The 11th Annual International Sundance
will be held July 22 – 28, 2017
near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
We welcome YOU to become part of the International Sundance family !
Here’s what people are saying about International Sundance…
“Transformative!” “Beautiful.” “I’m still dreaming about it.”
“It was lovely to spend time with our ever-growing family.”
“You only get out what you put into it.”
“I still feel the drum, the heart-beat of Mother Earth.”
“It was an experience beyond words, and I’m so humbled and grateful to have been part of it!”
For more information about attending or supporting, please Contact Us via email with your name, contact info, how you heard about the Sundance, and why you feel attending the dance would be important to you.
There are many ways to support the Sundance through your prayers, talents, sharing with others, as well as financial support for the dance logistics. DONATE NOW to ensure that Indigenous Elders from many cultures will be there to impart their wisdom teachings. Thank you for your support!!
Please keep reading below to learn more about the history and purpose of International Sundance, and how you can be a part of this sacred and life-changing ceremony.
International Sundance
“The essence of this International Sundance was granted by the Great Spirit thousands of generations
ago to our sacred and holy ancestors. It has been enhanced by the guidance and direction of
the Great Spirit through many humbling ceremonies to this time and day.”
– Frank Settee, Cree/Ojibwe/Lakota Elder
Ceremonial Elder & Grandfather of the International Sundance
The 11th Annual International Sundance – July 22-28, 2017
Vision: The International Sundance is the manifestation of a vision carried for many, many generations by a highly-respected traditional Lakota family. It is an extraordinary gathering of family from the four directions in sacred ceremony to honor the Great Spirit, our Mother Earth, and all life. It is a powerful time of prayer for personal and community healing, peace, guidance, and to restore balance between female and male energies. This annual gathering is so unique because Elders from indigenous cultures around the globe come together to add their traditional ceremonies and teachings to the time-honored wisdom and practices of the traditional Sundance of the first peoples of North America.
Since its inception in 2007, the International Sundance has been held on sacred ground in Montana, Hawai’i, on Njarrindjeri land in South Australia and on Anishinabeg traditional land near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Beginning this year, International Sundance ceremonies will take place on near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Then in coming years, International Sundance may travel to different locations including Asia, Central America, Africa & Europe. Each one-of-a-kind gathering will honor the traditions, ceremonies and wisdom of the host cultures as well as those of the traditional Sundance and other international participants.
Traditional Sundance: The Sundance is a very sacred ceremony, and central to the culture of the first peoples of the Northern Plains. It has been conducted every summer for thousands of years to honor the Great Spirit and to pray for the well-being and protection of the people.
The ceremonies take place outdoors on sacred land. A circular Arbor is constructed around a central Sundance Tree. Rounds of dancing and prayer, accompanied by traditional drumming and singing, continue for four days inside the Arbor around the sacred Tree. Sundancers fast from food and water for four days while they dance and pray. Supporters and helpers do not fast; however, they fully participate in the ceremony through prayer and service to the community. As one experiences the spirit of the Sundance, a feeling of cleansing & rebirth often occurs as a result of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges inherent in the Sundance ceremony. Everyone has the opportunity to take the life-changing teachings and unique experiences gained with them to practice and share with others in their lives.
Prior Sundances: During the first ten International Sundances held 2007-2016, several hundred participants, including dozens of indigenous Elders, gathered from places as diverse as Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, Siberia, Guatemala, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Hawaii, Canada and the U.S. to share teachings, sacred ceremonies and to pray together for understanding and peace among all peoples. All who took part in these earlier International Sundances were profoundly moved by the shared feeling of community and unity of purpose co-created during these sacred events. The vast majority of participants stated afterwards that their experiences and personal healing gained at the International Sundances changed them forever, and that they are committed to participating again in future years.
Sundance Participants
Elders & Honored Guests from indigenous cultures across the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Asia, and other areas share traditional ceremonies, teachings and healing prayers.
