Welcome to the April 2009 Edition of the Laconneau
Monthly Newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE
• Book of the Month
• Political Action Forum
• Spring Festival
• Sentier de Vermont
• Sentier de la Magdalene
• Regional News
• Regional Calendars
• Contact Laconneau
BOOK OF THE MONTH
Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations
by Charles Wilkinson
The saga of the treatment of Native American tribes in North America is one of
relentless oppression. Author Charles Wilkinson remarks that, by the middle of
the twentieth century, Native Americans were, “mired in the worst economic and
social conditions of any group in America.” Blood Struggle is an account of the
endeavors of tribal leaders to use the political and legal system in the United
States to reverse discriminatory policies, reestablish tribes as sovereign
governments within reservation territory, enforce treaty rights to land, water,
hunting and fishing and preserve Native American traditions. The modern tribal
sovereignty movement has experienced some success to date, but countless
problems remain to be addressed; however, Blood Struggle raises the possibility
of hope for further improvement in the future.
POLITICAL ACTION FORUM
Beginning with this issue, the Laconneau monthly newsletter will include a
monthly article on current social, political, religious and human rights issues.
Each article will provide information on a specific topic and suggest methods of
taking action on this matter, should you wish to do so. This month’s article
provides an overview of how to effectively engage in the democratic process.
Stella Koch has written a piece on the importance of being an informed voter and
furnishes information on how to go about determining the views of our elected
officials, contacting them and sharing your opinions with them.
Democracy in Action
The system of democracy is effective when voters are well informed and fully
engaged in the democratic process. We are fortunate enough to live in a
representational democracy where, theoretically, every citizen in every state,
regardless of race, creed or gender can vote to choose who represents him or her
in government. Our responsibility does not end at the voting booth. As
responsible citizens, we must know how to contact our elected officials in order to
share our perspectives with them. An easy way to find the names of our elected
officials is to go to the League of Women Voters website. On that website, you will
be able to obtain contact information for all of your federal and state elected
legislators by typing in your zip code at the following URL:
http://takeaction.lwv.org/lwv/dbq/officials/. Contact your elected officials
and sign up to be on their email lists. They will be more than happy to keep
you informed of their views.
It’s equally important that you educate yourself regarding the issues that matter
to you so that you can effectively express your opinions to those who represent
you. To that end, sign up to receive alerts from national and state organizations
which reflect your views on issues that you care about. You will now have the
knowledge with which to contact your elected officials with your positions before
they vote on issues that matter to you. Make them aware of how you want them
to vote. Track how they vote. Thank them when the vote represents you and let
them know you are disappointed when it does not. In this way, you will be using
the system to your best advantage.
We have a new set of elected officials at the national level. This is an excellent
time to begin tracking their actions and communicating your views on upcoming
legislation. On the local level, your governor and state legislators are facing
some critical decisions in the next few years. If you want them to represent your
views, you need to communicate those views to them. Then, stay informed
concerning their voting records. By the time the next election cycles come along,
you will be ready to make an educated choice as to whether to support those who
currently represent you or to work for other candidates who will represent your
views more fully. The system of democracy works best when we all pay attention
and stay engaged in the process.
~Stella Koch
Stella’s article tells us how to contact our elected officials and how to become
more informed concerning their positions on various issues. The article also
tells us how to obtain information on important issues and how to express our
views to those who represent us. This piece gives an overview of how to make
best use of our representational democracy. Future articles will deal with specific
issues.
If you wish to respond to this column, please send a “Letter to the Editor”
to alex@laconneau.org.
LACONNEAU SPRING FESTIVAL
Laconneau Spring Festival
Friday, May 1 - Sunday, May 3, 2009
Artemis House, Greenville, NC
Spring Festival marks the beginning of summer. As with the Autumn Festival, this is a time between dark and light, night and day, winter and summer. We are holding the Spring Festival in full accord with the principles of our Tradition. Come join us at Artemis House in Greenville, North Carolina for this wonderful weekend of council discussion, workshops, feminine spirituality and festivities.
Lend your voice to the power and love of other sisters such as yourself who feel a burning need to see change in this world.
