Mabrika Itaino,
(Welcome Family)

We hope this newsletter finds you well! As we gear up for the spring season, we have some exciting updates and announcements to share with you all.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled:
We have a big announcement coming in the middle of April! We can’t give away too much just yet, but trust us, it’s going to be worth the wait. 

A Call to Our Beautiful Amazing Volunteers (and Men!): 
We are putting out a call for volunteers who are interested in working on the Land with us. We are specifically looking for people who are tech-savvy and can help with our (super-secret) tech-maintenance, as well as those who can assist with gardening, wood splitting, and the tipi set-up. 

We are also looking for men circle coordinators who are interested in setting up men’s workshops or retreats. And for the hands-on types, we are looking for men who are interested in learning how to use chainsaws, wood splitters, wood chippers, and ATVs for hauling wood. Carpentry and gardening skills are welcome!

Here are our Spring Volunteer Weekends:

• Friday April 14th through Sunday April 16th
• Friday April 21st through Sunday April 23rd (Earth Day Weekend)
• Sunday May 7th (the day after our sweat)
• Friday May 12th through Sunday May 14th
• Sunday May 21st (the day after our sweat)

Our call for volunteers is serious and sincere to ensure we have an eventful and prayerful season. 

Please email us at: tainowoodsny@gmail.com with your availability.

Purification Lodges:
We just held our first sweat of 2023; and it was amazing! 

Thank you to all who attended our first ceremony. It was incredible, joyful, and prayerful. We loved seeing your brave and smiling faces; and all of the young people. Our traditions are moving onto the next generation, familia! We are still relishing in the healing calmness that last Saturday’s sweat has brought us. Thank you, Itaino! 

For the year 2023, we are trying out a lot of new things in regards to our sweat lodges. 

Check it out! We are hosting two sweats every month! 

Here is our Spring Schedule:

• 4/8/23: Full Pink Moon Purification Lodge with Nancy Eagle Spirit Woman – Our First Full Moon of Spring 2023!
  • *Nancy Eagle Spirit Woman, a cherished member of our Taino family, is gracing us with her presence and prayer again this year!
  • *Registration for this event closes on 4/5/23!*
• 4/29/23: 10 AM – 5 PM: Medicine Drum Birthing Ceremony with DRUMDOULA Mia
  • *Registration is open until 4/22/23: Medicine Drum Birthing Ceremony — DRUMDOULA*
• 5/6/23: Flower Full Moon Purification Lodge
• 5/20/23: Strawberry New Moon Purification Lodge
• 5/26/23 – 5/29/23: Friends Outside Retreat
  • *We will be in touch with the registration information*
• 6/3/23: Strawberry Full Moon Purification Lodge
  • *Limited spots available*

In addition to offering more sweats, Taino Woods Sanctuary has been busily working behind the scenes with team members who will be taking the lead on purification lodge registrations. If you are interested in participating in one of our ceremonies, or if you have any questions, please email our sweat lodge coordinators at: sweatlodge@tainowoods.com. 

Moving forward, registration for our purification lodges will be closing 72 hours prior to the ceremony. For example, on Saturday 4/8/23, the registration will close on 4/5/23. Having a registration deadline provides us with adequate time and space to better prepare the medicine for your ceremony. 

Upon your registration, you will receive some important information about how to prepare your heart, mind, and body for the upcoming ceremony; as well as all of the logistics in terms of check-in times, group activities, and more! 

If you are interested in staying overnight, whether that is the night before the sweat or the night of the sweat, email us at sweatlodge@tainowoods.com.  Overnight stays are not a part of the purification lodge ceremony. 

Of course, if you have any questions in regards to the purification lodge, email us at: sweatlodge@tainowoods.com. 

Drum Birthing Ceremony:
Taino Woods Sanctuary is proud to announce the upcoming Medicine Drum Birthing Ceremony on Saturday, April 29th, 2023, led by DRUMDOULA Mia. DRUMDOULA Mia is dedicated to preserving the traditional indigenous ceremony of drum birthing. She personally gathers and harvests natural materials and blesses them with her extensive drumdoula training.

This powerful and transformative event is open to both experienced and novice tekinas. Don’t miss this opportunity to create your own medicine drum and experience the magic of this ancient ceremony. Register now at  Medicine Drum Birthing Ceremony — DRUMDOULA.

Registration will close on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023; there are only seven spots left, so secure your spot today!

Drum Build and Mindful Yoga Break for Kids:
For parents/caretakers wanting to participate in the drum birthing experience with DRUMDOULA Mia, we are offering a drum building workshop for their children! 

Our youngest community members can create their own drums at Taino Woods Sanctuary while their parents/caretakers are birthing their own. This workshop will also include a nature hike throughout the Land and other kid-friendly activities. 

To register your child, please email: jesseniapaulino7@gmail.com. 

In addition, we are hosting a Mindfulness Workshop for Kids. In this 30-minute workshop, our youngest members will be introduced to mindfulness through meditation and breathwork. These teachings are scientifically proven to increase focus, reduce stress, develop self-regulation, build self-esteem, and empower children to create their own internal peaceful state. This workshop is designed for children, but open to anyone who would like to tap into their inner child. 

To express your interest and register your child, or yourself, please email: tainowoodsny@gmail.com. 

Friends Outside Retreat
Join us for the Friends Outside camping retreat from May 26th-29th, where you can experience a traditional Taino purification sweat lodge, connect with Nature through ancient plant practices, and indulge in some delicious vegan eats! 

Secure your spot with Venmo or Cash App by signing up here: Friends Outside Registration

Have any questions or need a different payment method? Email at friendsoutsidephl@gmail.com. 

Thank you all for your continued support of Taino Woods Sanctuary. 

We look forward to seeing you on the Land!

Han Hankatu! 
(So Let It Be So)