Announcing The 13th Gathering Of The International Council Of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers

TEMPE, Ariz. - June 2, 2014 - PRLog -- The 2014 annual gathering of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers has a particularly auspicious ring to it...it's the 13th gathering of the thirteen women elders who've traveled the globe with a committed message of peace, directed prayer and a calling for mankind's renewed passion and commitment to protecting the planet we live on.

The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers represent a diverse mixture of women of prayer who hail from many countries, represent many belief systems and speak many languages but with one singular message; we must make protecting and healing the earth our number one priority.

For the last decade these thirteen remarkable women have spoken to millions around the world and to world leaders about the power humans have to not just create new things - new technologies, new businesses, new economies - but the power to heal and renew the one thing we all have in common and live on but cannot live without.

The 13th  Gathering of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers will take place September 4-7, 2014 in the famous Black Hills region of the United States.  With each global gathering hosted by the grandmother who calls that place home, the 2014 event will be hosted by "Unci" (Lakota for Grandmother) Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Unci Rita is Oglala Lakota and still lives in the Northern He Sapa (Black Hills) and on the Pine Ridge Reservation land allotted to her grandparents more than 100 years ago.  From September 4-7, attendees from all over the world will have an opportunity to not only soak in the stark beauty and spirituality of the Black Hills but to actively participate  in daily workshops, breakout sessions around specific topics, a special Pow Wow (dance ceremony) and to take part in nightly fireside prayers with the Thirteen Grandmothers.

At this time (but subject to change due to health or travel concerns) all Thirteen Grandmothers are planning on attending this very special event.  Besides host Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance, the other grandmothers include:

·         Grandmother Aama Bombu - Tamang, Nepal

·         Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim - Takelma Siletz

·         Grandmother Bernadette Rebienot - Omyene, Gabon, Africa

·         Grandmother Clara Shinobu Iura - Céu do Mapiá, Brazil

·         Grandmother Sering Dolma Gyaltong - Tibet

·         Grandmother Mona Polacca - Hopi/Havasupai/Tewa

·         Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein - Yup'ik, Alaska

·         Grandmother Maria Alice Campos Freire - Amazon Rainforest, Brazil

·         Grandmother Flordemayo - Mayan

·         Grandmother Margaret Behan - Arapaho/Cheyenne

·         Grandmother Julieta Casimiro - Mazatec, Huautla de Jimenez, Mexico

Those wishing to attend have a variety of options available to them including a 4-Day Pass at $550, individual day passes for Thursday, Friday and Sunday at $125 per day, a Saturday day pass (including Pow Wow) at $150 and for locals wishing to only attend the Pow Wow, a $10 event admission fee.

All Native American Tribal members are eligible to attend at no charge provided they offer tribal ID with their advance registration.  Non-Native American elders 70+ in age may be eligible for a limited number of scholarships and may request scholarship consideration online with initial registration.  Youth under 16 and accompanied by an adult are free.

More event information - including travel, hotel and camping accommodations - and online registration for the September 4-7, 2014 13th Gathering of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers can be found online at www.grandmotherscouncil.org. (http://www.grandmotherscouncil.org/)

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Attention Media:  More information about the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, the September 4-7, 2014 13th Gathering of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers and interview requests can be directed to The Zephyr Group, info@groupzephyr.com, (505) 466-2770.  Photography for story use is available in JPG or TIF format.   A limited number of press passes are available for the September 4-7th event with advance request and valid press identification.