The Return of the Ancestors Gathering
By Adam Yellowbird

The Institute for Cultural Awareness will present a historic international multi-cultural gathering and sacred pilgrimage beginning Earth Day weekend, April 18-28, 2009 throughout Northern Arizona. Indigenous elders and future wisdom keepers will represent the voice of Mother Earth. The heart of the gathering will be the 4th reunion of the Continental Council of Indigenous Elders and Spiritual Guides of the Americas. The intention is to unite and share the invited wisdom keeper’s visions and prophesized ceremonies for peace and harmony for Mother Earth and all humanity.

The goal is to sponsor 72 or more global spiritual/cultural leaders and 28 youth council leaders from around the world. Wisdom keepers will share a harvest of harmonic wisdom and understandings that will enable the world to fulfill the prophecies of the ancestors. The gathering’s commitment to ceremony as a focal point offers pilgrims of the world the privilege to witness councils sharing wisdom from their ancestors, songs and sacred ceremonies. The intention is to bring inspiration to the world thus birthing clear decisions and manifesting a conduit of hope for our children, the future wisdom keepers of the world.

Humanity has waited for the day of peace and harmony to reign in this world for hundreds of years. We are at a pivotal point where action needs to be taken. We must move in a new direction towards each individual seeking the healing of their ancestral memories enabling humanity to move forward. A proclamation will be made for the ancestral memories to be healed globally for all time and space.

We are now living in a time of our truth and an intertwined field of destiny mending the circle of life. Let us look at the truth: the tree of life, the seed of life, the flower of life. The world has awaited a renewed life’s plan. We look towards our grand elders and wisdom keepers’ Cosmovision for specific instructions and guidance towards reconnection to the natural laws. The seen and unseen from the past, present and future unfold. Destiny brings us all to this point in time. The men and women of wisdom have returned. History and Herstory is unfolding in front of our very own eyes.

Whether attending the gathering physically or in private ceremony, everyone is being called to participate in this historic event. Through humanity’s enlightenment, once again we will live in balance and harmony with Mother Earth. All is in divine timing!

One Mayan prophecy states, “The time of the 12 Baktun and 13 Ahau is the time of the return of our ancestors and the return of the men of wisdom.” “That time is now,” says Grandfather Alejandro Cirilo Oxlaj, President of the National Mayan Council of Elders of Guatemala and President of the Continental Council of Indigenous Elders and Spiritual Guides of the Americas.

The Institute for Cultural Awareness is a 501c (3) non-profit corporation coordinating this monumental gathering. The vision of ICA is strong and motivated with a desire to build a better future for our children. Your support will provide a firm foundation to create a broader expression of service for humanity.

Our goal is to raise 1.5 million dollars for the Return of the Ancestors Gathering.

To learn more about how you can support ICA and the preparations for this gathering, please feel free to contact ICA directly at (928) 646-3000 or please visit: www.ica8.org or www.instituteforculturalawareness.com


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

April 18-19 — Honoring Earth Day Weekend. There will be an opportunity to partake in storytelling, cultural music, dances and ceremonies. Red Rock High School, Sedona, AZ  
April 20-22 — Healing the Ancestral Memories. Ceremonies will be the focal point at a gathering through which attendees can learn the wisdom of the ancestors. Attendees will also be able to witness councils sharing from their ancestors’ songs and dances. The intention is to bring inspiration to the world thus birthing clear decisions and manifesting a conduit of hope for the future generations. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, AZ  
April 23 — Global Council of Original Teachings. Northern Arizona University will host an indigenous wisdom elders’
forum. There will be Youth/Elder educational programs and inspiration of oral and written traditions. Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
April 24 — Grand Canyon Speaks. Those who attend will have the opportunity to connect with mother earth at one of the natural wonders of the world during a sunrise ceremony. This will offer the opportunity to be alone with the creator’s splendor. Grand Canyon, AZ
April 25-26 — Pilgrimage to Hopi Lands. The Hopi Nation will host an indigenous wisdom forum, an opportunity for Youth/Elder cultural exchange programs, and traditional ceremonies including the eagle and condor dances. Hopi Mesas, AZ  
April 27-28 — Inspiring a new life plan. Closing ceremonies will include farewell songs and dances from the local tribes and presentations of the stone tablets. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, AZ  


WORKSHOP AND LECTURE TOPICS

• Learning the history and the origin of the Continental Council of Indigenous Elders and Spiritual Guides of the America.
• Seeking the healing of their ancestral memories to enable humanity to move forward.
• Uniting and share wisdom keepers’ vision and prophesized ceremonies for peace and harmony for Mother Earth and all humanity.
• Sharing a harvest of harmonic wisdom.
• Gaining understanding to enable the world to fulfill the prophecies of their ancestors.
• Witnessing councils sharing wisdom from their ancestors, songs and sacred ceremonies.
• Looking at the truth including the tree of life, the seed of life and flower of life
• Learning specific instructions and guidance towards the reconnection to the natural laws.
• Exploring the mysteries of the seen and unseen from the past, present and future.
• Learning indigenous prophecies: Hopi, Mayan, Incan, Lakota, Kogi, etc.
• More workshops & lecture topics to be announced