24th Australian Spiritual Unity of the Tribes Gathering Ceremony
Location: Lightbody Rd, Nelson, Vic.
Dates: 17th - 20th October 2024 (Camp Day 16th October)
Spiritual Unity of the Tribes, acknowledging the Gunditjmara people, will host a ceremony for four days near Nelson, Vic.
The gathering ceremony will commence at sunrise on Thursday 17th October, with ceremony to light the sacred fire, which will be the centre of the gathering.
The gathering ceremony will conclude on the afternoon of Sunday 20th October, followed by a fundraiser auction.
Camp day will be on the 16th October. You will be asked to honour a treaty between yourself, SUT and the Elders regarding conduct while on the land. Monday 21st is cleanup day.
HISTORY
In 1989, in response to a vision given to a Pasqua grandmother Grandmother Ironeagle, three spiritual leaders put in place a mechanism to help address this problem.
Jim Walton, Ben Rhodd and Harvey Ironeagle (all respected medicine people) planned Spiritual Unity of the Tribes, a series of gatherings designed to bring people of all faiths and races together. Over four days and around a sacred fire these gatherings of people were addressed by the elders, by people with vision, by healers and by mothers. No politics were mentioned; just prayers, healings and a sharing of medicine to heal the people.
Spiritual Unity of the Tribes (SUT) has been brought to Australia at the request of Medicine People overseas, to help spread the healing that the world so desperately needs. If offers a safe community camp of people sharing a common belief – an acknowledgement of a higher power and intent and belief that through prayer change and healing can occur.
A gathering will hold as its centre the honouring of spirit, the sanctity of the land and the wisdom of the elders. Gatherings are to be living demonstrations of the ancient values of truth, peace, non-violence and love.
SUT gatherings have no formal charge so that no one is excluded by lack of money; however there are costs, so all donations are gratefully accepted with thanks.
Donations:
Please donate on Facebook, Spiritual Unity of the Tribes-Australia
Paypal: https://paypal.me/SUTAustralia?locale.x=en_A
Bank Transfer: Bendigo Bank, Spiritual Unity of the Tribes, BSB:633-000 A/c No:1085 40493
GATHERING LOCATION:
Lightbody Rd, Nelson, Vic. (is 13km before Nelson on the Portland side). From Portland take Portland/Nelson Rd C192. Travel 56km and turn left into Lightbody Rd. Travel approx 2 kms. Turn right and follow SUT signs.
ACCOMMODATION:
Bush camping on the land. Quite hilly terrain. No electricity. No water. No showers. Room for tents, campers, etc. Parking will be allocated away from the tent area. Caravans will be permitted in the van area.
The nearest offsite accommodation is at Nelson. They have accommodation for those wishing to stay off-site. It’s about a 25 minute drive to the gathering site from Nelson. Consider carpooling to the gathering.
Honouring the Water:
Could everyone please bring a small amount of water from their local area, a creek, river, dam. We will mix these together for a special ‘Honouring the Water Ceremony.’
LORE and PROTOCOL
All ceremonies will be under the guidance of the Gathering Council. This is a spiritual cultural gathering NOT a music festival.
NO: alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs
NO: Personal camp fires (due to fire restrictions)
NO: Alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, chroming, firearms
NO: Politics, proselytizing (preaching or promoting other business or causes)
NO: CD players, radios, MP3 players
NO: Pets are allowed at the gathering, other than assistance animals.
Photographs:
Can only be taken in the general camp area and at the fire before or after the closing ceremony. Mobiles phones should be switched off and only used for outgoing calls in camp if absolutely necessary. The gathering is being held on private land, please respect the land and leave it as you found it.
Sacred Fire:
The fire in the arbour is sacred. No rubbish, cigarette butts, crystals or personal objects should be placed on or near the fire. Only the fire keeper must put wood on the fire.
Dress Code:
You are requested to exercise a sense of modesty in the way you dress while at the gathering. This is to demonstrate proper respect for the sacred fire, the elders and for those of all backgrounds and beliefs who may attend the gathering with you.
Other protocols will be explained during the gathering, but if you are unsure about any protocol, behavior or ceremony, please ask a member of the Gathering Council. We simply ask for all people to conduct themselves with respect for all, in a good way.
PARTICIPATION
In keeping with the spirit of the gatherings everyone is welcome at no formal charge, so no one is excluded by lack of money, however gatherings do cost so donations are needed and gratefully accepted.
Please consider bringing and supporting an elder or grandmother, or a young person from any family or nation.
This gathering depends on your support, both in attendance and participation. The gathering is not for spectators. Help us share the essence of living as told by the grandmothers.
Your help is necessary for a successful gathering.
Please sign up for tasks upon arrival.
• Meal preparation and clean up
• Assisting the Elders
• Fire Keeping: under the guidance of traditional fire keepers
• Clean up
• Set Up and Security: please contact the Gathering Council on c3Bpcml0dWFsdW5pdHkyMDE3IHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20=
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Sacred Fire which is the heart of the Gathering is on private land. The opening ceremony will be at sunrise Thursday 17th October. And the closing of the fire ceremony will happen on Sunday afternoon, 20th October followed by a fundraiser auction and celebration evening.
Participants are encouraged to stay over till Monday to assist clean up and farewell. Workshops will also be held on a variety of related topics; some discussion, some culture and art.
FOOD AND SUPPLIES
Please bring a food donation for the community kitchen. We plan to share at least one meal a day together. Bring food that does not require refrigeration. E.g. vegetables, fruit, rice, pasta.
There is no water on site. It is imperative that everyone bring their own drinking and personal use water.
Bring your own reusable cutlery, plates, cups, and bowls for shared meals.
All other meals are the responsibility of the individual: you must bring enough food to feed yourself for the entire gathering.
The celebration meal on the Sunday night will be a ‘bring a plate’ and there may be some donated food to use for this meal only.
Other supplies: Folding chairs, sunscreen, water bottles, umbrellas, torches, groundsheets/tarps. Include solid footwear, rain gear and warm clothing, nights will be cold.
BE PREPARED
Remember this is a basic camping situation and the sacred fire is there for you day and night.
If you are driving and have room, and in the spirit of the gathering, please bring things such as chairs, tarps and blankets to share with elders or those flying in.
DONATIONS
Please donate here, https://paypal.me/SUTAustralia?locale.x=en_A if you can assist with any of the following needs of the gathering. All donations are tax deductible as we are a registered charity.
Sponsor an Elder:
The Elders have indicated that they should speak, sharing their wisdom and knowledge with us. We would like to assist as many Elders as possible with their transportation and accommodation.
General Donations:
SUT gatherings have no formal charge so that no one is excluded by lack of money; however there are costs, so all donations are gratefully accepted with thanks.
Fundraising Auction:
Please bring something wonderful to donate to our auction, which will be held on Sunday after the closing ceremony. Books, craftwork, jewelry, art, etc. Advance notice is not required for Auction donations, unless it is a major piece which we could advertise in advance. Bring cash, we have NO Eftpos
Membership of Spiritual Unity of the Tribes Inc Assoc:
Available at $33 per person per annum.
Transfer to our Bank account anytime here: Bendigo Bank, Spiritual Unity of the Tribes, BSB:633-000 A/c No:1085 40493 or contact the SUT Treasurer, John Palmer at c3Bpcml0dWFsdW5pdHkyMDE3IHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20=
