The Journey of the Sacred Fire - 2017​
In the last 22 years over 16,000 coal bundles have been carried around the world, shared in ceremony, added to Sacred Fires, and used by good-hearted people. Read about the history and details of the Fire story at these two different websites:
Here are just a few of the travels of the Peace Fire coal bundles.
Arizona, Sedona – On Sunday, April 2, 2017, Fire coal bundles were given to Navajo elders who are involved with many sacred ceremonies: one elder was involved with a 9-day run over the mountains in California where Fire coals are being brought from Hiroshima Japan and other parts of the world; a Navajo painter who lets spirit guide all his work, “I am the Fire Keeper in all our night healing ceremonies; and a Navajo rug weaver and her teen daughter who use all the old weaving techniques learned from her mom who just died at 105 years old.
Australia & New Zealand – From February 19, 2017, to March 5, 2017, Tony Hollenback carried and shared the Sacred Fire coal bundles as he traveled with the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers on their visit to the lands down under.
California – Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – Jacqueline Bannon carried the Fire coal bundles on her three month 2659 mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Starting near Mexico in Campo, California she finished at Manning Park in British Columbia. She traveled through 25 forests, 7 parks, and connected with wonderful people.
Appalachian Trail –Jeremy Roche, at 66 years young, carried the Fire coal bundles from March 27 to August 19, 2012, on his 14 states, 145 days, 2184 mile journey while hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. He left coal bundles at Springer Mountain - at the beginning; Clinger Dome - the highest spot on the trial; Harper’s Ferry – the midway point; and Katahdin Mountain, at the end of the trail. His wife Sheri and the “trail angels” were vital to his success.
California, Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) - Kathleen Haerr Bridigina was one of 10 people invited by the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) to the first training of instructors for a new program for children called “New Worldviews Explorations.” Kathleen carried the Fire coal bundles to the training and gifted one to each of the other candidates that will carry their work around the world. Go to www.instututeofnoeticsciences• California, Mt Shasta – On July 22, 2017, Fire coals were sent to Joey Carroll who attended the Elders Gathering in Greenland for Angaangaq of Ice Wisdom. A Peace leader and gifted flute maker, he will share and use the coals in ceremonies with elders and friends in the Mt. Shasta area.
Canada, Banff – On July 27, 2017, the Fire coals were handed to Teffery Deerfoot an elder of the Blackfoot people. He works to preserve his culture by rewriting school curriculum, working with National Geographic when they come to the area, and leading ceremony. “We are leaving tonight and will carry these coals to the sacred Fire at our Sundance.”
• Canada, Jasper – Athabasca Glacier – On June 30, 2017, Fire coal bundles were left on the edge of the glacier. Over 10,000 years ago the glacier used to extend to Gibraltar Rock, located in Lodi, in Southern, Wisconsin. Gibraltar Rock is a 500’ tall standing stone outcropping in Lodi. There are deep glacial scrapes from the Athabasca Glacier on rocks of the top of Gibraltar Rock.
Canadian & United States Border – On July 24, 2017, Fire coals were left at the Waterton Lakes National Park with rangers and dropped into the water between the obelisks on the border between Canada and the United States. Established in 1932 as the First International Peace Park, in the world, by Canada and the U.S. as a celebration of friendship between countries. Over the last 84 years, it serves as the longest unprotected border in the world.
Chicago, Illinois – On 09-09-2016, a Fire ceremony was held at Northeastern in honor of the 7-year anniversary of the 09-09-09 24-hour World Peace Fire. Healers from Mongolia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, veterans, and environmentalists attended the gathering. Many connections to people, places, and peace were made that afternoon.
Chicago, Des Plaines, Illinois - On April 22, 2017, the Fire coal bundles were added to an Earth Day sacred Fire at the 150-
year-old Methodist Camp Ground. Over 140 people attended the ceremony and traveled from as far away as India, Mongolia, and across the United States. Cynthia Morgan organized the Earth Day Celebration and you can read of her dedicated work to transform the camp into a World Peace Center at www.hmc1860.org.
Chicago, Des Plaines, Illinois – On May 18, 2017, Grandmothers Flordemayo, Kookum Mary Lyons, and Doreen Barrett attended a Sacred Fire Ceremony at the 150-year old Methodist Camp Ground. Organized by Tony Hollenback, Director of Social Services in Niles, Illinois, over 100 people attended the Fire ceremony. You can read about the work going on at the 150+ year-old camp by Cynthia Morgan at www.hmc1860.org.
