Press Release - the International Council of Thirteen

For Immediate Release
PA G E 1 of 3
ANNOUNCING THE 13TH GATHERING OF
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF THIRTEEN INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHERS
September 4-7, 2014 - Spearfish, South Dakota
Tempe, Arizona - The 2014 Annual Gathering of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous
Grandmothers has a particularly auspicious ring to it...it is the 13th gathering of the thirteen
women elders who've traveled the globe with a committed message of peace, directed prayer and
a calling for mankind's renewed passion and commitment to protecting “Mother Earth”.
The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers consists of a diverse mixture of
women of prayer who come from many countries, represent many belief systems and speak many
languages, with a unified message of protecting and healing the earth as their main priority.
For the last decade these thirteen remarkable women have spoken to millions around the world
and to world leaders about the power humans possess to not just create new things - new
technologies, new businesses, new economies - but the power to heal and renew the one thing
we all have in common and live on but cannot live without.
The 13th Annual Gathering of the International
Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers will take
place September 4-7, 2014 in the well-known and
sacred Black Hills region of the United States. With
each global gathering hosted by the grandmother who
calls that place home, the 2014 event will be hosted
by "Unci" (Lakota for Grandmother) Rita Long
Visitor Holy Dance in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Unci Rita is Oglala Lakota and lives SE of the sacred
He Sapa (Black Hills) in the SW corner of the Pine
Ridge Indian Reservation on land that was allotted to
her grandparents more than 100 years ago.
From September 4-7, attendees from all over the
world will have an opportunity to not only soak in the
stark beauty and spirituality of the Black Hills but to
actively participate in daily workshops, breakout
sessions around specific topics, a special Pow Wow
(dance ceremony) and to take part in daily fireside
prayers with the Thirteen Grandmothers.
UNCI RITA LONG VISITOR HOLY DANCE
C O N TA C T : International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
Linda Rettinger | Marisol Villanueva
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.grandmotherscouncil.org
P H O TO S AVA I L ABL E UPO N REQ UEST
For Immediate Release
PA G E 2 of 3
ANNOUNCING THE 13TH GATHERING OF
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF THIRTEEN INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHERS
September 4-7, 2014 - Spearfish, South Dakota
At this time (but subject to change) ten of the Thirteen Grandmothers are planning on attending
this very special event. Besides host Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance, the other grandmothers
include:
• Grandmother Aama Bombo – Tamang, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim – Takelma-Siletz, Oregon, USA
• Grandmother Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Dance – Oglala Lakota, South Dakota, USA
• Grandmother Bernadette Rebienot – Omyene, Gabon, Africa
• Grandmother Mona Polacca – Hopi-Havasupai-Tewa, Arizona, USA
• Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein – Yup'ik, Alaska, USA
• Grandmother Maria Alice Campos Freire – Brazilian, Brasilia, Amazonas, Brazil
• Grandmother Flordemayo – Mayan, Nicaragua, New Mexico, USA
• Grandmother Julieta Casimiro – Mazatec, Huautla de Jimenez, Mexico
Those wishing to attend have a variety of options available to them including a 4-Day Pass at
$550, individual day passes for Thursday, Friday and Sunday at $125 per day, a Saturday day
pass (including Pow Wow) at $150 and for locals wishing to only attend the Pow Wow, a $10
event admission fee.
All Native American Tribal members are eligible to attend at no charge provided they offer tribal
ID with their advance registration. Non-Native American elders 70+ in age may be eligible for a
limited number of scholarships and may request scholarship consideration online with initial
registration. Youth under 16 and accompanied by an adult are free.
For more event information including online registration, travel and accommodations please visit
the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers website at
www.grandmotherscouncil.org or email us at [email protected].
For press and media requests, please email us at [email protected].
C O N TA C T : International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
Linda Rettinger | Marisol Villanueva
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.grandmotherscouncil.org
P H O TO S AVA I L ABL E UPO N REQ UEST
For Immediate Release
PA G E 3 of 3
ANNOUNCING THE 13TH GATHERING OF
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF THIRTEEN INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHERS
September 4-7, 2014 - Spearfish, South Dakota
OFFICIAL THEME POSTER
C O N TA C T : International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
Linda Rettinger | Marisol Villanueva
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.grandmotherscouncil.org
P H O TO S AVA I L ABL E UPO N REQ UEST