Women's Web of Life Dance

May 24-26, 2024

“It is through stillness and movement that we begin to see the interconnectednesses among all things.”

The Women’s Web of Life Dance is about looking down the threads of life (both forward and backward) and seeing all the possible consequences of our choices. It is about seeing, understanding, and ultimately taking responsibility for what we set in motion. It is about gaining understanding of how we affect the strands next to us and across from us, indeed the whole web of life. Maybe it’s about learning how every single little thing that we do affects the whole.

Working together in community we create the Arbor, which is oval in shape with thirteen poles – twelve around the perimeter and the thirteenth placed inside. We dance with a fire at the center of the Arbor offering us the opportunity to make choices, through movement, to let go of or transmute what no longer serves us and the ability to create life anew.

This Dance is a little like the Sun-Moon Dance in that Spirit has shown us to dance back and forth to the center--but in this case we dance to the fire, which gives us the energy to create. This Dance is also a little like the Long Dance in that we also have been shown to dance around the circle (and perhaps even at times later into the night). We have been told to shape the dance area like an egg and put up thirteen poles--twelve around the perimeter and a larger thirteenth pole at the edge of the dance area.

Although the dancers and the crew are all women, men are invited and encouraged to help prepare the dance area on Friday afternoon and to return on Sunday to partake in the feast.

For information, please contact Jennilea or Heather by email 

Jennilea Beem: Phone 615-691-2721

Heather Robinson:Phone 865-414-9492

There will be an afternoon orientation, teaching, and sweat lodge on Friday. The Drum Dance and fasting begins immediately after the sweat lodge and ends sometime on Sunday. 

Plan to arrive by noon on Friday. If you can arrive early, your help will be needed to prepare for the dance, including sweat lodge preparations, wood splitting, stone and pole gathering, ground preparation, etc. It is important for every dancer to be here for the beginning of the dance.  

A food and water fast is recommended for the duration of the dance. Those who have special medical needs and/or who are taking medication may discuss it with the dance chief prior to the dance.

• A personal tent
• ground cover
• tarp
• sleeping bag
• pillow
• pad or mattress and anything else necessary for your comfort while sleeping/resting.
• You may also wish to bring a chair.  
• Clothing that can be layered. Some mornings and evenings may be cool. Women will wear skirts, mid-calf-minimum for skirt length and modest tops or mid-calf skirt length dresses while dancing. You may wear shorts, leggings or sweat pants underneath your skirt. There will be no nudity at the Dance except inside your tent. Bring comfortable shoes to wear. You may also dance barefooted. Bring a dress or skirt and top, and towels for the sweat lodge which will take place on Friday. In preparation for this Dance ceremony, women will wear dresses or skirts and tops in the lodge; No swim suits, shorts, etc. Please ask if you have questions about this.  
• We suggest that you bring sunscreen, insect repellent, baby wipes, sunglasses, hat, chap stick, flashlight and rain gear. Please bring unscented items only. 
• No matter where you are in your moon cycle, it is advisable to bring sanitary supplies, as the Dance sometimes will change your cycle. 
• If you are on any medication, please bring it with you and inform the Chiefs of your medical conditions.
• Do NOT bring any electronic devices such as radios, recording devices, lap tops, tablets, etc. Please leave your cell phones turned off and in your car. 

You will not need food or water during the Dance. We will be fasting.

Each dancer is requested to bring food to share for the feast following the Dance. Please do not bring anything that needs major cooking or preparation. Food may be taken to the kitchen prior to the Dance. Refrigeration is available. Bring an item to give away for the giveaway ceremony following the feast and sharing. 

• You may bring ceremonial items for a small altar inside your tent. Use of a ceremonial turkey fan in the Dance is ok, but no rattles, bells or personal Drums are to be used by the Dancers.  
• VERY IMPORTANT: No raptor or other restricted feathers are allowed on the land.  
• Bring 3 or 4 small, white hand towels, which will be turned in at registration, used during the Dance and left at the Dance site; and 2 white sheets. Also, please bring ½ yard each of yellow, white, black, red, green, blue & purple cotton fabric, (please try to find cotton as it burns more cleanly. Cotton/poly blends are acceptable if you cannot find cotton), tobacco, and string for the making of prayer ties. You may also choose to bring a “personal color” of fabric to use in addition to the traditional ones. (Instructions will be given at the Dance about the making of Prayer Ties. If this is not your first Web Dance, remember the gray fabric as well.) You may begin your Prayer Ties before the Dance. Remember to bring them with you to the Dance. 
• If there is any emergency we will provide you with a phone. If you need more info about any of the items please contact the Dance Chiefs at Web.dance@centerforpeace.us 

The Dancer contribution for this dance is $300.00. Staff recommendation is $50.00. This covers the expenses necessary to hold the dance. There is never a charge for ceremony. Payment options are available when arrangements are made in advance. There is also a work exchange program in place at the Center.

Click below to Register for the Web of Life Dance