Chicago / Mongolia – On Sunday, January 8, 2017, at the Northeastern Fire circle the World 7th Chakra Ceremony for Mother Earth was conducted by Mongolian Shamans from the MONGOLTENGER UNEN Association. This ceremony was coordinated with other ceremonies being conducted simultaneously around the world. Go to www.tengermongolgazar.mn to read of their amazing work for Mother Earth, Mongolia, and the world.
Colorado – In June 2017, Clay and Mary Ellen Uptain accepted the Fire coal bundles to carry to their gathering at the Spiritual Unity of the Tribes Gathering. These gatherings have a long and extensive history and you can read of their work at www.sut-gatheringofeagles.org. “Coals were added to our sacred Fire and given to elders to carry to their ceremonies; a Sundance in South Dakota, a Sun/Moon Dance in California, and to several grandmothers who hold ceremonies in Northeast Canada, Vermont, and Connecticut.”
Germany, Volcano-Eifel - In February 2017, Dieter Scholz accepted the Fire coal bundles for his site at Beuerhof. Dieter shared, “Beuerhof is an ancient site where 3000 years ago the Celtic people and other tribes already did their ceremonies. In 1990 Archie Fire Lame Deer visited and “awakened” this sacred site. Since 1990 more than 50,000 people have come here to experience old wisdom through ceremonies, sweat lodges, and vision quests. You can read of the work we do at www.beuerhof.de. We welcome anyone to come and visit us if they are in the area.”
France – In August 2017, Philip Aswind van der Zee carried the Fire coal bundles to the Sundance for Peace in southern France. Intercessor/chief for the Sundance Howard Bad Hand added the Fire coals to the sacred Fire.
Greenland, Kangerlussaq – July 5th – 11th, 2017, an Elders Gathering for Angaangaq “Uncle” of Ice Wisdom. We were in the summer camp where Uncle’s family lived for thousands of years. Over 100 people from 11 countries attended the gathering to listen, learn and experience standing next to “the Big Ice” which is ground zero for global warming. The sacred Fire was lit from a 5,000-year old Qulleq (seal oil lamp) and our Fire coal bundles were added. “Uncle” Angaangaq was “called” by his people to bring home the sacred Fire to Greenland. On July 17, 2009, elders, spiritual leaders, along with ashes from 300+ sacred Fires from all over the world made their way to an ancient sacred site on the top of the world fulfilling a prophecy so old that no one knows the time. Jane Goodall stood next to Uncle as he lit that Fire. They both placed Fire coal bundles from our Northeastern Fire into that sacred Fire. Go to www.IceWisdom.com.
Hawaii, Maui –– Haleakalã Mountain - On October 24, 2016, a Peace Fire coal bundle was left on the peak at 10,023.’ Haleakalã, “House of the Sun” is a massive shield volcano and forms 75% of the island of Maui. From top to bottom, where it extends into the ocean, this is the highest mountain in the world and taller than Mt Everest.
Holland, The Netherlands - Fire coals were added to the Sacred Fire at the August 16 – 20, 2017, Roots of the Earth Kiva Gathering – the World United in One Prayer. A 4-day intertribal gathering of Aboriginal nations. Heriberto Villaseñor, Director of these ceremonies, has carried the sacred Fire to Mexico, Chile, Columbia, Peru, and The Netherlands. Invited speakers Philip and Theresia Van der Zee carried the Fire coal bundles to the gathering.
Illinois, Anna - On August 20, 2017, Fire coal bundles were gifted to Dallas Cain at the Native American Festival being held at the Methodist Camp. Dallas is the elder and Firekeeper of the Southern Band of the Cherokee. He placed the Fire coals into the sacred Fire as part of the ceremony in preparation for the full Eclipse on 8-21-2107.
India, New Delhi – From March 11- 13, 2015, over 3,000,000 people gathered from all over the world at the World Cultural Event sponsored by the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values. Pam Brockman gifted the Fire Coal Bundles to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder and visionary, who formed this organization 30 years ago. The event was to bring people together to celebrate peace. Lakota Sundance Chief Steve McCullough was the only Native American elder who was invited and attended this world cultural event.
Indiana, Bainbridge - On July 9, 2017, a Fire coal bundle was added to the lighting of the Sacred Fire by Bill McComb, the head Fire Keeper, at the 3rd Annual Sacred Nations Sundance. Google Sacred Nations Sundance.
