Native American Sweat Lodge to be discussed at Blanket and Toy Drive

Dan Running Bear will discuss the sweat lodge, its spiritual principles and functions, and answer questions at Redbird's 2009 Blanket, Toy and School Supplies Drive on December 5 in Simi Valley

Dan Running Bear to discuss the Native American Sweat Lodge at Redbird’s Blanket and Toy Drive
Free and Open To The Public
December 5, 2009 – Talk at 1 p.m.
Blanket, Toy and School Supplies Drive 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Simi Valley Library Community Room
2969 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, CA 93063

In light of the recent tragedy in Sedona, Arizona, Redbird has invited Dan Running Bear to speak about the true meaning and purpose of the sweat lodge ceremony, and how it is conducted. Guests do not need to be of Indian heritage to attend. There is no cost. Guests are welcome to contribute to the drive with new, lightweight, washables blankets, toys or school supplies for children of all ages, or food for the potluck-style feed.

The blanket, toy and school supplies drive is hosted by Redbird, a non profit Native American and environmental awareness organization based in Simi Valley, California.

Also participating in the event will be the northern traditional drum Blue Star, singing songs from the Lakota Nation; flintknapper Gary Pickett, a portion of the Genesis II Native American exhibit by Al Ewing and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, a Chumash cultural exhibit by Tim King, and a touch and feel exhibit for children. Cherokee flutist Bill Neal may also be in attendance. A potluck style feed will be available throughout the day with the generous support of Don Brown of Newbury Park and Redbird supporters.

Blankets, toys and school supplies are distributed as follows:

New blankets and soft toys – new, lightweight hand or machine washable blankets are sent to the Porcupine District of South Dakota, and individuals in other locations as funding for shipping permits.
New hard or boxed toys – distributed locally to Pukuu, United American Indian Involvement, Walking Shield, and other local agencies/families.
New school supplies – donated to Walking Shield at their Glendora donation location for distribution to reservation schoolchildren.

For those who cannot attend but would like to contribute, donations are needed to pay for sending the blankets and delivering the toys and school supplies. Tax deductible contributions can be made via Paypal to redbirds_vision [at] hotmail.com , or by check or money order, made out to Redbird and mailed to P.O. Box 702, Simi Valley, CA 93062. Redbird is also listed on eBay’s Giving Works, and is a participant of the eScrip program, which allows merchants to donate to non profit groups when participants in the eScrip program shop at their stores. To register, visit http://www.escrip.com.

Hosted by
Redbird
A 501(c)(3) non profit association
http://www.RedbirdsVision.org
P.O. Box 702, Simi Valley, CA 93062
(805) 217-0364 email: redbirds_vision [at] hotmail.com