Meet the Elder - Gail Whitlow, Kanienkehaka (Mohawk)

Join us for an exceptional evening in our series "Meet The Elder".

This time we will spend a sacred sharing around the fire with Gail Whitlow, Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) on the theme of "Bridging the Worlds - Ancestral Values in a Modern World"

Gail will share about:

• Language of the Land- The disconnect
• Ancestral Knowledge in Modern Times
• Honoring the Messages from the Past
• Traditional knowledge- The key to the future

It is a special evening where we will practice deep listening and also have some time for a live Q&A.

More about Gail

My home is here on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation.  My mothers' bloodline extends back many generations as a bear clan (shaking the rattle) woman of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.  I am Kanienkehaka (Mohawk).  On my father's side, I acknowledge the Mohawk turtle clan.

I also honor my fathers' grandfather who traveled to our land from Ireland.  Celtic roots.  I feel the power of this sacred land pulsing through my blood.  Our story here on turtle island is expressed in an oral tradition, passed through generations.  The deep history steeped in rich culture.  Our ancestors survived many changes and challenges but retain that deep connection to the land and spiritual knowledge.

I am the mother of 5 children and 14 grandchildren who are connected to their cultural ways.  I am proud to see them walk their path.  Being born into the bear clan family means a path of healing and medicine.  I walk this path proudly.  And I created little bears to follow!

Our generations have carried a great burden over the past few hundred years.  Our Six Nations community struggles with many issues and if there is a way to uplift our hearts and souls, then it is our responsibility to accept the challenge of providing what we can.  

Founder of Ancestral Voices Healing Centre

Founder Land of the Dancing Deer 

Founder of Sacred Sites Sacred Journeys

Co-Founder of Grandmothers Circle the Earth, 

Co-Founder of Grandmothers Voice

I am known as a Traditional Healer, Medicine Knowledge Keeper, Pipe Carrier, and much more.  Together with the heartbeat of ceremony and love, our people can breathe in the essence of unity and peace.  

The Land of the Dancing Deer has manifested because of prayers laid during many sacred journeys and ceremonies.  The vision has been ‘upgraded’ over the course of 25 years.  ‘the land has shown visions of the past and future.  

The journey we take as enlightened souls weaves a path of interconnectedness with all Creation.  We each have a responsibility to follow our dreams for the best outcome for ourselves, our families, communities, and fellow beings.

My dream started with the genuine desire to offer opportunities to enhance the well-being of our peoples.  The struggles are real.  Life, post-trauma, after being forced off our land and losing our culture, language and identity posed much grief and sadness.  Addiction, suicide, and OD,s are all too common.  We are burdened with providing a healthy future for our coming 7 generations.  To this end, healing tools for personal development using ancestral knowledge and ceremony were envisioned.

Land of the Dancing Deer was ceremonially named.  It will be a Centre where ceremony, land-based learning, Traditional Teachings will be and are being shared with all interested in learning the rich culture of our Native peoples in a modern world.  The land is designed to offer a natural healing environment both encouraging connection to the natural forces as well as ceremonial and meditation areas.  

The Centre design brings Haudenosaunee technology to the forefront.   The Centre will offer a unique and self-sustainable healing/wellness retreat and gardens /trails.  Centre to provide employment skills to community members.