The fee for the festival is $275.00. Please also budget for $20.00 per day to cover lunches and other expenses. Housing is available in the homes of the Greenville sisters and in hotels in the area. Please contact Elaine at carolinas@laconneau.org for more details.
For more Information on the Spring Festival:http://www.laconneau.org/festivalspring.html
SENTIER DE VERMONT
  
The Sentier de Vermont took place from March 15 to March 2, 2009. Sisters from the Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC circles participated. The Sentier was based at the Fox Creek Inn in Chittenden, Vermont. Sandy and Jim Robertson are the innkeepers there. Sandy and her
sister, Beverly, cooked and served delicious meals during our stay. We spent our mornings in class, and our afternoons in various pursuits, from hiking to sightseeing to simply relaxing. Kai Mayberger of White Raven Drum Works in Bridgewater, Vermont joined us for dinner one evening and demonstrated a number of his instruments for us. The day after his visit, we descended en masse on his shop. Many of our number who had been intrigued by his instruments became the proud owners of flutes and drums. Our evenings were filled with poetry recitation, joke telling and music. Each of the women who participated in the Sentier de Vermont has written of her experiences. Their reflections will give you a sense of the impact of the Sentier on each of their lives.
“This being my first trip to Vermont, I found myself mesmerized by Vermont’s beauty. The mountain ranges, the lakes, rivers, waterfalls and snow were all plentiful and this landscape was such a delight to see. There was so much undeveloped land and the energy felt so light, pure and clean to me that I felt
like I could truly breathe there.
As part of the retreat we went on a hike around a large lake and I was just fascinated by how open, vast and beautiful everything was. It was a very doable hike for a beginner like me and very invigorating. The exercise was a good thing and just what I needed to feel absolutely guiltless about eating the
wonderful food Sandy prepared every evening and every morning for breakfast.
The retreat experience was well balanced. The mornings were spent in a lovely glassed-in sitting area by a cozy fire, studying with Jehanne.
There was so much to enjoy when we visited the surrounding towns and explored so many of the unique shops in the area. In this regard, however, one of the true highlights of the trip was what turned out to be the almost daily visits to Kai’s at White Raven Drum Works. Kai is an incredible man who makes
wonderful flutes, drums and unbelievable didgeridoos. Jehanne had arranged for Kai to come to the inn and talk to us about his handmade instruments. Kai brought some of his drums, flutes and a very big didgeridoo. He shared how he made these amazing instruments and played them for us, as well. That was pretty much all it took for every one of us to come home with a flute, a drum or
to put an order in for one these beautiful instruments. For the rest of the week, the evenings were spent by the fire and the room was filled with singing, stories, drumming, and music from tambourines, flutes and other instruments. The whole week rejuvenated my soul in a manner that I had not experienced before. In summary, the beauty of the surroundings invited a very relaxed atmosphere and this, combined with the spiritual teachings, meditation, wonderful food and enriching musical evenings has left me wanting to participate in this type of a retreat again and again and again.”
Lynn Palmer – Atlanta, GA Circle
  
“I was exhausted from work when I went on the the Sentier de Vermont, but by the time I left I was relaxed and reinvigorated. Everything was perfectly in balance. Vermont has a wonderfully clean feel to it, and the countryside is glorious. Fox Creek Inn is charming and cozy and its innkeepers, warm and hospitable. Kai's shop is filled not only with beautifully crafted musical instruments but also with energy and openness. Our musical evenings were a real joy. Jehanne’s teachings, her playing the drum and flute were so inspiring that I felt them reach into the very core of my being with a new intensity and urgency that encourages me to work even harder on the path towards consciousness. Thank you for everything Jehanne from the bottom of my heart.
