April 28 , 2008
GrandMother Drum Activates Michigan
Dear Community,
Since our Prayerformance in Weymouth, Massachusetts April 4, 2008, we have received numerous emails from some traditional Native Americans regarding our international healing work. Our hosts around the world have also received phone calls and emails.
The common questions that have been raised are in reference to the heritage of members of the Whirling Rainbow Foundation, concerns about the funding of ceremonies and events, use of ceremonial items, as well as questions regarding the origins of the teachings, ceremonies, and songs of The Whirling Rainbow Foundation and GrandMother Drum International Peace Project.
We acknowledge that many of these comments contain anger and pain. If we all choose to look deeper within, we can discover the roots of our feelings, allowing them to assist us all to move into healing and creative solutions.
After reading and listening to all comments, the Board of Directors and Advisory Council of the Whirling Rainbow Foundation and the GrandMother Drum International Peace Project takes this opportunity to respond, clarify and create deeper understanding.
To give respect to the questions and concerns of the Native American Community, we have opened Friday, May 2, 2008 at 6:00pm at the Troy Community Hall 3179 Livernois MI for a Community Peace Circle to address these interests heart to heart. We are honored to welcome all those that have voiced their feelings through emails or phone calls to come in a peaceful way to resolve these concerns. We also welcome all those who feel called and would benefit from this kind of circle.
We look forward to meeting with all of you.
The Board of the Whirling Rainbow Foundation
OUR NEXT WORLDWIDE GLOBAL PEACE DRUMMING
will be held on May 1, 2008 in collaboration with the Love Foundation and Global Love Day. see our webpage for more details. http://www.whirlingrainbow.com/dvd.htm
GLOBAL UNITY:
WE ARE RECOGNIZING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DIVERSITY OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AND CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE PLANET.
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples: no need for a complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." -The Dalai Lama
LETTERS THIS WEEK FROM OUR GLOBAL FAMILY:
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS HOST SPONSOR SHIRLEY RICHARDSON
"I had the honor and great joy of hosting you (White Eagle) and the GrandMother Drum International Peace Project to come to Weymouth, Massachusetts to share your vision of peace for the world.
My greatest fear was that you would not be real – that your stage presence was an act. I found you are the most "real" person I have ever had the privilege to meet. Whether you are 25% , 12% or 0% of Native American blood, you represent 100% of the indigenous grandmother spirit. You message of finding peace within ourselves so we can find peace within the world is real. Your passion for your work is real. In a recent phone conversation you even commented how heartfelt it was to see some of the Native American tribes coming together as a community. Unfortunately, you are bearing the brunt of that unity.
That Friday night we went from a joyful peaceful community to a lock-down situation with police patrolling the parking lot. You said the experience was teaching us how to walk the talk of peace. To be able to work though our fear and anger and send peace to people who tried to make a mockery of a peaceful event and destroy a sacred drum of the people.
It has taken time to deal with the anger of seeing my granddaughter and other people terrorized. It has taken time to deal with the fear of my words adding fuel to this whirlwind hysteria of half truths, complete fabrications and character assassination. It has taken time to deal with the rage against those who are attempting to destroy you and your gift to the world. Walking the talk of peace is not easy, but I don't need to tell you that. You are living it constantly with grace and passion. You are the light.
Know that you loved and supported as an individual and as a spiritual leader.
Peace and blessings to you, Tymoreye' and all those carrying the message of GrandMother Drum.
Aurora aka Shirley Richardson
Wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, peace keeper, drum keeper,
member of the clan of humanity.
"I am unable to be with you in person on Fri but I am praying for you and all those who are in pain, anger etc. and are stuck in the past ways of creating change. I will also be with you on Fri as time allows and during the time you will be meeting. Thank you for Rev. Whites message yesterday. I also was sent a channel from Archangel Michael who talked about reconciliation being part of the energies for May and caught a glimpse of the end of news that the Canadian Govt. is issuing a formal apology to our indigenous peoples for the harm that was done by the residential schools. So you are in the midst of a big shift. Thank you for holding your part of all of this Love and light,-Dianne, Vancouver Island, Canada
"Thank you for keeping me updated with your emails.
I pray that any narrow minded souls open their hearts to realize that we are all ONE -
the teachings are not of one tribe, they are from God...
As Americans we are a blend of many ancient people from all over the world.
We must stop this individualization of "what are you?"
We should ask the question what are you NOW? Are you a nice person ?
Yes, this is how people should be categorized, not by blood, color or origin...
Are you a nice person, NOW?
What difference does it make where we come from or what blood we have.
We are all here now on Earth. We are all ONE. We all want Love, Peace, Harmony...
Why fight among ourselves ? It goes against all of the Spiritual Teachings of Any Tribe.
Your words say it all....
Whirling Rainbow Foundation and the
GrandMother Drum International Peace Project
Remind those who do not understand....
YOU ARE PROMOTING PEACE -
FOR ALL - FOR WE ARE ALL ONE.
I will add Grandmother Drum into my prayers.
