9th Annual International Indigenous Leadership Gathering

Worldwide Indigenous Peoples are now empowered and are taking the initiative by uniting through spirituality to heal themselves and their communities and to protect the sacred cultural teachings, lands and resources. Indigenous people have been facing cultural-loss due to the aggressive assimilation policies still underway. At the same time, the remaining elders are quickly passing on. Continent to continent, the teachings that have guided countless generations, rooting the children and connecting the youth and next generations, are at risk. Recognizing the crossroads, the elders across many Indigenous cultures across the globe have guided us that we must act now to safeguard our teachings. Governments call these teachings ‘traditional knowledge’; however, it is Sacred Knowledge, of Sacred Life Relationships, connecting us all in the Circle of Life.

Throughout the 1st and 2nd IILG we have heard shared-teachings from the Hopi, Lakota, Maya and other Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and throughout the world who say that the time for reconnection is now. Time is short for restoring the balance. The children need us to move with truth, love, and discipline. We have been instructed to come together for real reflection. Unlike other meetings, this gathering will take place at a sacred site, in the heart of an Indigenous Nation’s ancestral territory by Swena7em Mountain.

Recently, the Gathering has brought together elders, ceremony keepers, and mandated leaders from the Four Directions including: Asia, Africa, the America’s (including the Arctic), Australia, and the South Pacific to discuss issues of common concern, based on territory, as well as visions for honouring the shared responsibilities.
The four critical issues to be addressed at the gathering include:
1) Sacred Knowledge- Embracing the guidance of our ancestors and elders, to live in balance.
2) Sacred Lands- Respecting the rhythms and warnings of Mother Earth to choose wisely.
3) Sacred Children- Nurturing the young ones, both near and far.
4) Sacred Generations- providing for future generations, the grandchildren and for all humanity.

Addressing such topics in their proper cultural context will provide a breakthrough for us as Indigenous Peoples internationally. It offers protection for the children and grounding for the youth, at a time when meaningful initiatives for tackling the root causes of culture loss are scarce. There will be relevant guidance from recognized spiritual authorities instead of further outside ‘expert’ prescriptions. Indigenous Peoples themselves will address the pressing global issues at which their Peoples now find themselves the centre of – for example, climate change.

The Sacred Fires have been lit. In August 2008 tobacco was delivered to Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota), 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, to formalize his invitation. Chief Arvol Looking Horse and many other elders have spoken at the 1st and 2nd IILG and Chief Looking Horse.