Lorely Crewe Halici – Washington, DC Circle
“The Sentier started as an outer journey, a full week in beautiful Vermont, which included snow, hiking, and sightseeing; it became an inner journey with a lasting message: push the limits of what you think you can do, or feel, or experience, and you will open yourself to joy. Fox Creek Inn provided the perfect
environment with combinations of beauty and elegance, an "at home" feeling, meticulously prepared, delicious food, and a delightful, accommodating staff. Early morning to mid-day spiritual teachings were simple and consistent; and seemed to go hand in hand with afternoon and evening events in such a way that each moment built on another. Fireside evenings of storytelling, singing, and flute playing (regardless of performance anxiety, talent, ability, or the lack thereof) opened the idea of music as a venue for self-expression and yielded tons of laughter. A demonstration by Kai Mayberger of White Raven Drum Works inspired many of us to seek out instruments we could learn to play and enjoy. He is an artisan and musician who creates beautiful instruments with fine craftsmanship and heart, but also with spirit. Near the end of the week, day trips to Woodstock and surrounding areas in search of maple syrup added a sweet final note to our trip. Looking back, it seems now that each of us pushed ourselves to the edge in different ways. Some of us hiked for the first time on an icy incline that sloped to a melting lake, others told stories or recited poems, some sang aloud, and some placed an instrument to their lips for the first time in this life. On the last evening, we were introduced to a form of ritual drumming by Jehanne, one that beckoned, calling us to experience the stillness and peace found at the center of the medicine wheel, and to come out feeling healed and renewed. This Sentier, or path, is one I hope to walk again and again.”
Beverly Bower - Greenville, NC Circle
“Our welcoming hosts, a beautiful woodland, and the quiet power of the Green Mountains provided a splendid setting for Jehanne's teaching over our week at Fox Creek Inn. For me, it was a time to reflect on what I really need for living, and how to stick with the essentials, remembering and serving Her. Our old-fashioned evenings of making music together and sharing songs and stories were a great new way to enjoy each other and express ourselves.”
Marge DuMond - Washington, DC Circle
  
“What to say about the Sentier de Vermont? It was really great! Fantastic, Fun and Hard -- all rolled into one.
This was a relaxed retreat so nothing in the afternoons was mandatory. Some went on a hike and some did not. The hike was 3 hours on ice and soft snow. I had been apprehensive but I made it out and back again and found that I enjoyed it!
Another afternoon everyone went to Kai’s to look at his wonderful handmade drums and flutes. Some sisters bought some to take home. Some even returned for a second shopping trip.
Every evening by the fire at Fox Creek Inn in Chittenden, Vermont, we played music, told stories, and told jokes. The creek was bubbling away in the front of the inn. It was just so great to be in Vermont and to be at this inn. The energy was just great.
We all expressed ourselves with music. Listening to Lorely, and then Alex, sing was so profound and then both together, was out of this world. Marge letting loose on her new drum. Jan on her new flute. Lynn figuring out which flute was best for her. Jehanne with Alex’s drum. Me on the tambourine -- who knew I could play something and become part of the music, too.
The food was great. We had breakfast and dinner at the inn. Baked salmon one night stuffed peppers another, pasta, and on and on. Breakfast pancakes, scrambled eggs with salmon, and on and on. Sandy and her sister Beverly were the perfect hostesses. Too bad we could not have met Jim (Sandy’s husband), but there will be another time.
Yes, another time. I want to go. I am planning to go on the next one. I have to start saving today.
On a personal note the last night with Jehanne (asking if we want to go on a journey) everyone saying, yes. Then, what a Journey! Mine was to the center of nothingness and white. No fear, just a mind saying you are sleeping and me saying let it go. The Drum keeps beating and I am going to silence to nothing to white.”
Anne Garnett - Washington, DC Circle
  
“If I had to put into one word what the Sentier de Vermont was, it would be Joy.
Joy of a deeper understanding of the teachings
of hiking in the clear, rich air
of crisp, melting snow
of song and stories
of fresh, delightful tastes
of new friends and laughter
and of drum, flute and rattle.
To journey deep to the center of the Medicine Wheel
with Her leading the Way
I follow and the Joy grows.”
Jan Salstrom - Greenville, NC Circle
“I pondered the week on how to describe the Sentier de Vermont. The single word that came to mind was “transformative”. The Teachings, the experience of being with Jehanne and my sisters for a whole week, the ritual music of Native American flute and drum, the special new people we met like Sandy, Beverly and Kai, the natural beauty of Vermont, the comfort and serenity of the Fox Creek Inn ……..all these wove together to create a rich tapestry of experiences that opened a whole new array of gifts and possibilities. I seek in this moment to reflect that transformation in my life and as I walk in the world.”
Rebecca Noftsinger - Washington, DC Circle
“Our time together was truly full of goodness -- good fun, great food, fine teaching and good music (it got better through the week!). I appreciated the balance of our days. There was silence and laughter, study and play, solitude and community. And the Fox Creek Inn was a wonderful container for all of
this to happen.
Kathy Spaar – Washington, DC Circle
  
The culmination of the Sentier de Vermont is summed up in the following:
It begins with a dialogue
Between Woman and Drum,
Sacred and Profound.
It continues with a quest
For the rhythm, for the Beat
Which will take me to the Center of All.
The Beat begins; the Power awakes.
The Beat continues; the Power rises.
There’s an answering beat in my soul.
The sound becomes deafening,
The Silence profound.
And, suddenly, I am There,
There at the Source of all Being,
There at the place of my Birth.
Two claps and I must return.
Three claps. I am bereft.
How can I leave this Place?
Then, I know with profound relief
That this Place exists always.
I know this Place.
It is part of me; I am part of It.
And I will return.
I bring myself out from the depths of profundity
To the jagged sound of voices,
So jarring, so painful.
Then, blessedly, I hear the sound of a flute.
It smoothes the jagged edges
And makes it possible to re-engage my mind,
To gradually move from There to here
While the Peace still resonates in my soul.
I have traveled Home.
I have returned.
I am grateful for the Journey.
Alex Guyol – Philadelphia, PA Circle
For those of you who would like more information on the Fox Creek Inn, you may access the website at: http://www.foxcreekinn.com/ .
For those of you who would like more information on Kai Mayberger’s White Raven Drum Works, you may access the website at: http://www.whiteravendrums.com/ .
SENTIER DE LA MAGDALENE
Sentier de la Magdalene
Monday, September 21 – Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Pilgrimage to Southern France
This fall, for the first time, Laconneau will be offering a combination of the Magdalene Pilgrimage and the Sentier des Cathares. We hope this will make the trip both practical and affordable. The trip will include two days of hiking in Ste. Baume and a week of mountain hiking in the Languedoc. Details of the trip will follow in an upcoming announcement.
REGIONAL NEWS
Laconneau Scholarship Fund
The Laconneau scholarship fund has been established to assist women who are unable to afford the cost of classes. If you are in need of a scholarship, please contact your local Laconneau coordinator.
If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please make your check out to Alex Guyol and send it to P.O. Box 261 Kingston, NJ 08528. If you have questions, please email Alex at alex@laconneau.org.
France News:
Laconneau is offering the Sentier de la Magdalene this fall from September 21 to September 30.
News from the Carolinas:
The Greenville Circle’s Young Women's Group held their monthly dinner on March 6th. The group discussed developing a program that would contain a series of historical speeches that were given for the cause of women. The discussion continued at the monthly Sunday meditation with all the women of the Greenville Circle.
Starting this month, the Greenville circle will begin holding a meditation and dinner one Thursday a month at 6:30PM. We will continue to have one Sunday meditation a month at 12:00PM. The Thursday meditation, dinner and discussion are scheduled for April 2 and the Sunday meditation is scheduled for April 19.
Two Level I classes will be held in Greenville in April. The first class will be held on Saturday, April 25 and the second class will be held on Sunday, April 26.
The Greenville circle is supporting a movement in Greenville to reestablish a feminist group in the community. This group will educate and advocate for the causes of women on the local, state, national and global levels.
Georgia News:
A Level 1 Class will be taught Saturday, June 7thth, in Gainesville.
The Georgia Circle will hold a Spring Yard Sale April 4th from 9:00AM until 2:00PM in E. Decatur. For information concerning donations and directions, please contact Pat Kerner at pkerner@bellsouth.net.
Meditations are held on an ongoing basis in Decatur, Marietta and Gainesville. Women’s Circles arealso regularly held in Gainesville.
Pennsylvania News:
Beginning on Saturday, April 11, the Philadelphia Circle will meet every other Saturday at noon at a café in Philadelphia to have an open discussion with any women who would like to attend. We will come together to discuss relevant issues, learn from each other, and build our community. Our first meeting will take place at Good Karma Cafe at 22nd and Pine streets.