Peace, my Brothers & Sisters in the Light.
Love, Light & Laughter,"
Elizabeth, Rhode Island
Beloveds,
You are in my heart and prayers of late.
I stand with you in spirit. The Tribe of Oneness is a truth.
It will also stand to those who are aligned.
Tarika, Fairbanks, Alaska
Hello dear ones,
Keeping you in thoughts of love and courage and surrounding
you with light today and every day
Blessings and gratitude,
Nancy from Angels by the Sea, Massachusetts
Aloha Dearest White Eagle Medicine Woman,
"I am aghast! Thank you for writing to us about this challenging situation.
It seems that the darkness has been brought to the light to be healed.
Stand strong in your Love.
Stand strong in your commitment to Peace.
As we grow we are tested in our willingness to be vulnerable and open vs.defensive and right.
Yet acting firm in our convictions, responding not reacting, which is what you are doing!
This situation will be the inspiration for all of us who must encounter the darkness, as we grow in the Light.
Thank God the drum is OK!
It must have been so scarey!
I am praying for the people who did this, sending them Light and Love.
The Force Be With You!
My Prayer:
Great Spirit, you are everywhere in all people, in all situations, in all relationships.
I pray for your Love to be manifest.
I pray for Understanding and Peace to prevail.
I pray for the healing of the people who wish to hurt and harm.
May they find their own Spirits. May they find the Great Reality deep down within them; the Great Reality of Peace, Harmony, Love and Understanding.
May your all pervading Truth be expressed.
May all hear the beat of Grandmother Drum. And so it is.
Mahalo ke Akua!"-White Dove, Hawaii
"Our prayers are with you. The dialougue is so big now on Turtle Island. You have a very large audience."-Shelia, Canada
"My name is Helen Gilstrap and I had the opportunity to visit with you and the Grandmother Drum in Chattanooga in March. It was an awesome experience and I now carry one of the baby drums. It saddens my heart to know that you have been attacked when the work that you are doing is from the heart and so needed at this time. Most of the elders I know have also been attacked in some form or fashion, Follow you vision and keep on drumming, you are making a difference in the world. Grandmother touched my heart and I know the hearts of many. One day we will be able to stand together in harmony and love for the good of all and expecially the Earth Mother and the waters. Many blessings to you and may the heartbeat of Grandmother continue to send love and healing into the universe."
Helen
"What an absolutely WONDERFUL newsletter. Thank you so very much.
Consider my prayers with you, always. Sending love and gratitude to all. "
Love, Maureen Moss, World Puja Network
Aho Sister,
I send you the protection of the Arch Angels & the Love of Great Spirit to open every ones heart to listen and recognize that there is good intention and a great message that you carry. Please let me know how it goes.
Namaste, Yolanda, New Mexico
"I can't be in Troy with you, but stand with you in prayer and spirit.
If there is a specific time for prayers and/or common intention, please let me know and I will hold space and pray with you for the highest good,
As you know, this painful cleaning of the wound(s) is a necessary part of
healing. Be safe and stay strong in the love of the heart my friend.
My love, blessings and prayers to you and The GMD team.
-Ed, North Carolina
"I stand with you in your peace circle this Friday night (although I will be physically in New Jersey) and will put the event on our CCL prayer list for peace, harmony and understanding. I stand in peace and work to clear myself of anything unlike peace (while acknowledging my own times of frustration or not understanding other points of view) so that I may have no position, and just stand in/as peace. I will ask others here to join me....and we will join you. Be at peace.
Infinite Love and blessings, Rev.Carol, New Jersey
"My prayers are with you as you meet with the Native Americans and others who will chose to come and talk with you on May 2nd.
May this dialog bring understanding and peace to all. I will be anxiously awaiting the outcome and praying that it is all to the good."
Kris, Cape Cod, Mass.
Greetings and Peace Suraj, and Tymoreye,
"I wanted to let you know that I was in attendance at the Weymouth April 4 ceremony, and I was deeply impressed by all of it.
I have been following the story since that evening, and would like to express my regret for any misguided behavior, as well as my respect for you in your attempts to understand and forgive.
But on the ceremony itself, and what it did for, and to me....One word, and it is hard to put it into one word, amazing. I was positively overwhelmed by the drum, the people, what you give forth from your own hearts. Then, here is the MOST amazing thing, I had a dream about you almost three weeks after the event, this week, which was one of the most heart opening dreams of my life....Enough said. Keep up the good work, you are needed, obviously, on the planet to do this good work. Thank you SO much, and much luck for your meeting." From, The Dragonfly, Massachusetts
"I stand with you in spirit even stronger than I could in body. You are peace and light, a truth by which the sun continues to rise and the moon continues to shine. Should your path be rocky, come into my home to rest. There are many more who love you, than don't. TheGrandmother Drum is stronger than we can ever know, and she will continue to beat, and her beat will heal the voices of the ones in pain. We will send light to you and to those whose pain in unearthed by the great healing beat of the drum. "It has to hurt, if it's to heal." We will have a drumming circle of our own elders here in NJ at the same time as your vigil, and your song of peace will be firmly anchored at this portal/songline of the east." Many blessings Elienne, New Jersey
"Dear White Eagle:
I am sending my best wishes and energy to your meeting with Native American people. Anger, pain and fear are not good advisers and I pray so the people who are going to come to your meeting to be enough self-centered to speak from their wise heart and not from their pain. Nevertheless, I think you need to try in advance to gather truly representative leaders of Native American people to your meeting so they can hold back the anger of the radical people. Radical people perceive themselves as the victims and perceive you as the "torturer" so they are not going to listen to you, so they need to be controlled by their own fellows. May the spirit of grandfather fire and grandmother drum be forever in your heart! We will be in heart with you in your meeting!
