Dear Friend,
The StoryTelling Festival that was happening July 21 – 23, 2023 in New York, has been postponed due to inclement weather. As many of you have heard over the news, New York and the east coast have been inundated with heavy rains & flooding.
We were still committed to come, as some of this weather was not affecting the West Fulton area as strongly. We were just told today that there is a prediction for severe thunderstorms and heavy rain for the days of our event.
We consulted one of our Grandmother Elders who was attending this event, and her advice was “the Water Spirits are angry, we must listen.” It is for all these reasons that with heavy hearts, we will need to postpone the StoryTelling Festival. Our team will need to meet and determine when and how to go forward.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We will continue to communicate as all this unfolds.

Storytelling Festival 2023 ~ Storytelling lights the fire of hope!
Stories • Prophecies • Instructions • Teachings • Music • Waterfalls & River Swimming • Sacred Fire
Fri, July 21st, 2023, 12:00 PM - Sun, July 23rd, 2023, 2:00 PM + Late Night
1160 Bear Ladder Road • West Fulton, NY • 12194
All donations appreciated.
If you can’t attend, your donation of $250 will bring an edited version of the festival to you, which you can share with your family.
Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com
The Mother Earth gave Her sacred gift of storytelling to the Original Peoples in the beginning days. These creation stories and stories that also prophesize and instruct have been passed down through the generations. These stories provide a tapestry of The Story of our existence.
They share the bigger picture of Mother Earth’s story and how all has evolved. We invite you to enter with us into this very sacred space and ceremonial time where traditional storytellers will share the stories that will help us walk through these challenging times. As Grandmother Luisah Teish says, “We must re-inspirit the art of storytelling. Our children must learn to sit still and listen. The story is important in their instruction.”
In that spirit, she offered this prayer.
Grandmother Luisah Teish is a delegate of the Mother Earth Delegation. She is a teacher, dancer, storyteller, and high priestess. She is Iyanifa and Oshun Chief living in the United States. She will be with us in New York!!
As many of you know the Mother Earth Delegation has tirelessly walked out the instructions that the Mother Earth is giving them. These instructions are a response to these times. This gathering will be a moment to bring the support this movement needs to continue strong for us all!!
And you are a part of that!
We are asking for a $250 donation for entry. Each entry a vote for protecting the sacred territories and cultures that are sustaining life for this planet. Truly it is your moment to step into this movement and support our Original Peoples in this work. For those that can’t offer this level of support, we are working to create a way that will allow your participation in other ways.
This is a gathering for all!! A time to unite all nations as we continue to stand up for and with Mother Earth. We are in a time of critical choice. Make your choice be one that is investing in the future of generations to come. This is a time to deeply listen! And the instruction for each of us is held in these traditional stories.
Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com
StoryTellers









Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq (Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland)
Grandmother Loretta Afraid of Bear Cook, Oglala Sioux Nation (Turtle Island)
Luisah Teish, Iyanifa and Oshun chief (USA)
Randy Lays Bad, Oglala Sioux Tribe (Turtle Island)
Shawna Bluestar Newcomb, Shawnee Lenape (Turtle Island)
Steven T. Newcomb, Shawnee Lenape (Turtle Island)
Kurikindi, Sumae Causai (Kichua Nation, Ecuador)
Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong - Residing on the ancestral lands of the Council of Three Fires (Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi)
Kanerahtiio Roger Jock, Kanien’kehá:ka leader from the Akwesasne
Event Details
* Food (truck) is available for purchase at the StoryTelling Festival
** Donation Pass is transferable but non-refundable
** Absolutely no alcohol or drugs at the event or anywhere onsite.
** Dogs welcome, well behave and on leash all time accompanied by the owner
LOCATION
Skóhare Long House
1160 Bear Ladder Road • West Fulton, NY • 12194
United States
DATES & TIMES
July 21st - July 23rd. Friday: 12pm-6pm • Saturday: 9am - 6pm • Sunday 9am-2pm
+ Late Night
Spontaneous songs and storytelling at the Sacred Fire after dinner at night!
Free PARKING
DONATION PASS & INFO
Donation Pass: $250
We are happy to offer free admission to children under 12 who are accompanied by an adult. We kindly remind visitors that children must be accompanied by an adult in the Waterfalls and river area.
For teens aged 12-17, we offer a reduced suggested donation of half the regular amount. Please note that teens must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the Waterfalls and river area.
Calling all Haudenosaunee youth!
We are offering free attendance to the Storytelling Festival for Haudenosaunee youth!
Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com
Where to stay nearby!
See links to nearby hotels, motels and b&b's. Additionally, links to campsite options and local airbnb.
Feel free to contact us with any questions at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com
Schedule of the Events
STORYTELLING FESTIVAL • Friday JULY 21 - Sunday JULY 23
1160 Bear Ladder Road • West Fulton, NY • 12194
Stories • Prophecies • Instructions • Teachings • Music • Waterfalls & River Swimming • Sacred Fire
Spontaneous songs and storytelling at the Sacred Fire after dinner at night!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY - JULY 21st
12pm noon - 1pm
- Opening Ceremony at the Sacred Fire with Grandmother Loretta Afraid of Bear Cook, Oglala Sioux Nation (Turtle Island) & Luisah Teish, Iyanifa and Oshun chief (USA).
- Traditional welcoming into territory ceremony with Kanerahtiio Roger Jock, Kanien’kehá:ka leader from the Akwesasne.
1:30pm-2:30pm Storyteller—To Be Announced
2:30pm-3:30pm Storyteller Grandmother Loretta Afraid of Bear Cook, Oglala Sioux Nation (Turtle Island)
3:30pm-3:45pm Break
3:45pm-4pm Music
4pm-5pm Storyteller Luisah Teish, Iyanifa and Oshun chief (USA).
5pm-5:30pm Closing prayer at the sacred fire with Steven T. Newcomb, Shawnee Lenape (Turtle Island)
6pm Dinner
Spontaneous songs and storytelling at the Sacred Fire after dinner at night!
SATURDAY - JULY 22nd
8am Breakfast
9:30am-10am Opening prayer at sacred fire with Randy Lays Bad, Oglala Sioux Tribe (Turtle Island)
10am-11am Storyteller Kurikindi, Sumae Causai (Kichua Nation, Ecuador)
11am-noon Storyteller Randy Lays Bad, Oglala Sioux Tribe (Turtle Island)
Noon-12:30pm Noon prayer at sacred fire with Kurikindi, Sumae Causai (Kichua Nation, Ecuador)
12:30pm-1:45pm Lunch
2pm-3pm Storyteller Shawna Bluestar Newcomb, Shawnee Lenape (Turtle Island)
3pm-4pm Storyteller Uncle Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq (Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland)
4pm-4:30pm Music
5pm-5:30pm Closing prayer at sacred fire with Uncle Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq (Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland)
6pm Dinner
Spontaneous songs and storytelling at the Sacred Fire after dinner at night!
SUNDAY - JULY 23rd
8am Breakfast
9:30am-10am Open prayer at sacred fire with Shawna Bluestar Newcomb, Shawnee Lenape (Turtle Island)
10am-11am Storyteller Steven T. Newcomb, Shawnee Lenape (Turtle Island)
11am-11:15pm Break
11:15am-12:15pm Storyteller Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong - Residing on the ancestral lands of the Council of Three Fires (Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi)
12:15-12:45pm Music
1pm-2pm Closing at the sacred fire with All the Delegates & Haudenosaunee Elders
Closing ceremony
THIS IS A DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE EVENT
Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com