individuals who bring the healing power of bear medicine.
This years event will be in honor of “GRATITUDE”. This ceremony is dedicated to our Ojai black bear, Elliot/Suawasuniset who’s life was taken on 10/10/09. The ceremony will take place at Casa De La Luna, in Meiners Oaks. The Danza Azteca Mayahuel will open the event at 5pm with a traditional Aztec dance performance and the ceremony will go until 10pm.
I invited Julie Tumamait, our local Chumash elder and community leader, to share a few words about this years event. She shared this: “I wish for the community, especially the younger members of our valley to come and pray for each other and for all those who have lost a loved one to bring their name to the circle and give thanks that we are all better to have known them. We are all connected in one way or another in this valley and we need to support one another.”
Thank You Julie, for organizing such a wonderful event. This is truly a gift for the community.
The Event is FREE to the public. Bring your chairs, blankets, food and water. This is a time to pray and let go of negative feelings that don’t serve you, and to honor those who have passed on to Spirit.
In Joy,
Ali-Sun Trees
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi i’m Forrest in Hoopa Valley tribe and i am a meber of the northern river bear would love to dance with you. tintahblake58@yahoo.com
Hi i’m Forrest in Hoopa Valley tribe and i am a meber of the northern river bear would love to dance with you.