With the beautiful mountain of Bear Butte in the background, about 20 Northern Cheyenne youth, chaperones, cooks, and speakers gathered at the Bear Butte Lodge just outside of Sturgis, South Dakota for the first Coming of Age Gathering on October 21st – 23rd. The Coming of Age Gathering strived to reconnect the youth to their identities by introducing them to the philosophy and concepts of the Medicine Wheel Model and exposing them to teachings from respected elders from the Northern Cheyenne Community.

The gathering was designed to reflect the philosophy of the Medicine Wheel Model, which is based in Northern Cheyenne teachings, so that the youth could learn concepts such as Left Brain/Right Brain, Linear and Circular Thinking, and the Mirror Concept. The speakers and elders integrated these concepts into their presentations and discussions so the youth could learn how to utilize what they learned to deal with everyday, contemporary issues they may encounter.

On Saturday, the youth learned how to care for a sweat lodge, which included cleaning in and around the lodge, putting the fire together, and taking the lodge apart after use. In addition, they learned how to prepare, feed, and clean up the meal after the sweat. With this they learned how to communicate with each other and work as a group. Elders, speakers, and youth participated in several discussion sessions that focused on the rights, responsibilities, and sacredness of men and women. Some of these sessions were separated into males and females, so that the women elders and speakers could communicate to the young women about their sacredness, how and why they should respect themselves, and their identity as Northern Cheyenne women.  The men elders and speakers spoke with the young men about their sacredness, their role and identity within the Cheyenne culture, and why they should respect themselves and women.  After the sweat lodge ceremony elders were served dinner first, then young women, young men, and last the warriors and leaders, a protocol practiced amongst the Cheyenne.

On Sunday, the entire group, minus the cooks and elders, hiked Bear Butte. Phillip Whitman Jr. and elders spoke with the youth about the significance of Bear Butte and of hiking Bear Butte. Each person carried little rocks or pebbles that represented their loved ones, family, friends, or people they wanted to pray for as they hiked to the top. After coming down from the mountain, everyone participated in a wrap up discussion, meal and prayer.

More News from Conscious Alliance:

April Food Delivery to Pine Ridge

In April, the Conscious Alliance team, accompanied by Advisory Board member Mike Bank and his family, made a trip up to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in a fully loaded twenty-two foot Penske truck. We carried with us over 4000 pounds of food that was donated by our generous community at Food Drives at recent music events, along with a plethora of clothing and other donated items.

Join Us for a FREE Show on Sunday May 13th in Denver!

In celebration of the new album ‘Aquatic Hitchhiker’ LEFTOVER SALMON will perform a free concert on the 700 Block of Santa Fe Drive from 1pm – 6pm on May 13th! This event is a benefit for Conscious Alliance!

Great Cycle Spectacles Oakland

We are very excited to team up with STS9 this weekend to host a Food Drive at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA on April 20th & 21st! Mars-1 has created a poster that will be available to all patrons who donate 20 non-perishable food items to the Food Drive.

Kurt Redeker – Interdimensional Artist

We want to give you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about our artists and what they’re up to in our new series of artist profiles. The first artist we would like to introduce is Kurt Redeker, master digital visionary artist and owner of Knew Conscious Gallery in downtown Denver.

Wanee Music Festival

Come join us at Wanee Music Festival this weekend, April 19-21, 2012! We will be hosting an ‘Art That Feeds’ Food Drive sponsored by Live Nation at this event at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida.