Last Updated on April 10, 2025
The 3rd Annual International Indigenous Leadership Gathering will take place in Xaxl’ip, St’át’imc Territory from May 30th to June 5th, 2011.
Speakers at this year’s event include Mona Polacca, one of the 13 Grandmothers; Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe of the Lakota; René Franco Salas, Elder Brother of Wiñay Taki Ayllu, a Quechua family group devoted to the restoration of traditional arts, music and practices; and Malihatkwa Gwen Therrie, a traditional healer and sacred pipe carrier from Samahquam, BC.
For a full list of speakers, as well as directions and details about the gathering, please visit the http://www.iilg.ca/home
The Trailer featured here is from the documentary film “BridgeWalkers” by OneRiver Productions, includes a number of the Indigenous Leaders, Elders and Medicine People who have taken part in the previous two International Indigenous Leadership Gatherings.
The Gathering
The St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council (SCC) will once again oversee the 3rd Annual International Indigenous Leadership Gathering in Xaxl’ip, St’át’imc Territory from May 30th to June 5th, 2011 (at 10,001 Fountain Valley Road, Fountain, B.C., 30 minutes from Lillooet. B.C., Canada). The gathering is free and takes place in an outdoor arbor. All are welcome across the globe, meals are provided (please bring your own plates & cutlery & cooking gear). People from all over camp and gather throughout the days to share messages, witness and partake in scheduled discussions and ceremonies by various Indigenous speakers from around the world and locally. The theme of theme of the gathering is “Protecting the Sacred”.
Throughout the 1st and 2nd IILG we have heard shared-teachings from the Hopi, Lakota, Maya and other Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and throughout the world who say that the time for reconnection is now. Time is short for restoring the balance. The children need us to move with truth, love, and discipline. We have been instructed to come together for real reflection. Unlike other meetings, this gathering will take place at a sacred site (near Swena7em), in the heart of an Indigenous Nation’s ancestral territory.
The Gathering has brought together elders, ceremony keepers, & mandated leaders from the 4 directions including: Asia, Africa, the America’s (including the Arctic), Australia, & the South Pacific to discuss issues of common concern, based on territory, as well as visions for honouring the shared responsibilities. The 4 critical issues to be addressed include:
1. Sacred Knowledge – Embracing the guidance of our ancestors and elders, to live in balance.
2. Sacred Lands – Respecting the rhythms and warnings of Mother Earth to choose wisely.
3. Sacred Children – Nurturing the young ones, both near and far.
4. Sacred Generations – providing for future generations, the grandchildren and for all humanity.
Addressing such topics in their proper cultural context will provide a breakthrough for Indigenous Peoples internationally. It offers protection for the children and grounding for the youth, at a time when meaningful initiatives for tackling the root causes of culture loss are scarce. There will be relevant guidance from recognized spiritual authorities instead of further outside ‘expert’ prescriptions. Indigenous Peoples themselves will address the pressing global issues at which their Peoples now find themselves the centre of – for example, climate change.
The Sacred Fires have been lit. In August 2008 tobacco was delivered to Chief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota), 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, to formalize his invitation. Chief Arvol Looking Horse and many other elders were guest speakers at the 1st and 2nd IILG and will also be returning to speak on May 30, 2011.
The St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council raises our hands to you in gratitude for your continued support for this unique gathering based on vision. We would also like to take this time to officially invite you to our gathering (that is open to all people, world-wide).
Visit the Indigenous Leadership Gathering Website at http://www.iilg.ca/home
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