Opening of the Convening

The Convening of Indigenous Peoples for the Healing of Mother Earth was intended to bring forward the Original Teachings as kept by our Wisdom Keepers and Culture Bearers. The gathering  facilitated discussions among Indigenous peoples in North America on environmental health issues facing their communities and what it is that human beings can do to help Mother Earth to restore herself and our families and communities back to health, harmony, and balance.

Monday March 10^th, 2008

The Convening was held at the sacred site of Palenque, upon the traditional territory of the Maya People.  Palenque was chosen because of its spiritual importance to the Maya People. The Convening was opened with a Mayan sunrise ceremony at the Temple of Inscriptions, one of the many ancient buildings unearthed from the jungle at this sacred historic location.

Delegates gathered in darkness and Mayan ceremonialists and healers led the group in a traditional sunrise ceremony as the first day dawned.  Elders from each delegation came forward to participate in the prayer and ceremony. Other healing and spiritual ceremonies followed throughout the rest of the week.

The official opening of the Convening took place in the evening of the first day. Representatives from Canada, the US and Mexico addressed the participants.

Speakers included: Elder Elmer Courchene, Assembly of First Nations, Canada; Juan Sánchez Jiménez, Mexico; Elin Miller, United States; Debra Harry, United States/Northern Paiute of Nevada; Regional Chief Bill Erasmus, First Nations, Canada; and Yvonne Moorhouse for the Inuit delegation. Carol Jorgensen, Director of US Environmental Protection Agency’s American Indian Environmental Office, spoke on behalf of her office and for event co-creator Roy Kwiatkowski from Health Canada.