Gathering in Gratitude South Dakota
Donation protected
The 10th Annual Gathering in Gratitude, a week-long, Vermont-based workshop and performance that helps people connect with the power of nature, imagination and community, has been invited to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota this summer to collaborate with Lakota youth, adults and elders coping with an unprecedented level of teen suicides. The invitation follows a successful June 2015 Gathering in Gratitude where 7 Lakota teens and mentors traveled to Brattleboro to share with locals a process that builds a deeper sense of aliveness, creativity and purpose in the world for its inter-generational participants.
When young adults and children, some as young as 7 years old, are committing and attempting suicide at the rate that they are on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, we CANNOT stand by and do nothing. We have got to help. Gathering in Gratitude has already begun helping and with your help can do much more. “The Gathering in Gratitude experience was great. It helped the teens build resilience, self confidence and the outside-world relationships they really need," Tony Ten Fingers, author, and leader of the last year's Lakota delegation, said. Several of the teens from last year, inspired by the experience, are helping bring the Gathering in Gratitude process to more Lakota youth from June 26 to July 3, 2016, in collaboration with artists, activists and suicide prevention counselors on the reservation.
This is an opportunity for those of us who care about the children of this world to come together to participate in and support something that builds relationships and makes a positive difference in the lives of youth who are really suffering.
Last year a team of volunteers from Mahalo Art Center raised the money to bring the Lakota teens and mentors to Brattleboro where they spent a week getting to know people from Vermont and beyond. For some it was their first trip away from home. They worked with local peers, children, elders, artists, writers, directors and others to co-create the unique, culminating public presentation of movement, music, poetry -- the 'mythic pageant' -- that results from each and every Gathering in Gratitude. Participants named last year's performance "Life, Death, Dreams and Transformation."
A video about it can be seen HERE.
We are raising $35,000 for the scholarship fund for
Lakota children and teens wanting to participate and for any other individuals whose hearts know they want to go but can't afford it. The funds will also seed a documentary being made that will be shared world wide giving voice to the youth and spreading their vision for the future.
While all participants will pay what they can, your donations will complete paying for travel, housing, food and scholarships.
Scholarship details:
$60 will pay for 1 day of food and lodging for 1 participant.
$480 will pay for food and lodging for 1 participant for the duration of the program.
$800 will pay for full tuition for 1 participant.
$700 will cover transportation (including food and lodging) to and from South Dakota for 1 person.
The presentations given on July 1 and 2 will raise money for a food pantry at Pine Ridge run by the Bear Program, which supports youth at risk.
Help make this to be the most successful it can be and DONATE!
Give what you can. If it's just a little now and a little later, and some after that, that is all perfect and so very much appreciated. We will make sure you get all the gifts offered for the total that you give.
(donations are tax deductible through Mahalo Art
Please visit Mahalo Art Center's website to learn more about Gathering in Gratitude and -- with your help -- the upcoming 10th Annual Gathering in Gratitude at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, June 26 to July 3, 2016.
When young adults and children, some as young as 7 years old, are committing and attempting suicide at the rate that they are on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, we CANNOT stand by and do nothing. We have got to help. Gathering in Gratitude has already begun helping and with your help can do much more. “The Gathering in Gratitude experience was great. It helped the teens build resilience, self confidence and the outside-world relationships they really need," Tony Ten Fingers, author, and leader of the last year's Lakota delegation, said. Several of the teens from last year, inspired by the experience, are helping bring the Gathering in Gratitude process to more Lakota youth from June 26 to July 3, 2016, in collaboration with artists, activists and suicide prevention counselors on the reservation.
This is an opportunity for those of us who care about the children of this world to come together to participate in and support something that builds relationships and makes a positive difference in the lives of youth who are really suffering.
Last year a team of volunteers from Mahalo Art Center raised the money to bring the Lakota teens and mentors to Brattleboro where they spent a week getting to know people from Vermont and beyond. For some it was their first trip away from home. They worked with local peers, children, elders, artists, writers, directors and others to co-create the unique, culminating public presentation of movement, music, poetry -- the 'mythic pageant' -- that results from each and every Gathering in Gratitude. Participants named last year's performance "Life, Death, Dreams and Transformation."
A video about it can be seen HERE.
We are raising $35,000 for the scholarship fund for
Lakota children and teens wanting to participate and for any other individuals whose hearts know they want to go but can't afford it. The funds will also seed a documentary being made that will be shared world wide giving voice to the youth and spreading their vision for the future.
While all participants will pay what they can, your donations will complete paying for travel, housing, food and scholarships.
Scholarship details:
$60 will pay for 1 day of food and lodging for 1 participant.
$480 will pay for food and lodging for 1 participant for the duration of the program.
$800 will pay for full tuition for 1 participant.
$700 will cover transportation (including food and lodging) to and from South Dakota for 1 person.
The presentations given on July 1 and 2 will raise money for a food pantry at Pine Ridge run by the Bear Program, which supports youth at risk.
Help make this to be the most successful it can be and DONATE!
Give what you can. If it's just a little now and a little later, and some after that, that is all perfect and so very much appreciated. We will make sure you get all the gifts offered for the total that you give.
(donations are tax deductible through Mahalo Art
Please visit Mahalo Art Center's website to learn more about Gathering in Gratitude and -- with your help -- the upcoming 10th Annual Gathering in Gratitude at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, June 26 to July 3, 2016.
Organizer
Luz Elena Morey
Organizer
Brattleboro, VT
