The Grandmothers' Circle

WOVA member, Joyce Kovelman of Chatsworth, CA together with Chieftess Dell Wihongi of New Zealand, is coordinating an International Grandmothers' Circle based upon the Hopi Indian prophecy, "When the Grandmothers Speak, The Earth will Heal."

They invite you to send a Grandmother to represent your community; a woman of integrity, respect and wisdom. They are an inclusive Circle of Grandmothers (elders over 60 suns) representing all ethnicities, nations, races and religions. They also enfold a Circle of Mothers (younger mothers and grandmothers under 60 Suns) who serve as their advisors. They are concerned with the well being and healing of our planetary home and the future of our children and our children's children. All generations are invited and given voice and expression in their ever widening Circle.

Their Circle of Wisdom and Peace Keepers empowers women, their families, their tribes, villages, communities and nations. They believe that Grandmothers' ancient wisdom and teachings will return balance, harmony, compassion, and sanity to our troubled planet. They seek nothing less than Peace on Earth and Peace with Earth and a future for our Children.

They also enfold a younger advisory Circle of Mothers and welcome the encouragement and wisdom of Grandfathers, as well.

They are now asking your help in completing their circle so that they may assure humanity's survival. Working together, Wisdom and Peace Keepers serve as models of great potential and possibility. They recognize that "Protocol is the Way," yet all too often Protocol has gotten in the way, allowing negotiations and possibility to slip away. The Grandmothers' Circle hope to reach consensus and agreement on many of the issues that now divide our nations, tribes and homes. With the spirit of consensus reaching into our communities and villages, we open our hearts and our minds to explore the ways for living harmoniously with one another and for achieving a sustainable Peace in our world, even within our lifetime. Grandmothers, as conscious co-creators with nature, acknowledge the sacredness of all life. Instead of violence and war, they encourage humanity to walk the paths of peace.

They invite every tribe, village and nation who wishes to participate, to send a grandmother and/or a Mother of integrity and wisdom to join their efforts. "As our voices grow in number and strength, we will attain the needed support to gather together and to realize our service to humankind and Mother Earth. We welcome your ideas and participation."

"The years 1995-2004 have been designated as "The Decade of the Indigenous" by the United Nations. Indigenous wisdom is essential to the healing of Earth and all its inhabitants. Let us invite the Wisdom of the Grandmothers into our hearts, our homes and our communities so that healing may begin. Let us begin now!"

Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Australia (Aborigine), Costa Rica, Guatemala (Mayan), Hawaii, India (Santal), Iran, Lapland (Saami), New Zealand (Maori), North America (Cherokee, Dineh, Gwichen, Hopi, and Lakota), The Philippines, Peru, Samoa, South Pacific, Tibet (living in India).

Women of color (brown, black, red, white and yellow) and from all religions, practices and faiths (i.e., Buddhist, Christian, Huna, Hindu, Jewish, Maori, Mayan, Muslim, Saami, and Santal) already sit in our circle. Our first gathering will take place in New Zealand during Spring, 2001.

For more information email Joyce Kovelman at ASOUL1@aol.com