a vision of hope in Santa Fe for the future…for the earth…for the children
On May 10th at 7 pm. at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), the non-profit organization Rites of Passage, will present THE 8TH FIRE: a vision of hope for the future…for the earth…for the children.
The public is invited to this free event and sacred fire ceremony, which will be part of the annual pow wow at IAIA.
Included in this event will be the screening of the highly acclaimed documentary, THE 8TH FIRE, and talks by Anishinabe Elder and Spiritual advisor, Dave Courchene, Jr. (Leading Earth Man), and by bestselling author Dr. Larry Dossey of Santa Fe. The film, the speakers, and the sacred fire ceremony will be woven together with the music of traditional Native flutes and drums.
The 8th Fire film has been drawing packed houses and enthusiastic reviews in Texas, Connecticut, British Columbia, and Ontario. This will be the film’s Santa Fe premiere.
Journalist Steven McFadden of Santa Fe, author of nine books including the epic, nonfiction saga “Odyssey of the 8th Fire,” will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Following the screening, native elder Dave Courchene. will gather the people in a circle on campus under the star-filled sky, and ignite a sacred fire.
Courchene is descended from a long line of leaders and chiefs of his people. At one time the Superintendent of Education in his Pine Falls, Manitoba community, he “felt compelled by forces beyond his control to quit his job and go on a ceremonial expedition of peace around the world.”
In the past several years, the elder has been an invited speaker, striking sparks for the prophetic, ceremonial 8th Fire in Japan, Korea, Israel and the Middle East, as well as at the 1992 Earth Summit in Brazil, the Philippines, the World Peace Summit hosted by the United Nations, and throughout Canada and the United States.
In Manitoba, at his healing center, The Turtle Lodge, Courchene conducts traditional First Nations ceremonies to revive, renew and sustain the spirit of all the people. His talk and THE 8TH FIRE documentary film are based on the Anishinabe people’s ancient prophecy of the Seven Fires, and the promise of an 8th Fire if people choose pathways of respect.
The 8th Fire understanding is that a time would come when the earth would enter into a change marked by many grave crises, and that when these seemingly overwhelming troubles came about, ‘new people’ (people of all colors and faiths) would gather in respect to seek insight and direction.
“They will come to a fork in the road. One road will lead to materialism and destruction.....for almost all living creatures....The other road will lead to a Spiritual Way upon which the Native People will be standing ...This path will lead to the lighting of the 8th fire, a period of enduring peace, harmony and a New Earth where the destruction of the past will be healed.”
The 8th Fire event is presented in Santa Fe by the Texas-based non profit organization, Rites of Passage, ACA in partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA).
For an interview with Dave Courchene, contact Cindy Pickard in Texas at 830.966.6170 or via email at fonehome@indian-creek.net.
To learn more about the North American tradition and promise of the 8th Fire, and about the acclaimed film, see http://www.the8thfire.org.
To learn more about the epic, nonfiction saga Odyssey of the 8th Fire as told by Santa Fe journalist Steven McFadden, see http:www.8thfire.net.
