Welcoming Transitions
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Spirit Canoe Lodge Newsletter! In order to better serve the interests of our participants/readers, we have created a platform to keep everyone informed of our ever-expanding calendar of events and news. Our next events are the Fall Equinox Community Purification Lodge, Sept 21, and a Community Work Weekend, Sept 21-22. Please see below to RSVP.
Spirit Canoe Lodge is now a Non-Profit Organization
Beginning a project or dream is often the hardest part, but our initial creative vision has been set. Spirit Canoe Lodge is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization and we have an official Board of Directors! Thank you to the new Board of Directors for saying yes to my dream and helping get it off the ground: Micki Nyman, Christian Lannie, Courtney Stiles, Sybil Harmon, and Brook Walker. The “Charitable Contribution License” has also been approved and you are now able to make tax-deductible donations! I also offer heartfelt thanks to Kassie Shining Otter Woman for updating our logo and Sybil for giving our newsletter a fresh new look!
I look forward to the pleasure of your company,
Kelly Jumping Mouse
Our Mission
To provide space in nature for those who seek self-development and mastery of life.
Our Vision
A self-sustaining community that nurtures the human spirit and brings balance into the world for generations.
The How
To create sound economic footing and to maintain what is already in place, we will:
• Develop structures of financial support via fundraising, grants and personal endowments
• Create new streams of income through organic farming and forestry products, and increasing retreat rentals
• Develop a volunteer network, workaways, interns, and Community Work Weekends to extend membership
• Build additional ceremonial gathering spaces, map out walking trails, and establish camping areas
• Create a community mentorship and training program to ensure the mission of Spirit Canoe Lodge continues forward.
Key Projects for 2019-2020
· Create an Eagle Dance Arbor by hiring a crew to clear several trees and level the land; (What is an Eagle Dance? The Eagle Dance ceremony takes place in one day. A pow-wow drum beats the entire day to mirror the heartbeat of Grandmother Earth. Participants dance their prayers to the center tree of life within the circular Eagle Dance Arbor from sunrise to sunset.)
· Phase one of planning and planting forest herbs this Fall
· The formation of small committees to get our “HOW” started
· Clean up old logging roads and identify trails
· Level spaces for new camping sites
· Remove the old barn
We Need Your Help and Expertise
By lending a hand or making a tax-deductible donation, you can make a big difference. As things get rolling, we need help in specific areas: community outreach and marketing, non-profit grant writing, fund raising, accounting, and more. Does anyone have Twitter skills and want to tweet for the Lodge? If you have any of these skill sets and are willing to be part of manifesting the Spirit Canoe Lodge dream, please email Kelly. We will be planting medicinal herbs on the land this Fall, and there are many other tasks to help ready the lodge for winter. Our next Community Work Weekend will be during the Fall Equinox September 21. Please consider joining us or email Kelly a time you can help.
Spirit Canoe Lodge has a new caretaker!
Please join me in welcoming Ronnie Simmons as our new caretaker! Ronnie is originally from Texas and has recently done workaways in Colorado and Mexico. Through serendipitous timing—Ronnie’s meeting Sybil in Mexico and my prayers of intending over the last year—I now have the extra help I have needed. With expertise Ronnie prepares the guest rooms for AIRBNB and lodge events. Plus, Ronnie’s passion has transformed the vegetable garden into the more productive crop we are now enjoying! I am very grateful to have found such an earnest and warm person like Ronnie to assist me at the Lodge.
Rent Spirit Canoe Lodge for your retreat!
Please consider using Spirit Canoe Lodge (SCL) for your private workshops and trainings. When you rent SCL, you enjoy acres of privacy in a beautiful part of the Blue Ridge, a spacious and unique home, and a spectacular view of Three Top Mountain. Your event is widely promoted on SCL's website, FB page, and MeetUp site. In addition, your event is included in our newsletter reaching well-over 500 contacts. Best of all, your rental supports this beautiful land, facility, and our vision of nurturing the human spirit.