🌱 Event: Volunteer Weekend & Lakota Inipi Lodge Build
📅 Date: Saturday, September 14th – Sunday, September 15th, 2024
🕘 Time: Starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

Join us for a powerful weekend of service and spiritual connection as we come together to build a new Lakota Inipi Lodge at the top of the Land. This sacred space will replace the previous lodge, which was lovingly used and burned at the end of our first annual Nature Quest Fast in August.

During this weekend, we will use the soaked saplings and branches prepared from the previous weekend, along with prayer ties, to construct the lodge. This process is a prayerful act, grounded in the sacred teachings of the Lakota tradition. Once the lodge is complete, we will gather for a purification lodge ceremony to bless the new space and purify our spirits.

What to Bring: 

• Work Clothes: Sturdy boots, gloves, and layers appropriate for outdoor work.

• Ceremonial Wear: Modest attire for any lodge or ceremony (Click here to learn more about the history, traditions, and ceremonial wear of a purification lodge).

• Sacred Gifts: Items like tobacco, cedar, lavender, or prayer ties, to offer during ceremonies.

• Camping Gear:

• If you have your own tent, please bring it along with a sleeping bag and any personal camping items you may need.

• Communal Tent Option: If you don’t have your own tent, no worries! We now offer a communal tent area with space for up to 5 people per tent. Be sure to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal bedding to make your stay comfortable.

• Private Camping: If you prefer more privacy, you can book a private camping spot through our HipCamp listing. Click here to reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a more secluded camping experience.

• Food and Water:

• Please bring your own meals and snacks for the weekend.

• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated!

• Communal Meal: As part of the purification lodge ceremony’s closing, we will share a communal meal. Please bring a dish to contribute to this sacred meal.

Registration, Participation, and Ceremony Details:

Secure your spot by registering online. Registration closes on Wednesday, September 11th.

All participants are required to complete the 2024 Volunteer Liability Agreement and the 2024 Purification Lodge Annual Agreement before attending. These agreements ensure your safety and are valid for one calendar year. 

To better understand the significance and traditions of the purification lodge, we invite you to review our Guanara Lodge Information Packet, which provides detailed insights into the ceremony.

Love Exchange and Donations:

As part of the communal spirit and to support the ongoing efforts of Taino Woods Sanctuary, we kindly request a suggested donation of $50 per person to participate in the purification lodge. Your contributions help us sustain and nurture this sacred space. Click here to donate.

We look forward to your presence and energy as we build this sacred space and purify our spirits together.

Event Details:

🌿 Event: Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge
📅 Dates: Friday, October 4th – Sunday, October 6th, 2024
🕘 Time: Beginning at 5:00 PM on Friday and concluding at 2:00 PM on Sunday
🏞️ Location: Taino Woods Sanctuary, 302 Big Woods Rd, Harris, NY 12742

Join us for a profound and transformative Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge with the esteemed Behike Miguel Sague. This sacred ceremony offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with the rhythms of the Earth and the cycles of Life, Death, and Rebirth.

As we honor the Fall Equinox, we recognize the pivotal moment in the ceremonial cycle of the cemies, where Yoka Hu, the male spirit of Energy and Life, completes his journey. This powerful gathering symbolizes the transition of Yoka Hu, who is born at the Spring Equinox, matures at the Summer Solstice, and ultimately descends to the watery underworld at the Autumnal Equinox.

During this ceremony, we will gather to participate in the traditional Taino purification lodge, a sacred space for prayer, healing, and renewal. The gathering will also feature the sharing of sacred foods such as green squash, black beans, cassava, and corn, which hold deep cultural and spiritual significance within the Taino Medicine Wheel.

Ceremony Highlights:

• Friday, October 4th: Arrival and gathering at Taino Woods Sanctuary. Introduction to the ceremony and community sharing.
• Saturday, October 5th: Fall Equinox Prayer and Purification Lodge led by Behike Miguel Sague. Sacred rituals and communal prayer.
• Sunday, October 6th: Closing ceremonies and reflections. Departure by 2:00 PM.

What to Bring: 

• Work Clothes: Sturdy boots, gloves, and layers appropriate for outdoor work.

• Ceremonial Wear: Modest attire for any lodge or ceremony (Click here to learn more about the history, traditions, and ceremonial wear of a purification lodge).

• Sacred Gifts: Items like tobacco, cedar, lavender, or prayer ties, to offer during ceremonies.

• Camping Gear:

• If you have your own tent, please bring it along with a sleeping bag and any personal camping items you may need.

• Communal Tent Option: If you don’t have your own tent, no worries! We now offer a communal tent area with space for up to 5 people per tent. Be sure to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, and any personal bedding to make your stay comfortable.

• Private Camping: If you prefer more privacy, you can book a private camping spot through our HipCamp listing. Click here to reserve your spot in advance and enjoy a more secluded camping experience.

• Food and Water:

• Please bring your own meals and snacks for the weekend.

• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated!

• Communal Meal: As part of the purification lodge ceremony’s closing, we will share a communal meal. Please bring a dish to contribute to this sacred meal.

Registration and Donations:
Secure your spot by registering online. Registration closes on Wednesday, October 2nd. 

A suggested donation of $75 per person per day, $125 per person for the weekend, or $175 for a family of four is requested to support the communal spirit and the ongoing efforts of Taino Woods Sanctuary; donate today. 

Mandatory Agreements:
All participants are required to complete the 2024 Ceremony Annual Agreement and the 2024 Purification Lodge Annual Agreement before attending. These agreements ensure your safety and are valid for one calendar year. Please fill out these forms before attending the gathering.

Contact Us:
For any questions or additional information, please reach out to us at: events@tainowoods.com.