Storytelling Festival 2024  ~ Storytelling lights the fire of hope!

Stories •  Prophecies • Instructions • Teachings • Music • Waterfalls & River Swimming  • Sacred Fire

Fri, May 31st, 12:00 pm - Sun, June 2nd, 2:00 pm + Late Night

Waterfall House 
256 W Fulton Rd 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.

Donate
To Register for the Festival, Please Click Here!

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.

 

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.

Donate
To Register for the Festival, Please Click Here!

Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com

Storytellers & Musicians

Yeye Luisah Teish is a writer, storyteller- activist, and spiritual counselor. She is an initiated elder (Iyanifa) and woman chief in the Ifa/Orisha tradition of the African diaspora. She has studied the indigenous spirituality of African, Native American (North, South, and Central) and Caribbean cultures. She is a priestess of Oshun, the Goddess of Love, Art, and Sensuality, and a devotee (mambo) of Damballah Hwedo, the Haitian Rainbow Serpent She is the author of six books, most notably “Jambalaya: The Natural Woman’s Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals,” a women’s spirituality classic (1985) that has been translated into German, Dutch, and Spanish. She co-authored “On Holy Ground: Commitment and Devotion to Sacred Land” with Leilani Bireley, a Hawaiian Kahuna. Her latest work,
Randy Lays Bad, Oglala Sioux Tribe (Turtle Island)
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Steven T. Newcomb (Shawnee, Lenape) is a scholar, educator, author, journalist, film producer, public speaker and workshop leader/facilitator. He is internationally recognized for his more than three decades of research and writing on the origins of federal Indian law and international law dating back to the early days of Christendom, most notably focused on the religious doctrine now known in history as the Doctrine of Christian Discovery. He is considered one of the foremost scholars and speakers on the subject. Steven is author of
Kurikindi, Sumae Causai (Kichua Nation, Ecuador) Golden Colibri from the Ecuadorian Amazon, Protector of Mother Earth and of the Sumae Causai, Guardian of the Amazon
Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong, (she/her/hers) Residing on the ancestral lands of the Council of Three Fires (Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi) Bilingual Storyteller/Percussionist/Speech & Language Pathologist Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong has often been called the “Singing, SIGNING, Spanish-Speaking, Storytelling, Percussion Playing Speech Pathologist. She was inspired over 30 years ago as a speech and language pathologist to begin writing stories, songs and plays for her predominantly African American and Spanish Speaking Children. She saw the need to show them the beauty and power that she saw within them that they didn’t know how to see. Blending her West African, Gullah, Cherokee, Seminole and Italian ancestries, she has encouraged both children’s and adult audiences to embrace all of who they are, realizing the value in their sense of wholeness. She has provided performances and workshops for universities, museums, cultural arts festivals, various places of worship, the social service, corporate sectors and much more. Her published stories and articles reveal the power of story for literacy, language development, interpersonal communication, and connecting with the Great Spirit within. Traveling internationally, and at times blending various languages (including American Sign Language), Mama Edie’s mission is to remind us all of the power there is in simply feeling welcomed; to also find the light we have inside, to nurture it and to nurture the light in each other, so that our spirits all shine. From there, we will soar beyond our greatest imaginings and - without wings – we will learn to fly!
Jyoti-300x286
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,Luisah Teish, Iyanifa and Oshun chief (USA)

Randy Lays Bad, Oglala Sioux Tribe (Turtle Island)

Elin Teilus, Sámi (Sápme, Sweden)

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)

Jyoti Ma, Elder, USA

Bonga, Master Haitian Drummer

Bethany Yarrow, Song Keeper & Earth Activist

Peter Yarrow, Singer-songwriter, Guitarist, Record Producer,
"Peter, Paul and Mary"

 

Event Details

 

Waterfall House
256 W Fulton Rd West Fulton NY 12194

Tour of Lotsi'tsison Skywomans Forever Farm,  3992 NY-30, Middleburgh, NY 12122 5.7 Miles. (8 minutes by car between the two locations).

DATES & TIMES

May 31st - June 2nd. 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

FOOD truck

Portable Bathrooms with washing stations Available

 

DONATION PASS & INFO

Donation Pass: $250

(Sliding scale donation pass available to locals and individuals who may benefit from a more flexible payment structure.)

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!

To Register for the Festival, Please Click Here!

 

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.

Donate

Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com

 

 

 

Where to stay nearby!

See links to nearby hotels, motels and Airbnb's. Additionally, links to campsite options and restaurants.

Hotels, Motels and b&b's List

Campsites Options

Local Airbnb

Restaurants in Middleburgh NY

Printable list of restaurants

There are several farm stands and a general store a few miles away, Scrumpy Ewe Cidery, Panther Creek Arts, and the Sap Bush Country Store and Café  just up the hill in West Fulton. Mustang Valley, a wild mustang sanctuary and rescue center, is just down the road. Nearby hikes include Looking Glass Pond and Vroman's Nose, among many others.

Feel free to contact us with any questions at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com

Schedule of the Events

Waterfall House 
256 W Fulton Rd 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 - May 31st

12pm noon - 1pm

  • Opening Ceremony at the Sacred Fire with Haudenosaunee, Luisah Teish, Iyanifa and Oshun chief (USA).
  • Traditional welcoming into territory ceremony Haudenosaunee Youth

1:30pm-2:30pm      Storyteller Haudenosaunee

2:30pm-3:30pm      Storyteller TBA

3:30pm-3:45pm      Break

3:45pm-4pm           Music - Bonga & Peter & Bethany Yarrow

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 - June 1st

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 Elin Teilus, Sámi (Sápme, Sweden)

3pm-4pm             Storyteller Bonga, Master Haitian Drummer

4pm-4:30pm        Music Elin Teilus, Sámi (Sápme, Sweden)

5pm-5:30pm        Closing prayer at sacred fire with Bonga, Master Haitian Drummer

6pm                       Dinner

Spontaneous songs and storytelling at the Sacred Fire after dinner at night!

 

SUNDAY -  June 2nd

8am                       Breakfast

9:30am-10am      Open prayer at sacred fire with  Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong - Residing on the ancestral lands of the Council of Three Fires (Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi) & Luisah Teish, Iyanifa and Oshun chief (USA).

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 - Haudenosaunee

1pm-2pm             Closing ceremony at the sacred fire with All delegates & Haudenosaunee Youth and Elders

 

 

THIS IS A DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE EVENT

To Register for the Festival, Please Click Here!

Questions? Email at centerforsacredstudies@gmail.com