Where the Spirit Moves

Banner gift to the Tribal Leaders of the Yakama Nation in celebration for the healing of the land. Presented following a Tribal Sacred Ceremony at Holden Village. Art by Peg Carlson-Hoffman + Chuck Hoffman © Genesis+Art

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Glacier Peak Wilderness

On a Thursday morning in early February, we traveled to a meeting with the Yakama Nation Tribal Elders. We had hand painted banners for the Tribal Council meeting because, “we wanted to create an original gift from Holden Village.” Earlier in the year we had experienced a sacred ceremony lead by the Yakama Nation in the village. They had come to pray for and celebrate the healing of the land and water. It was a ceremony that summoned their ancestors and the Great Creating Spirit. With drums and chant they guided all of us on their journey to the sacred earth. It was one of the most profound experiences I had while at Holden. This glimpse into an ancient culture that I knew little about opened a new world for me. Most importantly the land and to its original inhabitants.

We were invited to the Yakama Tribal Council gathering and felt it to be an honor. Peg and I wanted to bring a gift and thought it should be something from the heart, original and artistic. We wanted to share our creative gifts in response to the sacred gifts they had shared with us.

See more conversation in ART, SPIRIT and EARTH.