BOARD of DIRECTORS, STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
KELLY CLAMPITT - FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kelly “Jumping Mouse” created and founded Spirit Canoe Lodge in 2010 as a sacred space where community could gather together in their desire to “grow corn” on a personal and collective level. Kelly's passion is to inspire others to dig into their shadow, unearth the treasure within, and make their dreams a reality. Of Chickasaw mixed blood (Métis) heritage, she studied and apprenticed within the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path of Turtle Island for the last 26 years. Kelly is also an accomplished artist and award-winning professional photographer with a BFA in Fine Art Photography. Kelly's photography is shown in local galleries regularly. She is honored to caretake this land, to teach and lead ceremonies designed to support others in their desire to grow, evolve, and stand in the center of their own circle of life!
DIANNE VETTER - BOARD CHAIR
Dianne “Cougar Warrior Woman” assists Spirit Canoe Lodge with organization, program development and teaching. She is an elementary Physical Education Teacher and certified Health and Wellness Coach through Duke Integrative Medicine. The founder of Sustain Wellness Coaching LLC, Dianne helps women to gain self-knowledge, make transitions of growth, and utilize their power to create the life they desire. To help her clients gain clarity and the energy to change, Dianne’s guidance includes somatics, experiential work including medicine wheels, personal ceremonies and teachings from diverse spiritual traditions and nature. Passionate to promote the mission of Spirit Canoe Lodge with her skills and grateful for the many workshops, and ceremonies, that have supported her own healing and growth, Dianne joyfully serves. To learn more about Dianne visit: www.sustainwellnesscoaching.com
TAYLOR GABRIEL - BOARD SECRETARY
Taylor “Blue Star Light” first attended a Spirit Canoe Lodge women’s retreat in 2018 and knew immediately that she had found her tribe. “I am undoubtedly a different person after all the healing, growth and transformation I have experienced through Spirit Canoe Lodge and this path. I hope to help grow this community so more and more people can have the same opportunity, and can do so with the most loving and supportive community.” Taylor has been serving on the board since 2022. Professionally she is a mental health therapist with a private practice specializing in healing trauma. In her free time enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and anything that brings her outside.
ERICA LATIMER - BOARD TREASURER
Erica “Magikal Weasel” is a mother, massage therapist, and a fourth generation Curandera. “Curan” means to heal in Spanish. Curandismo is a healing system that addresses the physical, spiritual, psychological, and social needs of the people. Generations of family recipes and remedies energize her practice. Erica also uses many western and eastern healing modalities including Swedish Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Holy Fire Reiki, Bliss Therapy, Ayurveda Therapy, and Herbalism in her 20 years as a licensed massage therapist. She and her massage therapist husband run Wayfaring Massage & Wellness Spa in nearby Tennessee. Erica expresses her enthusiasm for Spirit Canoe Lodge by addressing its financial balance and sustainable growth.
DAVIS PARKER - BOARD OUTREACH EVENTS PROMOTION
Davis has been traveling to attend Spirit Canoe Lodge gatherings from Charlotte, NC since 2018. He is the founder and creator of Draba LLC, a mobile app that connects community minded businesses, artists, events, and culture in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Davis brings big imagination and ideas along with his experience in fundraising for non-profit organizations such as Watauga Humane Society, Farm Café, and Oasis. “I love being able to serve and help the lodge to reciprocate what it has done for my alignment, sobriety, and spiritual growth.”
FRED WHITSITT - BOARD LAND DEVELOPMENT
Fred came initially to Spirit Canoe Lodge in early 2020 as an AirBnb guest. The beauty of Ashe County, its people, and the strong feeling of community soon had him relocating to the West Jefferson/Creston area where he now has a piece of raw land & is currently busy building a tiny-cabin with friends he met through attending events at Spirit Canoe Lodge. Growing up in a small village in South Africa, with a large forest within walking distance, gave Fred a life-long passion for adventure & outdoor activities. Moving permanently to the USA in 1992, Fred partnered in a professional skydiving facility as a freefall-Instructor for close to three decades, also becoming a Commercial and aerobatic pilot along the way. Fred thrives on being part of a close-knit team of people who, by working together, create beauty and make a difference for others to enjoy.
SYBIL HARMON - VOLUNTEER AT LARGE
Sybil “Silent White Storm”, former SCL Board Chair, is a certified Qigong, Tai Chi and Meditation Instructor with over 25 years of teaching and training. “I continue to be amazed by the simple yet profound depth of Qigong and Tai Chi as self-healing practices that can bring balance in all areas of life (body, mind and spirit). As we experience the world speeding up, we are being guided to seek tools for reclaiming our energy—to live powerfully in happiness and in harmony.” Sybil’s dedication and service to Spirit Canoe Lodge has been integral to its growth. She often assists on SCL Purification Lodge fire crews and enjoys offering her gardening and culinary skills. Sybil offers her mastery of Qigong and Tai Chi at events. We always appreciate her spiritually grounded presence in the space.
Facebook: Root Harmony Healing Arts
CAROL ANNE THOMPSON - VOLUNTEER EVENT DEVELOPMENT
Carol Anne "Badger Woman" Thompson is a Holistic Health Nurse, graduate of the College of Nursing at East Carolina University. She earned her Eco-therapy Certification through the Earth Body Institute in Oakland, California and her Yoga Teacher Certification through Neighborhood Yoga, in Boone, North Carolina. Carol Anne has been a student of the Sweet Medicine Sundance Path for eight years. As an aspiring ceremonialist, she has created and facilitated expressive art workshops and ceremonies at Spirit Canoe Lodge and at Alchemy Center for Healing Therapies, where she practices Thai Foot Reflexology.
KASSIE MAURER - STAFF WEB DESIGN & VISUAL PRESENCE
Kassie "Shining Otter Woman", earned a BFA in Fashion Design and worked in the fashion industry for 25 years in California. Now in rural Michigan with her partner Rodney, she continues to design websites, graphics, and make art from her home studio, while making medicine on 3 acres of wooded land with food and flower gardens, and mossy meandering pathways. Kassie has been teaching throughout her life in various venues including at Western Michigan University, Otis College of the Arts, and in public schools, charter schools, and city recreation programs. Kassie has been a SMSD Path apprentice since 2011 and is accredited with the St. Germain Mystery School to read Akashic Records. Creating Spirit Canoe Lodge's Logo and Web presence has been a magikal way to marry her spiritual path with her art. See Kassie's art at www.kassiemaurer.com.