Starting this month, the Philadelphia Circle will begin holding book discussions every other month. Our first book discussion will take place on Wednesday, April 15, when we will discuss Lakota Woman by Mary Crowe Dog. All women are welcome to participate in the discussion and learn more about Native American rights, even if they have not read the book.
We welcome all women to our classes, meditations, dinners, and film screenings as we continue to build a strong foundation for this community of women.
Washington, DC News:
In March, several Laconneau women from in and near Washington enjoyed a weeklong retreat at the first Sentier de Vermont in Chittenden.
On Saturday, April 4, DC Laconneau will welcome spring with a hike and picnic along the Appalachian Trail in Maryland. Other April activities of the DC Circle will include a meditation and afternoon tea in Falls Church, Virginia.
On Friday, April 17 at 6:30 PM, the Washington Circle will host a film screening and dinner. The film, Cathares: Secrets and Legends, takes the viewer through time, through the majestic landscapes of the south of France, to discover the legends and history of the Cathares, those “good Christians” whom the Catholic Church persecuted as heretics. Famous historians and specialists Anne Brenon, Jean Duvernoy, Jordi Passerat & Philippe Contal helped create this French production, directed in 2007 by Christian Salès.
FRANCE: Upcoming Events
Monday, September 21 – Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sentier de la Magdalene
Southern France
GEORGIA: April Events
Wednesday April 1, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
North Decatur, GA
Monday April 6, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA
Wednesday April 8, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:00PM
Gainesville, GA
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Monday April 13, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA
Sunday April 19, 2009
Meditation & Book Discussion 12:30PM
Gainesville, GA
Sunday April 19, 2009
Meditation 5:30PM
East Decatur, GA
Monday April 20, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA
Sunday April 26, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Gainesville, GA
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Monday April 27, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA
Atlanta Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarAtlantaGA.html
Atlanta Region Coordinator: Lynn - georgia@laconneau.org
NORTH CAROLINA: April Events
GREENVILLE, NC:
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Meditation, Dinner & Discussion 6:30PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
Friday, April 3, 2009
Young Women’s Dinner & Discussion 6:30PM
Greenville, NC
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Meditation 12:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
ASHEVILLE, NC
Friday, April 10, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Brevard, NC
For students who have completed Level I Course
Saturday, April 15, 2009
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Brevard, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
North Carolina Calendar Online:
http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarGreenvilleNC.html
Carolinas Region Coordinator: Elaine – carolinas@laconneau.org
PENNSYLVANIA: April Events
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Book Discussion 7:00PM
Lakota Woman
Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Dinner & Discussion 7:30PM
Awareness in Action
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarPhiladelphiaPA.html
Philadelphia Region Coordinator: Anna - Pennsylvania@laconneau.org
SOUTH CAROLINA: April Events
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Simpsonville, SC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Simpsonville, SC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
South Carolina Calendar Online:
http://www.laconneau.org/CalendarSC.html
Carolinas Region Coordinator: Elaine – carolinas@laconneau.org
WASHINGTON, DC: April Events
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Appalachian Trail Hike & Picnic 10:00AM
Poolesville, MD
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Meditation & Afternoon Tea 3:30PM
Falls Church, VA
Friday, April 10, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Friday, April 17, 2009
Film Screening & Dinner 6:30PM
Cathares: Secrets and Legends
Washington, DC
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
DC Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarWashingtonDC.html
DC Region Coordinator: Lorely - dc@laconneau.org
CONTACT LACONNEAU
Please contact your coordinator with questions or updated regional information.
In France: Jehanne jehanne@laconneau.org
In California:Alex alex@laconneau.org
In the Carolinas: Elaine carolinas@laconneau.org
In Georgia: Lynn georgia@laconneau.org
In Pennsylvania: Anna pennsylvania@laconneau.org
In Washington, DC: Lorely dc@laconneau.org
Contact Information Online: http://www.laconneau.com/Contact.html
Laconneau Newsletter Archive:
http://www.laconneau.com/NewsletterArchive.html
Please visit our website, www.laconneau.org, for the complete calendar, further articles, Laconneau’s history and additional information.
You are receiving this newsletter because you attended a Laconneau course or seminar. If you would prefer not to receive emails from Laconneau, please email Alex at alex@laconneau.org to be removed from our mailing list.
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