Manataka™ American Indian Council
YOU ARE INVITED TO AUSTRALIA!
April 18 to April 29, 2011
Australian
Manataka Spiritual Gathering
Camp Bornhoffen
Numinbah Valley, S.E. Queensland, Australia
Come with Manataka's Elders and friends to beautiful Australia -- at a low group rate -- and enjoy many exotic places, wonderful aboriginal people and the majestic Outback. Come with us on a pilgrimage to the ancient spiritual center Uluru. Enjoy the nightlife of modern Brisbane. Go ocean fishing on the Great Barrier Reef. Attend the Manataka Spiritual Gathering and witness magnificent indigenous dancers and musicians. They really do play the didjeridoo (diggery-do).
The Manataka Gathering in Australia coincides
Camp Bornhoffen is an easily accessible, beautiful and well equipped facility that will provide an excellent opportunity for spiritual growth, relaxation, and fun for the entire family. Come join us in ceremony and interactive events to promote peace and unity. Limited to 30 participants.
Setting:
Camp
Bornhoffen is a 98 hectare (242 acres) property situated at Natural Bridge
in the Gold Coast hinterland. Just 30 minutes drive from the Gold Coast and 1
hour and 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD,
Bornhoffen is set against a beautiful
backdrop of high rainforest covered mountains, spectacular cliffs, crystal clear
running creeks and waterfalls. The elevation of 400 metres above sea level and
high average rainfall means that the vegetation remains lush and green all year
round.
Facilities:
Ceremonial Fire
Large
camp accommodate up to 120 people in dormitory style - bunk beds which look
very comfy rooms.
The few separate private rooms are reserved for honored guests.
Communal modern shower and toilet facilities.
Catered meals and a big, modern kitchen so we can easily work together to cook.
Inside meeting spaces to gather in case of inclement weather.
Australian and New Zealand members of Manataka will be on hand to assist you.
Activities:
Local Aboriginal People will perform a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony in recognition of their sacred custodianship of these ancient lands.
Ceremonial Fire and Ceremonies to renew the Manataka family in Australia and New Zealand
Drumming and Singing
Giveaway Ceremony - Bring gifts to share with Elders and other guests
We have a diverse range of activities to choose from. We aim for our activities to be fun, adventurous, challenging, hands-on, and spiritual.
Outdoor multi-sports court, playing field, swimming pool and plenty of open space walking tracks which lead to some of the special natural features on the property including two waterfalls, two waterholes and a lookout. Activities comply with the requirements of Education Queensland Health and Safety Guidelines.
Special Appearance:
Bunna
Rupert Lawrie, a spiritual elder, songwriter, author and musician and from the
dispossessed aboriginal Mirning tribe, has consented to assist with ceremonies
during the Gathering. In 1978, Bunna founded a musical group called
the Coloured Stone at a little community called Kooniba, 50 km west of Ceduna,
South Australia. Over the years they have been based in Katherine, Alice Springs
and Darwin in the Northern Territory, and Townsville in Queensland.
Awarded the Don Banks Music Award in 1999 for his outstanding contribution to
Australian Music - the first time this award has ever gone to a rock musician,
let alone an indigenous one. From the start he was the original drummer
for the band, but went onto rhythm, when his brother, Neil left the band over
ten years ago. He then became the lead singer/songwriter and rhythm guitarist.
The band has had many changes in line up over the years. Presently, the other
members of the band include Bunna's son, Jason Scott, playing lead guitar, while
another young relative, nephew Duane Lawrie, is on drums, with brother, John
John Miller, handling the bass. Joseph Williams and Darwin-born Ash Dargan, who
is from the Larrakia Aboriginal Nation, alternate on didjeridu and percussion.
Constantly touring Coloured Stone has been a big drawcard at festival throughout
the year, including the Woodford Folk, Big Day Out and were headliners at the
Laura Cultural Gathering on Cape York. At a recent gig Bunna Lawrie sat
cross-legged on the stage as he began the Coloured Stone set with "Mouydjengara",
a traditional whale-dreaming song of his people - the Mirning.
Playing what he described as the oldest musical instrument on the planet - the
bundawuthada or gong stone - Bunna created an eerie, ringing percussion, over
which the wailing lead guitar feedback simulated the song of the whale.
Bunna Lawrie is featured in the award-winning film "Traditional
Whale Dreamers"
http://www.whaledreamers.com
Lee Standing
Bear Moore, Kituwah, Keeper of Manataka, volunteer Secretary and Historian
for the Manataka American Indian Council, Storyteller, Medicine of the Bear, and
Keeper of the Sacred Manataka. Grandfather Bear is an author, lecturer and
editor of the Smoke Signal News. Bear is a long-time resident of Hot
Springs and studied American Indian history and customs for more than 35 years.
He is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran with purple hearts, Silver Star,
Bronze Star and Gallantry In Action medals. Bear and MAIC has been honored with
letters of recognition and by the elders of many tribal nations and is regularly
invited to conduct ceremonies in various parts of the country. During the
late 1980’s, Standing Bear served as advisor and special liaison our people, the
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. A documentary film
titled, “The Story of Manataka” features Standing Bear. He has written
articles for magazines, newspapers, and newsletters and appeared on radio and
television talk shows. Standing Bear is frequently presents programs to
schools, civic groups and churches. Moore is a graduate of LaSalle University
with degrees in business law and business administration. He is married to
Rebecca Owl Woman with two daughters and three grandchildren. His youngest
daughter, Amanda Morning Star Moore, 22, is the Drum Leader for the
Manataka Drum Society.
