Through out the years there have been quite a cast of characters that have blessed this Sacred Portal called Hawkwind. Some have only passed through here once, yet left a thumb print that will long be remembered. We would like to call out their names and take a moment to honor each of them.

One of the first Elders to come share lodge and bless this land was named Ron Evans. His devotion to protocol left about 30 of us sitting in the sun waiting for his workshop for over an hour before someone realized he was waiting for a tobacco offering to request his presence. We were told to just sit and see what happened as a test to see how many paid attention to the instructions. Whew, were we ever relieved when someone got it. The silence was deafening. We guarantee this fine man, no one ever waited an hour again at our house, his lesson has carried us though many a fine gateway.

Uncle Buck Ghost Horse was another who had a powerful impact on all of us who started this project. He lead a Vision Quest at Four Winds, which planted the first seeds of creation. His lodges and ceremonies offered were always quite profound and we were honored to visit him several times for ceremony at his home in Washington. He passed on last year and we will all miss him greatly. His Altar is carried forward by several fine folks who were the original Fire Crew for the many Medicine Wheel Gatherings we all served.

One of our favorite stories happened after a Medicine Wheel Gathering when Grandpa Wallace asked for a ride up to see his friend Grandma Twyla Niche, who had taken ill. Gram had been a keynote support of all previous gatherings and her tiny little frame was filled with one great big smile. I had always been enchanted by her, but had only been able to attend a few of her workshops because they always happened when I was expected to be working at the fire for the lodges. I was so hoping to get hooked up with this miraculous dear one along with the other cool girls. It did not happen in the way I had wanted, at all. When we got there, she and Grandpa talked for over an hour as if I was not even there. At some point he got up to check out some project one of the boys had going on outside. I got my private moment with this magical lady. “You got your own kind you need to come to know. You need to lighten up, these Lakota guys is too tough for you.” She chastised. “Your own kind are wai ting for you. You have a bright colored tribe that is just like all of the colors of the Medicine Wheel. You got seven important people who will be in your life to help this happen.” She then took a few minutes to describe these mystery folks with no names. Then as Grandpa returned, she nodded at me with a bit of a wink, and went right back to him, as though I had once again become wallpaper. I had a few minutes to jot down some of what she told me and wondered how on earth I was supposed to find anyone by her clues; There is one who carries the hand that heals and dances around the world with the Rainbow flying in the wind. ( Nicki Scully came into my life a couple of months later ) There is one who prayed in the POW camps of Viet Nam and found the dance of life. His lightening bolt shoots up his spine and his feet dance in pure delight. ( I found myself dancing with Don Water Hawk within the cycle of that season.) There is one who carries a song to the children and dances with fe ather light feet. ( Elsie Feathersong was at the very next camp) The Keeper of the Winged who dances with the stars. ( AmyLee has filled my every new moon, full moon and seasonal ceremony since.) The Keeper of the Green Nation of laughter and healing. ( Susun Weed has been a major player in my healing journey over and over again.) The traditional one who would teach me the sweetness of forgiveness and play with me as gentle as a kitten. ( Gram Kitty and I spent the next few seasons playing together as I learned her powerful lessons of healing and song.) The last was a clue to what I have now found in two women...The one who stands with the Wolf in the power of the Dawn Star. ( I have now found two of Grams best in Laura Morning Star Wolf of south Dakota, and also in my beloved Star Wolf of Isis Cove.) All of these were favorite students and friends of Gram Twyla, and I felt blessed that even though I didn’t get to become one of her kids, I got to play with the best of them and s till enjoy the power of her lessons. Later in our journey, I became one of her Peace Elders at Mary Thunders for several gatherings. I will always cherish what I have now come to understand was Grams magic that happened as she gave you the nod.

Uncle Basil by all means has been a whole bushel of seeds for our transformation. Not only did he lead us in Vison Quests and Dances in his South Dakota home, he lead us through the clearing the way for new partnership in bringing this vision forward to the people. He came here to lead a very powerful Healing Dance for Vets and their mates. We cherish every step he has shared with us, and the magic of his quiet ways.

Gilbert Walking Bull, another who left us last year, came here several times to lead workshops, lodges and teach traditional songs. He was a good man with much to offer the young ones he guided until his crossing. We smile when we see his pictures in our living room as he brought us bigger challenges to push our growth from visit to visit.

George Goodstricker came down from his reservation in Canada to lead the men of a grand Quest. It was a wild weekend at Hawkwind. A few of the wives had joined me in the kitchen to cook for the men. I went out to get a sense of when they might be returning for food and noted the sky was bright red with wisps of smoke above the sweat lodge. I gleefully announced to the women that the men must really bringing up some enlightened energy and perhaps we should make them a special dessert. I offered to run over to the grocery store to pick up some ice cream to go with the cake. Imagine my surprise when I drove down the road to realize the bright sky was being created by the neighbors leave fire that got loose. Aborting the ice cream run, I ran to the lodge to shake out the men to get some help before our place caught on fire. Out jumps a dozen buck naked warriors grabbing pitch forks and wool blankets, donning jeans as they ran, and screaming instructions to each other. I jumped in with the wool blankets, all of us shouting instructions to one another trying to figure out where the guy was that sat the fire in the first place. All of a sudden our very startled neighbor emerges with a water pack on his back and a beer in his hand. He had gotten involved in the football game and had forgotten his fire. He was overwhelmed with the energy of these men, and me jumping in his face about with drought, wind storms and killing the critters on Sacred ground. All he could do is sputter and drink more beer. The next week he put a lock on his gate. Meanwhile, George and Good brother Art Horn had stayed in the lodge to pray for the land, willing to fight the fire from the other side of the land ,if need be. George was on the Medicine road with us for several years after that. We shared many a fine joke in a truck stop and incredible lodges which he focused on Vets and folks in trouble with addiction. We honor George, where ever he lives today. We lost track, but heard his grea t works continue for the people in several circles today. Blessing to George.

Flying Fox Was another grand family member that we snagged from the Medicine Wheel Gathering. He was known for his art as a storyteller and his work as a special ed type teacher. He lead children’s programs all over the nation and we actually got him to come and lead a couple of kids kamps at Hawkwind. His games are still played here, and his songs still sung to the children. Last we heard he was raising his own twins somewhere up north. Blessings to him and his love for the young ones. We still sell his storytelling tapes at our trading post and send him respect for his vision.

Laura Morning Star Wolf, is another grand woman in our world. She traveled with us serving the Elders for years. She sang like and angel and blessed the old ones and young ones with equal love and devotion. She lead women’s quests for us here, along with many wonderful family healing circles. At some point she moved to South Dakota and set up a foundation which we have supported since. She has gathered supplies for the old ones, set up school programs, farming programs, medical programs and oh so much more. We are honored to call her sister and note that this is one lady who totally walked her talk and still lives it in humility and service.

Art Horn and Janie Westmoreland must also be honored. Their devotion to the Red Road and the service of Elders brought programs to Four Winds, the land trust in Atlanta and Hawkwind. They ended up settling in North Carolina, yet a big piece of the healing work that happened for us to make this place happen, happened with Art . We are grateful for his skills as a therapist, a ceremonialist and a lover of the magic.

Eva White Dessert Eagle was another first workshop provider for the women at Hawkwind. Her skills of the Shamanic journey taught us all some new insights about how to work with our inner guides in the lodge. She left wonderful blessings and creations with the Moon lodge and seeded programs for many a womens circle that spun out of our circle. Blessings to Eva.

Jan Nagy is another grand woman who made this all happen. Her own Healing center in Michigan welcomed us several times a year. Her devotion to the ancient healing ways sponsored man a fine dance that we lead as well as brought Elders together from all over the world. We send special prayers of gratitude to Jan and her guy for all they have done for us.

DJ & Hunter at Camp Ronora www.ronora.org Are two other amazing folks that have kept our act together for years. Not only did we lead gatherings and dances at their place, but we also had the honor of dancing with them at our place. Back in an extreme time of need, they helped us pay medical bills and keep our vision on track. They have been an amazing gift to the world and we wish to honor them as wisdom keepers and healers in their own right. Blessings to them and their center that provides for so many.

Last but not least, REALLY NOT LEAST, we want to honor all of the tricksters and sorcerer types who made their way through here. There have been a bunch of them. We have respected every test and have made offering to hopefully not have to have those lessons more than once. They took us into shadows, they dumped goobers, and they took on Elders or ourselves as we tested the healing waters. It’s not all been fun, some of it has been down right painful. Yet, we do endure and we honor that there must be some challenges out there as a catalyst for change. As we honor those tricksters, may we make peace with them in their world and in our own hearts. We choose not to engage in that drama in the future, yet certainly respect what the energy of the challenges brought us to resolve in our own lives and within the realms of creating a safe space for wholeness and healing.

And now we are up to 1990 at Hawkwind, and the Elders, Peace Walkers, Gypsy’s of far away places and lots of small children have added to the hundreds of amazing healing stories that have made Hawkwind what it is today.

Stay tuned......more to come

May this Peace Prevail on Earth

Rev. Charla Hermann