Armando, Oaxaca, Mexico ¡Te invitamos a compartir nuestra esencia!
"Beautiful letter. I have also experienced the persecution, accusations and misunderstandings myself. I knew when you told the story of the Australians that you had the experience to walk this US tour. What the Grandmother Drum Project represents is able to transcend the hurdle. I will be there to support you from the perspective of healing these deep tribal wounds that are held within the hearts and collective cellular memory of us all. I am planning to hold a gathering at my office for the (Beltane) Global Love Day. I will be sure to get the people who show up to help with a vigil to support your work in Detroit on the 2nd. What you are doing is very powerful and I admire your strength, compassion and concern for the future of Planet Earth and all of her inhabitants.
My prayers and support are with you as you walk this path. Plahechkapo (Lakota:Take courage and have faith.)~Suzanne, Colorado
"Dear White Eagle and Friends and Colleagues on the Journey,
Ever since talking with Ann Kiraly last weekend about the struggles you all have been having in planning the Ohio and Michigan events, you all have been in my prayers. I am somewhat surprised and so very sorry that all this negativity has had to transpire around your wonderful work! However, I guess this is part of the process as your Light becomes Brighter and Brighter. We are all experiencing such Hi's and Low's these days...
Anyway, please be assured that you have and will continue to have my unending support of your fine work! Keep moving forward in Centeredness, Courage, and Hope! LOVE's Victory is Assured~!!!
Infinite Peace, Love, and Harmony, Maria Dancing Heart, Washington
"Much love to you dear one for all that you give and share with us. It takes a great commitment, effort, will, and power to walk the path as you do. You are great inspiration to me and you keep awakening my heart like a shine star it can look up to in awe and be reminded of why we are here. When I imagine the future with the whirling rainbow family in it, and you in it, itdraws out as a magnificent painting of love, strength, courage, and grace."Tom, Colorado
"You are doing great work! Thank you! greetings from Innsbruck/Austria
-Carsten
"Dearest White Eagle,
I find myself compelled to share my feelings of respect for you. I was in attendance at the prayerformance in Weymouth, MA on April 4. Although I was travelling and unable to attend your events on the following days, I appreciated the invitation. Your encouragement to integrate the unpleasant experience of Friday evening I found to be a sign of a true healer. As you expressed, a Wounded Healer. This I can relate to. Every word you expressed that night was a healing unto itself. Your guides must surely be elated with your dedication and sincerity. I can only imagine this is not an easy task you have embarked upon, yet a highly noble one. Blessings be with you and Grandmother Drum. Namaste, Phoebe, Massachuesetts "
GrandMother Drum Initiates New Community Drum in Newtown, Pennsylvania
At the April 13, 2008 Prayerformance, GrandMother Drum sent her heartbeat out to over a hundred and twenty people who gathered at the oldest working theater in America, the Newtown Theatre. We shared an intimate evening of story, songs, prayer and group drumming to inspire and celebrate each other in unity and peace. It was especially beautiful to see so many children dancing around GrandMother Drum. There were so many loving gifts shared and a glow in everyones hearts as we packed the stage with everyone around Grandmother Drum.
First, we want to thank Honey of Soulutions for Daily Living who gave us tremendous support and who assisted in receiving many phone calls and emails that she handled with love, caring and a listening heart. Thanks to all the staff at the Newtown Theatre who were so accomodating.
The event was also made possible by several sponsors who assisted in providing the facility and who continue to create a sacred space of healing and empowerment throughout Bucks County community.
These include: Be The Change, Jodee Chiziver, Omphalos Center for Peace, Spirit in the Wood, Steaz Soda, Valarie and Ian Haag of Rainbows of Healing, Susan Lethbridge and Harriet Leff of S.A.G.A., Shera Marai of Santuary Within and Susan Duvall Seminars.
On Thursday, April 17, 2008 over twenty gathered at Soulutions For Daily Living to initiated a new three foot Community “ Mother Drum” for the Newtown Community. Many had received guidance and messages on the mission of the new drum and it was wonderful to be blest with both youth and Elders in the circle. The new Community Mother Drum will join the GrandMother Drum’s international network at eight times during the year when we pray peace with the drum in over 360 cities in 50 countries.