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Programme: |
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| September 26, Saturday | |
| 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Registration. Assignment of volunteer roster positions. Mix and mingle party |
| 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Pot-luck dinner preparation |
| 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Informal welcoming of overseas and invited guests in the central courtyard |
| 6:.00 – 7:00 p.m. | Pot-luck Dinner |
| 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. | Welcome to Country ceremony by Aboriginal Elders. Drumming with the *World Drum |
| 9:30 to bedtime | Open visitation with new friends, elders and family |
| September 27, Sunday | |
|
5:30 a.m. Pre-Dawn |
Dawn Ceremony at the Sacred Fire to greet the day … as guided by the Manataka Elders |
|
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. |
Communal Breakfast |
|
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. |
Brekky Clean Up |
|
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. |
Open Time; Prepare for the day |
|
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. |
Group teaching and sharing -- beverages and refreshments will be served |
|
11:30 – 12:00 p.m. |
Open Time; Meditation; Exercise; Play |
|
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
Catered Lunch |
|
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
Community teaching exchange, crafts/arts, traditional songs and dances. Workshops; Meditation |
|
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. |
Open Time; Meditation; Exercise; Play; Afternoon Tea |
| 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. |  Waterfall
Journey; crafts/arts, meditation; drum circles, sports (Aussie Rugby
with the Elders?) |
| 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Catered Dinner |
| 7:15 – 9:30 p.m. | Manataka Sacred Ceremony led by Elders and Guests |
| 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. | Open Time; Mix and Mingle |
|
September 28, Monday |
|
| 5:30 a.m. Pre-Dawn | Dawn Ceremony at the Sacred Fire to Greet the Day |
|
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. |
Communal Breakfast |
|
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. |
Brekky Clean Up |
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Prepare for the day; Pack Belongings |
| 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Workshops, Learning Circle, Share cultural wisdoms, teachings, and healing methods |
| 11:30 – 12:00 p.m. | Open Time; Meditation; Exercise; Play; Afternoon Tea |
| 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Community Prepared Lunch -- Community Giveaway - Thank you Ceremony |
| 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Clean up |
| *** Arts/Crafts vendors are invited to submit a request to display. | |
|
Contact: Lynn Dream Dancer or Chrissy 07 3382 7949 in Oz, 61 7 3382 7949 Overseas |
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The
WORLD DRUM will travel from Europe to
take part in the inaugural Manataka Gathering in Australia.
Guests will be invited to play the drum and take pictures.
The World Drum has visited countries all over the world bring its special message of peace and love.
The World Drum is a call to action to reduce and stop pollution and poisoning Mother Earth.
Come to the Manataka Gathering and experience the awesome power of the World Drum.
Read The World Drum Project and Experiencing the Drum
Food:
Two catered meals - Sunday Lunch and Sunday
Dinner
Saturday Night ‘PotLuck’ with everyone bringing something yummy to share
Sunday Breakfast, Monday Breakfast and Lunch Pot Luck
(See Check List Below)
Special or restricted diets - Bring food appropriate to your needs
Barbecue facilities available
Individual Challenges:
By encouraging people to take risks within a safe and supportive environment, individuals can explore their own potential and build their confidence and self-concept. Examples include abseiling, climbing, flying fox and high ropes activities.
Journeys:
The experience of traveling as a self-sustained group over land or water provides many opportunities for growth through real life physical and mental challenges. Examples include bushwalking, overnight walks, canoeing trips and multi-method expeditions. We have experience in developing journey-based programs in remote areas of regional Queensland.
Environment and Heritage:
Activities that explore the natural world and promote conservation and sustainable living
Adventure for All Abilities:
Everyone has different needs, strengths, experience and abilities. Outdoor recreation programs for people with special needs including people with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities and mental illness.
Location:
Bornhoffen
is located approximately 45 kilometres from Nerang at: 3510 Nerang Murwillumbah
Road, Natural Bridge, Queensland 4211. Just 30 minutes drive from the Gold
Coast and 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Brisbane.
Local Attractions:
Bornhoffen is located two kilometres from the Natural Bridge National Park which is a small but magnificent remnant rainforest with a ‘natural bridge’ formed by a waterfall running into a cave. This cave also supports a colony of glow worms. There are two cafes and a horse trail riding company located in the Natural Bridge/Numinbah Valley area. Springbrook and Lamington World Heritage National Parks, magnificent beaches, theme parks and other attractions of the Gold Coast are all within easy day trip distance.
Gathering Contact:
Lynn Dream Dancer and Baz Guy
Queensland
617-492-10750
Reservations:
$160 per adult / $80 per child and includes dormitory, bunk-style accommodation for 2 nights and 2 days, 2 catered meals on Sunday 27th, and all activities.
All other meals will be jointly prepared in the large modern kitchen, "pot-luck" style by participants. A 50% deposit is required.
This event is sponsored by the Manataka American Indian Council, a nonprofit organization.