Daily Archives: May 27, 2016

Paddle to Nisqually 2016

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JOINT NEWS RELEASE CITY AND PORT PARTNER WITH NISQUALLY TRIBE ON CANOE JOURNEY LANDING

City of Olympia News Release | CITY AND PORT PARTNER WITH NISQUALLY TRIBE ON CANOE JOURNEY LANDING

Date of Release: May 10, 2016
Contact:· Kellie Purce Braseth· 360.753.8361· kbraseth@ci.olympia.wa.us
Port of Olympia and City of Olympia team with Nisqually Indian Tribe for Canoe Journey Landing in July
OLYMPIA – The City of Olympia and the Port of Olympia are proud to partner with the Nisqually Indian Tribe as they host the 2016 Paddle to Nisqually Canoe Journey landing in downtown Olympia on July 30, 2016. “The cooperation between the tribe and Port of Olympia and City of Olympia is good and much of the downtown planning is being completed by them for the July 30 Landing Day,” said Farron McCloud, Chairman of the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The Landing Day events will take place at NorthPoint at the tip of the Port of Olympia peninsula. The tribe is expecting approximately 18,000 people to attend and witness the landing of more than 120 canoes representing more than 50 tribes from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Alaska. “The City of Olympia is honored to partner with our neighbors, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and support this historic cultural event,” said Cheryl Selby, Mayor of Olympia. Port Commissioner Bill McGregor stated, “As we work with the Nisqually Indian Tribe on the canoe landing, we learn about their history and culture and our respect for them continues to grow. We are honored to have a role in this historic event.”
Parking/Free Shuttle.
The public can find parking in designated downtown parking lots or on the street. Access to Marine Drive will be restricted beginning at the Marine Drive – Jefferson Street intersection and the Market Street – Franklin Street intersection where a free shuttle service will begin at 10:00 a.m. The DASH bus will run its regular route with stops at the Farmers Market.
Launch Ramp-Moorage Closures.
The Swantown launch ramp will be closed on July 30th. The nearest launch ramp is Boston Harbor Marina. Swantown and Port Plaza guest moorage will be reserved for support boats from July 29 through Aug. 8.
Food.
Food and merchant vendors will be available at the site and the Hearthfire Restaurant will remain open with reservations recommended.
Green Event.
Organizers are working to make Landing Day a green event. Attendees are being encouraged to bring their own water bottles to the venue and a priority has been placed on recycling and recyclable materials.
Volunteers/Food Vendors.
The Port and City are seeking volunteers and food vendors for the July 30 event. To sign up as a volunteer or vendor for Landing Day, July 30, visit the Port of Olympia’s website at http://www.portolympia.com/341/2016-Paddle-to-Nisqually-Canoe-Journey From July 31 to Aug. 6, 2016, the canoe journey events will move to the Nisqually Indian Reservation where most of the protocol events will be held on a 40-acre site prepared for seven days of dancing, storytelling, visiting, and protocol. Planning and implementation of this part of the historic event is being completed by a canoe journey committee composed of volunteers and employees of the Nisqually Tribe, under the direction of McCloud and the Nisqually Tribal Council.
For additional information:
Nisqually Indian Tribe and Canoe Journey Information
Farron McCloud, Chairman, Nisqually Indian Tribe
360.456.5221 ext. 1238 – mccloud.farron@nisqually-nsn.gov
Nisqually Indian Tribe Canoe Journey Public Relations
Sheila McCloud, Tribal Council Secretary, Nisqually Indian Tribe
360.456.5221 ext. 1227 – mccloud.sheila@nisqually-nsn.gov
City of Olympia, Parking/Shuttle/Food Vendor Information
Kellie Purce Braseth, Strategic Communications Director, City of Olympia
360.753.8361 – kbraseth@ci.olympia.wa.us
Port of Olympia, Port Facility/Volunteer Information
Jennie Foglia-Jones, Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator, Port of Olympia 360.528.8005 – jennief@portolympia.com
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World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites Day 2016

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World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites Day 2016

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World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites Day 2016

Maka akantula (People of the Earth),

My name is Nac’a Arvol Looking Horse founder of World Peace and Prayer Day and Honoring Sacred Sites Day, spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Sioux Nations, known as the Buffalo People.

I humbly ask People of the Earth to join together at your own sacred place of prayer, in the effort of healing our Ina Maka (Mother Earth) on June 21st.

For 20 years, People heard the great calling to follow their spirit and helped bring attention to Ina Maka’s Sacred Sites around the world, All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer. Wopila (a great thank you) to each and every one of you that made a difference creating that sacred circle in your territory. I would also like to take this time to acknowledge the People who are making sacrifices, either through walking, riding in sacred Horse Rides or running, to bring attention to the atrocities and preserve what we have left for our children’s children.

When the Elders passed the Sacred Bundle to me to care for on behalf of the People, they told me of the warning that came from Pte San Win (White Buffalo Calf Woman) 19 generations ago. She left a prophecy that when animals are born white, it would be a sign of a blessing, but this sign would be a symbol of opportunity to change the path of destruction to all life that we would be on. I thought that this would not be in my lifetime. The birth of the white buffalo calf Miracle in 1994 and all the white animals that stood upon the earth since that time are messages that we can no longer ignore. We have always known that man has gone too far, even scientifically this sad truth has been shared of earth and climate changes.

Children are now being born with great sickness, just as the Elders told us would happen. Water is now contaminated throughout the world, the blood of our Mother Earth. The power of Woc’ekiya, which means kiya to send, c’aya to cry (prayer) has to be done with great intention of great Unity, this is what has brought us through many hard times. It is time for this understanding to take place on a global scale.

We are asking all People of the Earth to help create this energy shift by making the Woc’ekiya stronger by going to your own Sacred Site or place of your Faith on June 21st, to join together to pray for the healing of the World’s Sacred Waters. This year, I will be joining you while attending a traditional ceremony, many prayers are going out to protect our mni wic’oni, our water of life.

I sincerely ask for Unity on behalf of all life upon Mother Earth to heal and all life to come. It is time all People understand Mother Earth is the Source of life, not a resource.

In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning.

Onipiktec’a (that we shall live),

Nac’a (Chief) Arvol Looking Horse 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe