Women's Web of Life Gathering

May 24-26, 2024

We have made some changes for this year. The Web of Life will take the form of a gathering for women to come together as they have from time to time for generations, to share their stories, as they shared their work. Women have passed on their experience/knowledge through sharing teachings, stories, laughter, tears, and songs. Now is the time to reconnect with that lineage and sense of community.

Let’s gather for a weekend journey around the medicine wheel and share our stories and teachings from life, dances, fire, drumming, singing/chanting. There will be ceremonies and teachings throughout the weekend, but also less structured time for coming together and laughing and sharing in a safe space which perhaps you have not experienced before.

If this opportunity calls to you, please  call or write to Heather Robinson at:

heatherlands@gmail.com or (865) 414-9492. She responds better to email or text due to work/life.

You will need to bring with you the things you would for a weekend dance (see the list below). We will spend the weekend camping in the meadow, so come prepared for our ever-changing weather.  There will be a sweat lodge on Friday and a give-away at the end of the weekend. The suggested donation for the weekend is $200 (If you have difficulty with finance issues, part can be worked off with the work program  at the center or a payment plan made, but this will need to be discussed beforehand with the chief. )

Love, light, and laughter,

Heather 

• 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. 

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 $200.00. 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