Ireland – Hill of Uisneach – In May 2017, Irish President Michael D. Higgins was the first leader to light the ceremonial Fire on the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath since the last High King (presumed to be Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair) nearly 1000 years ago. The Uisneach Fire is a tradition dating back thousands of years to mark Beltane, the beginning of Irish Summer, each May. This land is the ancient spiritual center of Ireland before Christianity and has monuments, forts, Cairns, and relics dating back over 5,000 years. It is currently being considered for a UNESCO World Heritage Site. David and Angela are the owners and caretakers of the land and are working hard to make it part of a shared mission to help reposition the Hill of Uisneach as the center of the 21st century Irish cultural life. The Fire coal bundles have been hand delivered to David and Angela and used in their ceremonies over the last 10 years.
Iraq, Irbil - On April 4, 2017, Katie Freghetto was given the Fire coal bundles to carry with her to Iraq. Katie will be teaching there for one year and will leave the coals in special places, or with people she meets. The daily temp is 115 degrees. It is a place of war and chaos for the children and people who call it home.
Kentucky, Louisville – Fire coals were added to the sacred Fire on May 12, 2107, at the Momfeather Erikson Memorial. Momfeather was a Cherokee elder and Wisdom Keeper. She and her husband, Dean, founded the Mantle Rock Native Education and Cultural Center, in Marion, Kentucky, presided over the Wisdom of the Elders Gatherings for 10 years, and presented workshops at T.E.A.M. for over 12 years. Momfeather will be inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame on September 21, 2017, for her ongoing life’s work for Native rights in Kentucky and beyond.
Lake Michigan – Solstice Ceremony MKD - Miniss Kitigan Drum – On June 20, 2017, a Fire coal bundle was added to the sacred Fire as part of the Summer Solstice ceremony. Grandmother Keewaydinoquay re-established the traditions of her Ojibwa people to stand from sunrise-to-sunset to receive the message from “spirit” for the year for the ongoing of the people. The Oskibawig and MKD community carry on the ancient traditions she brought back.
Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar – September 21, 2017, Fire coal bundles were mailed to Ayangat, the Head Shaman, for the Mongol Tenger Unen Association Shamans gathering. The coals will be used in the shaman ceremonies at their gathering. Their organization works with healers and shamans around the world to heal and protect Mother Earth. You can read of their amazing work at www.mongoltengergazar.mn.
New York, Rhonebek – Omega Institute - Fire coal bundles were carried, used, and shared by Tony Hollenback at the Omega Institute for the Sacred Gathering of Elders, September 17 – 22, 2017. Six of the Grandmothers of the Sacred WE facilitated the gathering: Mary Lyons, Flordemayo, Moetu Tahai, Eila Paul, Pershehi Ami, and Devi Tide.
North Dakota, Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation – Sacred Stone Camp – The camp was set up on April 1, 2016, by LaDonna Brave Bull Allard to protest the building of the Dakota access pipeline across their sacred lands and near their sources for clean water. In August, 2016, Fire coals were carried to the Elders and FireKeepers at the Sacred Stone Camp and added to the Sacred Fires. Thousands upon thousands of people, including veterans, showed up to support the Native people despite the use of water cannons and attack dogs to stop them. “This event reshaped the national conversation for any environmental project that crosses Native land.”
Ohio, Adams Country – near Serpent Mounds – June 2017, marked the 26th year of the Salt Creek Sundance. Fire coals were carried to the Intercessor / Sundance Chief Steve McCullough and added to the sacred Fire by head FireKeepers Marty and Babs Fair. In 1991, the Salt Creek Sundance was the first Sundance east of the Mississippi River. The elders asked for it to take place here and the dance was started to stop the desecration of Native graves.
Washington D, C. – Peace Fire coal bundles were left in Washington D.C. on two separate occasions from March 8 - 12, 2017, and September 21 – 26, 2017. Bundles were left at places and monuments to honor, remember, and balance the energies being created in our country. They were left at the following monuments; Franklin Roosevelt; Martin Luther King; Abraham Lincoln; World War II; Korean; and Vietnam. Coals were also left in the White House, in the Capitol, at Ford’s Theatre, the Supreme Court, the African American Museum, and the American History Museum.
Discover more of the coal bundles travel stories here: