All of the 2011 Native Circle Festival Performers on stage for Cherokee Amazing Grace

The success and the struggles of creating The Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival has been a tremendous and life shaping opportunity for me not only professionally but personally as well.

After the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival proved to be such a huge success, many doors began opening.  While embracing these opportunities, I found myself being pulled toward my TRUE mission and my vision for that calling started to take shape.

In relying on my expertise, education and personal experience, I knew I wanted to reach out and help others and inspire HOPE in those who felt lost.  I didn’t know how, but my passion began to spark and quickly caught fire.  From those initial sparks Know You MATTER ~ Igniting Hope Lighting the Way was born.

Know You MATTER is dedicated to bringing awareness to and to helping to prevent suicide.

Scroll down to read ALL about what has transpired in the past three months.

Or better yet, simply click here and go watch the really cool video we’ve created to launch Know You MATTER!

Know You MATTER~ Igniting Hope Lighting the Way is the culmination of everything in my life: Bright Star ProductionZ and the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival.

At the age of fifteen when I attempted suicide I never imagined where my life would have taken me, who I would become today and what gifts I had to share. I am living proof that if you reach out and allow yourself to be helped you can do, be, and have more than you ever thought possible.

While my story is important, our message is bigger and more important than one single story.  The entire team at Know You MATTER is devoted to spreading the message that each person MATTERs, that their gifts MATTER, the difference one person makes in this world MATTERs, and we want everyone to Know You MATTER.

We are dedicated to Igniting Hope and Lighting the Way for individuals, for the community, for our world.  When one person is touched, the whole world feels the effect.

The inaugural Know You MATTER ~ Igniting Hope, Lighting the Way weekend, to be held in multiple venues throughout Syracuse NY on April 13 & 14, 2012 and features an award-winning and diverse line-up of contemporary international artists:

• Friends of Emmet,
• Michael Bucher,
• Nake Nula Waun,
• Corn-Bred,
• Dylan Jenet Collins,
• Cheryl Wilkins-Mitchell & Dancers,
• and Keynote Speaker, Scott Chisholm, Founder of the Collateral Damage Project.

So many of us, including myself, are directly affected by suicide, whether as an attempter or as someone who has lost a loved one due to suicide. I know the darkness and the pain that can lead to suicide. I also know how to move beyond that darkness and through the use of my gifts I have transformed my life.

Our deepest desire is to share inspirational stories, bring the community together, and create better understanding through the connecting power of music.  To help those in pain understand that they are not alone; there is hope; and they truly MATTER.

The inaugural Know You MATTER ~ Igniting Hope Lighting the Way weekend will be more than just a benefit to raise money.

It will be a call to action.

To make the case that when over 36,000 Americans are lost each year to suicide, the whole world loses.

If you’d like to get involved in helping us put this spectacular event together, email us! We’d love to have you on-board!

Together, we can raise public awareness about suicide and its prevention by celebrating the message of Know You MATTER!

The Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival announces the release of its brand new 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD!

Click here to purchase YOUR copy today!

The 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD features:

• J.J. Kent’s Lakota Prayer
• Michael Aaron Gallagher’s Return to Your Home haiku;
• Traditional Mik’Maq songs by the Thunder Hawk Singers;
• Traditional Native American Stories by The Storytellers, Ken Quiet Hawk & Deborah New Moon Rising;
• The contemporary harmonies of Owl & Dove;
• The unbridled passion of Jonny Lipford’s Flute Outside the Box;
• Traditional Iroquois Social Dancing by the People of the Standing Stone Dancers;
• The unique sounds of Central New York’s only Native American Blues Band, Corn Bred!

And much more!

I’m thrilled to be able to showcase all these wonderful artists and am so excited to be able to share their music and stories with you on the brand new 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD! When you listen to the CD, you’ll feel like you’re at the festival all over again.

Click here to purchase YOUR copy today!

I’m also excited to announce that ALL of the artists who are on the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD have just been nominated for a 2011 Native American Music Award!!!

Here’s who has been nominated…..

Click here to cast your vote.

Corn Bred’s brand new CD Rez-Bomb has been nominated for Best Blues Recording. Corn Bred graciously donated the title track, Rez-Bomb, to the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD! Their song Jingle Dress Dancer can be heard on the 2010 Best of the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival CD.

Flute Meditations by David Searching Owl for Best New Age Recording. You’ll hear Owl & Dove’s three songs including the title track Just Blowin Smoke from their brand new CD on the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD. You can also hear the contemporary harmonies of Owl & Dove on the 2010 Best of the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival CD.

Turtle’s Race for Bear off the new CD Just for Kids by Deborah New Moon Rising of The Storytellers for Spoken Word Recording. Storytellers graciously donated this title track to the 2010 Best of the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival CD. They have also donated three of their most popular stories to the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD.

Jonny Lipford’s Breeze @ 72 Degrees has been nominated in the Native Heart category. Jonny Lipford was new to our stage this year. He brought youthful vitality and has donated three songs to our 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD.

Donald Blackfox’s Color of Hope CD, which he co-produced with Kelly Montijo Fink, has been nominated for Best Compilation.

The Color Of Hope, a compilation CD by Spirit Wind Records & Promotions, owned by Donald Blackfox of the Thunder Hawk Singers, is comprised of 18 First Nation female artists, which seeks to improve the lives of battered women, their children, and others impacted by domestic violence. 40% of the profit goes to help battered women’s shelters and programs throughout the nation. To purchase this amazing CD go to www.thecolorofhope.info.

J.J. Kent who’s Lakota prayer opened our festival and now graces the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD has been nominated for Artist of the Year!

And…..

Remember Sayani, the delightful mother and daughter duo the Native Circle brought to Syracuse this past June? Well…they have been nominated for Best Duo/Group for Breakaway. Sayani donated the track, Breakaway, to the Color of Hope Project.

And….

Joseph Firecrow, who performed for our audiences in years past, has been nominated for Song Single of the the Year.

What an incredible line-up of talented, heart-warming, gracious and successful artists the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival has gathered to its stage over the years! Maybe I’ll be able to tell you after Oct 7th that they are all bringing home a 2011 Native American Music Award.

Click here to purchase YOUR copy of the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD today!

And listen to the Nammy™ nominated artists we had at the this year’s festival.

A heart-felt and GINORMOUS CONGRATULATIONS goes out to all of the artists who have given their time and talents at the festival each year and have donated their music to this CD!

All proceeds from the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD go towards the 2012 Festival. By purchasing the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD you are helping to keep to keep the Native Circle a F*R*E*E festival.

We’ve been hard at work crafting and editing the tracks for the 2011 Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival LIVE CD.

While we’ve got six of the 15 or so tracks completed, I wanted you to hear what we’re working on for you. It’s like you’re there all over again.

Click the audio player below to hear the Welcome track.

Thanks to Tom Fazzio for recording and video-taping the whole festival for me!

The 2009 NAMMY Award-winning Thunder Hawk Singers will be performing Saturday July 9th at 2pm at the Arts Fest on the River in Downtown Fulton.

This all started with an email which was forwarded to me on an account I rarely check. Something about an Arts Festival in Fulton.

“Huh! That’s interesting. Wonder who’s putting that on,” I thought because I didn’t recognize the organization’s name nor any of the contact information.

As I scrolled down, one phrase caught my eye “ARTs in the heART ~ Discover the ART in you!”

It sounded suspiciously like Nancy Fox, a woman I worked with waaaaay back in 2006 & 2007. Sure enough there at the bottom was her contact information!

Nancy’s and my history begins in October 2006 when there was a FIRST for Oswego County. Three theater productions opened on the same night , Oct 27, in the city of Oswego—the Oswego Players’ production of “Opal’s Million Dollar Duck,” Bright Star ProductionZ “Murder At The Monster Bash,” and Nancy Fox’s Port City Theatre “In His Steps”.

Nancy and I officially met at an arts forum a few weeks later and realized we not only had the same challenges of finding actors for our shows but also the same passion…to unite the arts community and the general public.

There was something wonderful afoot with that ‘chance’ meeting at the forum. We met again soon after to brainstorm ideas for bridging the communication gap between theatre artists and the community. The thought prevailed, “We can’t be the only ones out there who want to do theatre and are having trouble finding people with which to do theatre. All we need to do is provide a vehicle for bringing everyone together.”

While I drew on my background in the Boston theatre community, Nancy vocalized her need for greater resources. After months of devising a mission statement and envisioning the ultimate resource tool we hoped to become, we launched the short-lived CNY THEATRE SOURCE in 2007.

Then life drew us apart. We sporadically kept in touch but it had been years since I’d talked to her. When I realized who the email was about, I immediately picked up the phone and called Nancy.

In an interesting turn of events, Nancy is now determined to create a CNY ARTS CENTER in Fulton in order to provide a place for the arts that can improve the quality of life for the community! A place for all ages and arts to come and work – or play!

In her desire to offer a range of artistic opportunities to meet the cultural, entertainment and recreational interests of all their arts partners right here in Central New York, Nancy decided to hold the first annual Arts Fest on the River to benefit the CNY ARTS CENTER!

She asked if the Thunder Hawk Singers would be willing to perform. Of course I said, YES!

So come join us on July 9th and support this incredible endeavor of one frustrated artist who spoke up and said “It’s time!” to many kindred spirits signing on as enthusiasm grows for an arts center in Fulton. The response has been overwhelming which proves it is indeed time!

ARTS FEST ON THE RIVER!!!
To Benefit CNY ARTS CENTER

July 9, 2011

Noon-7pm

Downtown Fulton – one block off Rte 481 – on the River!

Art Show and Sale…Talent Competition

Live Local Entertainment

Food, Fun and MORE!

Contact ArtsPartners@Ymail.com for more information.
(No that’s NOT a typo ~  it really does say Ymail.com)

Click here to visit the CNY ARTS CENTER website

NAMA award-winning Sayani warmed the audiences hearts this weekend with their passion, laughter, light, and music.

Sometimes it can be a little disconcerting bringing in a new group of performers.

Until I see them in action, there’s always questions in my mind about how they operate and will they be a good fit.

As I told the crowd on Saturday, I’ve been wanting to bring these inspirational performers up here since I first heard their music last fall. I felt a sense of love emanating through their music which I wanted them to share with you.

The timing just wasn’t right for them to appear at the Native Circle as they had already booked performances in Connecticut for the week after the festival. So, when Donald Blackfox asked me to help him bring them up here, I jumped at the chance.

And I’m so glad I did!

When I went to greet them in my driveway on Friday night, I was quickly enveloped in hugs. Even though they’d been on the road all day, they both had sparkles in their eyes and laughter on their lips. We immediately fell into easy conversation that lasted throughout the weekend.

At the Museum, we ended up moving the performance into the Chapel because of the threatening skyes. While it never did do anything more than a few sprinkles, it was an interesting space to perform in.

Many familiar faces were in the crowd that day. The Liverpool Boy Scout Troop helped us load in all of our sound equipment, and John Anderson started the concert off with an Iroquois prayer and talk about the history of the Museum.

I was deeply honored when Jorie and Christie asked me to perform a couple of songs with them.

They had never heard the song I sing called Neesa, a crowd favorite at the festival. They were so taken by it that when they got up to do their second set they asked me to sing it one more time, this time harmonizing with me. An exceptional experience for me!

They also close their shows with Cherokee Amazing Grace. When we discovered we close our shows they same way they offered to sing it with me, a Capella.

I have to admit our dress rehearsal was much better than our actual performance because I was having trouble hearing the background music. I should just stuck to a Capella that afternoon. Yet, I still got goose bumps with the harmonies they added to such a powerful song.

I gotta say….Jorie & Christie West are PRO’s!

It was an honor to have Sayani’s Jorie & Christie West here this weekend. And I’m glad I trusted my gut and brought them here to Central New York.

Let them know what you thought by leaving a comment below.

The Native Circle hosts another Native American Music Award Winner on June 25, 2011 from 2-4pm at Sainte Marie among the Iroquois, Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool NY.

Sayani's Christie & Jorie West

Native Circle Hosts Sayani, Jorie & Christie West, winners of the 2010 Native American Music Award (NAMMY™) for Best Gospel / Inspirational Recording, includes Syracuse on their debut East Coast Tour.

Just weeks ago the Native Circle hosted 5 NAMMY™ nominated and award-winning artists at 4th Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival. A thousand people came to experience the talented, inspiring Native American artists the festival brings to their stage, and together create unity through the celebration of our diversity.

There were ten hours of award-winning Native American performances, storytelling, and presentations all while remaining free to the public. This celebration was enjoyed by all, from our youngest attendee who was six days old to our oldest who was 92. Over 20 vendors were on hand selling a wide variety of handmade items and the dozen volunteers all worked to ensure the weekend run smoothly.

Due to the success of the 4th Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival, Laura K. Vannah, founding Executive Director, was asked by Donald Blackfox, CEO of Spirit Wind Records and Promotions and founder of the Thunder Hawk Singers, to bring Sayani to Central New York during their debut East Coast Tour.

Sayani’s Jorie and Christie West are known for their unique blend of rich, beautiful harmonies. After working for many years as studio musicians and backup vocalists on the mainland and in Hawaii, the award-winning mother and daughter duo began singing together as Sayani (Cherokee word meaning Zion).

Sayani is the Native American arm of the Aloha Ke Akua Ministries, a ministry of Indigenous peoples all over the world. While living in Hawaii the Wests sang with the Hawaiian group Na Kahu and sang back up vocals on various albums throughout the state. They have travelled as Ambassadors of the Aloha Spirit to Australia, New Zealand, and the West Coast of Mainland USA. In August of 2006 they moved to Texas to begin their fulltime ministry.

Sayani won the 2010 Native American Music Award for Best Gospel/Inspiration Recording for their album, Sacred Fire. In 2010, they also released Break Away, the new single written specifically for the compilation CD The Color of Hope, a project by Spirit Wind Records & Promotions to help women who are victims of domestic violence.

Sayani joined 21 Native American artists and Spirit Wind Records & Promotions on the 2009 compilation CD Rise Up: Music from Native America to benefit the homeless by providing support to homeless shelters. In 2007 Indian Summer Awards nominated Sayani’s Na Kahu II Album Call to the Nations. They won the 2005 Indian Summer Awards Winner for Best Spiritual Album with their Aloha Ke Akua album,Na Kahu. In 2004  Nvda Sunalei was nominated for the Indian Summer Music Awards in both Country and Religious Album categories. They received seven nominations for the Hawaiian Hoku Awards. And in 2003 Nvda Sunalei, Sayani’s debut album, received five nominations for the Native American Music Awards.

Jorie and Christie (Sayani) have been a part of our work here in New Mexico with the Navajo People for around 8 years. Their unique style of music is inspirational. The message woven into their music will challenge you to a deeper walk with Jesus and, at the same time, give you great insight into the heart of indigenous people worldwide. – Duane Bristow, Pastor, 1st Nations Gathering; Exec. Dir. Navajo BIC Mission

Sayani is a remarkable combination of exquisite musicianship and creative writing that touches the souls of people of faith. Drawing on imagery familiar to Native Americans and people of awareness, Sayani challenges as well as informs in a unique verbal and musical way that is unforgettable. ~ Rev. Jon Walters, Pastor/Executive Director
Mississippi United Methodist Choctaw Mission (Since 1827)

The 2009 NAMMY™ Award-winning Thunder Hawk Singers will open for Sayani.

With the dedication of the Native Circle to embrace diversity and spread the message of unity CNY is rapidly becoming a must stop in the NAMMY™ community.

Tickets are $5 per person or $15 per family and can be purchased by calling 315-453-6767.

The celebration of diversity through the universal language of music promotes the uniqueness of one’s self and one’s culture while cultivating the unity our diversity brings to our community.

Come join us on June 25 from 2-4pm for an afternoon of music!

The 4th Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival was an amazing jam-packed weekend of award-winning Native American music, storytelling, interactive cultural education, children’s activities and more!

Michael Aaron Gallagher opened the festival on Saturday by sharing his Syracuse Poster Project haiku.

To purchase a copy of this poster visit www.posterproject.org

These words are not my own. They are ours. They are a message of hope and celebration. They are a reminder of our heritage and they represent the promise of new traditions that will become our legacy. Today, as each of us touches the earth, remember your homeland, celebrate your diversity, and together we will build a better tomorrow, for us all.

~ Michael Aaron Gallagher

It was a perfect way to kick things off and set the tone for the weekend by so accurately and passionately modeling the festival’s message of unity through diversity.

Not only has our festival survived the economic downturn, we expanded our platform and brought in numerous award-winning Native American Artists from across the country.

Even the weather cooperated when every sign said it wasn’t going to! It stopped raining Saturday morning and didn’t start again until 7pm Sunday night. We even had breaks of sunshine throughout the weekend.

A thousand people, some from as from as far away as Columbus Ohio, Stoughton Massachusetts, New Smyrna Beach Florida, and Southern Ontario, came to experience the talented inspiring Native American artists we bring to our stage.

Saturday's crowd enjoying Corn-Bred

Mexico Point Park was filled to overflowing and, for the first time in five years, we had parking problems. That’s what Morgan and I get for setting such a strong intention. Cars were lined up along Mexico Point Drive for at least a half mile with every spare spot filled repeatedly throughout the weekend.

I was more afraid we were going to be rained out than I was about parking issues. A ginormous, heartfelt “thank you” goes out to our four parking attendants: Clark Stan, Patrick Manion, Brian Goldblatt, and Bill Symmons. You guys kept it ALL under control!

It was great to be able to introduce you to newcomer Jonny Lipford and bring back all the past favorites including Owl & Dove, The Storytellers, and The Thunder Hawk Singers.

CornBred delighted the audience for their third year in a row. 20 vendors were on hand selling a wide variety of items like bead and stone work quadrupling the number from last year.

What a life changing event. The response to the Reiki healing was huge. I am so excited!! It was a gift to us to be able to ‘give back’. ~ Mary Gillen, Owner, Gentle Reiki for People and Animals & 2011 Presenter

People of the Standing Stone Dancers from the Oneida Nation ~ Photo Courtesy of Scott Thomas Photography

The People of the Standing Stone Dancers, from the Oneida Nation, not only taught the crowd some of their traditional dancing, but they were actively passing on the tradition to the next generation as three generations gathered on stage to share their culture with the public.

Richard and Leslie LaCrosse’s Native American pre-contact campsite complete with wigwam and Native garb of that era were again a big hit; and Nancy Kaiser again presented her multi-media Wild Spring Edibles demonstration.

In the past five months not only were we able to run our largest campaign to date, but we also garnered the attention and promotional support from numerous media partners.

I’ll have all the links, interviews, and videos on a new Media Page this week just in case you missed them the first time around.

• The May edition of Today’s CNY Woman magazine ran an article, written by Associate Editor, Michael Aaron Gallagher, about the Festival.
• Thanks to Mike Ameigh, GM of WRVO, Dave Bullard and Kate Perceval, WRVO interviewed me and then aired the interview on all nine of its regional satellite stations.
• CKONFM in Akwesasne Mohawk Nation ran promotional spots throughout the month of May.
• Corn-Bred and I were on WSYR Channel 9’s Bridge Street program on May 24th promoting the festival which numerous individuals said led them to attend.
• Oswego County Department of Planning and Tourism ran a series of Press Releases about the festival throughout the month of May which were picked up by numerous media outlets.
• The Post Standard’s Debbie Groom wrote a feature article the Sunday before the festival while Mark Bialczak repeatedly promoted the festival through his blog and Best Bets videos.
• Kathy Rowe of y94fm took it upon herself to help us by creating and delivering PSA’s for two weeks prior.

Without their help and promotion, there’s no way we would have had 1000 people in attendance over the weekend. AND in the week leading up to and during the festival the website got 1,988 hits!

We even got live coverage of Saturday’s festivities! (GO MORGAN!)

I was talking to a vendor when Morgan came up to me and said, ” Excuse me Laura, I hate to interrupt, but YNN is here and needs an interview.” ( GLUP… “OK.” I told her)

http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/545037/the-native-circle–touch-the-earth-festival-draws-in-the-crowds/

I was joined this year by Michelle Johnson to conclude each day of the festival with Cherokee Amazing Grace. Michelle graced the stage with her American Sign Language Dance Interpretation and added her “voice” to the closing.

Thank You!!! Thank you for letting me be a small part of an extraordinary weekend! ~ Michelle Johnson

Because of this addition, we were able to bring a brand new demographic to the festival, the deaf community of Central New York. I was honored that a few attended for the whole day on Saturday.

Just before Michelle and I were to perform on Saturday, I was informed that John Sardella of Gypsy Red had had a heart attack and was in hospital fighting for his life.

All the 2011 Native Circle Festival Performers on stage for Cherokee Amazing Grace

With sadness and shock, all of the performers joined us on stage to lend their hearts and voices in prayer. As we were performing, Curtis Waterman of Corn-Bred stepped up to one of the microphones and added his harmonica to what was already a powerful and emotional closing to Saturday’s events.

Laura, thanks again for having Corn-bred at your event. We are getting more relaxed with the crowd which lets us have more fun with them. It was a shock to hear John Sardella was sick. That’s why I added my harp to the prayer we did for him, tried to give my thoughts through my sound. Thanks again.

~ Curtis Waterman

Cherie, John’s wife, showed up at the festival late Sunday afternoon. She said she needed the break from the hospital and had heard about our prayers for John. She informed me that he was finally stable although not out of the woods.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

It certainly was a year of many ‘firsts’ for this festival. I am so honored and grateful for all the support the festival has been blessed with this year.

To all of our generous sponsors – THANK YOU!

Oswego County Federal Credit Union, Town of Mexico, Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning, All Seasons Inn, Mitchell Printing, Dynegy Inc. – Independence Station, Greater Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Margaret Clerkin of the Pulaski Chamber, Price Chopper Supermarkets, Wegmans, Stewarts Shops, Oswego Valley Insurance Agency, Oswego County Mutual Insurance Co., Burritt Motors, Port Lodge Motel, KeyBank, Oswego Arts Collaborative, PathFinder Bank, Daddy Ed’s Restaurant, Mexicali Rose, Performance Uniforms, Grist Mill Restaurant, Yellow Rose Campground, Steve’s Body Shop, Eastern Shore Associates, Computer Accounting Services, The Bake Shop Eatery, Gentle Reiki for People & Animals, Send-Out-Cards, Brophy Services Inc., and numerous individuals.

Promotional support was provided by Oswego County Tourism, Today’s CNY Woman Magazine, WRVO, 9WSYR’s Bridge Street, y94fm, YNN, CKONfm, The Post Standard, PallTimes, NorthCountry Radio, Oswego County Today, ValleyNews, and ILoveNY.

To all of our volunteers – YOU ROCK!

Parking Attendants: Clark Stan, Patrick Manion, Brian Goldblatt, & Bill Symons

Welcome Booth: Jim & Brenda Hotchkiss, Jack & Allie Proud, Don Goodness, Jeannie West and her children

Native Circle Booth: Linda Goodness and Elizabeth Manion

Videographer: Tom Fazzio

Emcee: Devin Hedderig

Children’s Area: Cindy Hedderig

To the Friends of Mexico Point Park

- none of this would be possible without your gracious donation of such a spectacular venue!

To my friend and “partner in crime”, Morgan Kerr

- no words can describe what you’ve done to help me and this festival grow. I swear I’m adding ones and commas to those zeros!!!!! We really are the “Dynamic Duo”!

And of course a GARGANTUAN thank you to ALL of the performers and presenters!!! What an honor it is to have you at the festival.

There are pictures and a great video (thanks Morgan) on the Facebook page. So make sure you “Like” the Native Circle Facebook page and “Follow” the Native Circle on Twitter

We’ll have the LIVE CD and DVD ready for you shortly. Click here if you want to make sure you get your copy now.

If you have photos you’d like us to post, just email us.

I’d LOVE to hear what you thought about the festival. Post a comment below or  Send us a “Rave Review”. I’ll be sure to personally respond to all of them.

Lastly, thank YOU! I hope you came away from this festival with a deeper appreciation of the diversity of Native American Arts & Culture, a deeper connection to yourself and others, and a shared understanding of our collective roots.

Not to mention having a heck-of-a-good time!

Here’s just a quick video of some of the incredible performers and presenters that were at this year’s Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival.

These are some of The People of the Standing Stone Iroquois Social Dancers from the Oneida Nation. Not only were they teaching the crowd some of their traditional dancing, but they were actively passing on the tradition to the next generation. Three generations gathered to share their culture.

We’ll have more videos and photos online as the week goes on.

A GINORMOUS thank you to all the performers, presenters, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors!

If you haven’t signed up for the weekly newsletter Sacred Connections, simply enter your name and email address in the box at the top of the page. You’ll be the first to get all the news and updates.

Be sure to leave a comment about this year’s festival below.

That’s right folks. The 4th Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival, which is FREE to the public, will go on rain or shine.

I have it on good authority that there’s a chance of rain this weekend. Hey, this is Central New York, the weather could change at a moment’s notice. But we’ve got you covered.

We’re putting up a huge tent for you to stay nice and toasty dry while enjoying all the performers and presenters we’ve got coming! Bring chairs to kick back in or a blanket to cozy up with.

Here’s a quick glance at the Admission Free Festival.

Click here for a complete schedule of events.

Look what we have in store for you at the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival’s Inaugural Kick-Off Gala!

Felipe Rose of The Village People and Janice Marie of Taste of Honey took time out of their busy performing schedules to videotape endorsements of and for the Native Circle Touch the Earth Festival.

You will only be able to see more video endorsements like this one at the Inaugural Kick-Off Gala!  Get Your Tickets Now!

And that’s not all we have in store for you.

We’ve got over a dozen exciting items for the Silent Auction including gift certificates from Mexicali Rose, The Bake Shop Eatery, a FREE massage, a FREE Reiki session, a gorgeous Shaman’s Walking Stick, a “Belt Bag” from JJ’s Creative Gifts, and more!

A delicious meal provided by The Bake Shop Eatery.

We may even be able to convince some of the artists to perform.

Help showcase local artistic talent and thank our generous supporters and our gracious hosts on the picturesque shoreline of Mexico Point Park while supporting the Native Circle’s efforts to continue to bring a quality admission-free festival to YOU!

Get your tickets here

Join us as we celebrate and kick-off another GREAT festival.