Sundancers commit to four days of dancing and prayer without food or water. Their sacrifices are made as an offering to Great Spirit along with their prayers for healing for the people and the Earth.
Supporters & Helpers are essential participants in Sundance. It is a time to be of service, and to practice what we wish to create in the world including honor and respect for the land, ourselves and each other.
International Sundance 2017
The 11th Annual International Sundance will be held July 22-28, 2017 in stunningly beautiful Alberta, Canada approximately 30 minutes from Edmonton. We’re expecting approximately 200-300 participants, including several indigenous Elders, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Canada, U.S.A., and possibly Africa, Asia and South America, at this year’s International Sundance in Alberta.
Ceremony Dates: Saturday, July 22 – Friday, July 28, 2017
Saturday, July 22: Cultural Sharing & teachings from elders & leaders.
Sunday, July 23: Tree Day – all participants help put-up Sundance tree, place prayer ties & flags on tree, make final preparations, and participate in dancers final feast before their 4-day fast and dancing.
Monday – Thursday, July 24-27: Four days of Sundancing, ceremonies conclude with a community feast on Thursday afternoon to welcome the Sundancers back from their journey to the spirit world.
Friday, July 28: Break camp and begin grounds clean-up.
Please note: In honor of this sacred place, every effort will be made to minimize the human impact on the land including limiting the number of attendees. For example, we will pack in and pack out again all supplies and facilities required to conduct the ceremonies and to accommodate and feed the participants. Also, we use biodegradable and ecologically responsible materials wherever possible while on site. Not only will participants experience the rare and seldom-shared traditional wisdom teachings provided, but they also will have the opportunity to learn, first-hand, skills necessary for living sustainably and in harmony with the natural environment.
Participation in International Sundance ceremonies is by invitation only. If you would like to participate in the ceremonies as a Sundancer or Supporter, or you have questions about International Sundance and how you can help, please Contact Us. We look forward to hearing from you!
What’s Needed
International Sundance is a community ceremony. We receive no government funding to cover the costs associated with conducting the ceremonies, and rely on the financial support of the Sundance participants and the greater community to provide:
* Travel costs, food & housing for our Elders, Leaders & Drum Group.
* Ceremonial supplies for our Sundancers.
* Tools, building supplies and equipment to prepare the Sundance grounds, maintain the Sundance Arbor, build an Inipi (sweat lodge), provide food, community kitchen, washing facilities, and portable restrooms for 200-300 people.
How You Can Help
1. Please make a tax-deductible donation to help cover the costs of conducting the ceremonies by choosing one of the following options:
Option A. to make a one-time donation via PayPal, credit card or e-check, please click on the Donate button below:
Option B. to make monthly donations each month via PayPal, credit card or e-check, please select one of the following Subscribe options:
Option C. to make monthly donations via PayPal, credit card or e-check, for a specific number of months, please select one of the following Subscribe options:
The $75.00 subscription lasts for 4 months. After 4 months you will not be charged again. Your total donation will be $300.00 USD.
The $100.00 subscription lasts for 3 months. After 3 months you will not be charged again. Your total donation will be $300.00 USD.
2. Volunteer
We need volunteers to help:
* construct facilities, and gather and transport supplies BEFORE the Sundance.
* with fundraising and gathering necessary supplies needed to conduct the ceremonies.
* DURING the Sundance by assisting Elders; taking a shift in the Community Kitchen; supporting the Sundancers, Elders and Drum Group; harvesting & preparing sage (women); firekeeping (men); helping in the Medicine Lodge; Security; etc.
If you would like to volunteer your skills, supplies, equipment and your time to help out, please Contact Us.
3. In-kind Items Needed
* Airline miles for Elders’ travel to participate in the ceremonies and share teachings
* Trailer, 16-18′ dual-axle
* Folding tables & chairs
* Large stew pots with lids
* Tents, cots & sunshades for Elders
Thank you for your support for International Sundance 2017!
