The 18th Annual Prayer Vigil for the Earth
October 8-11, 2010
Washington, DC

Experience community                Embrace peace
Empower the next generation

The 18th Prayer Vigil for the Earth is proud to announce its partnership with Turtle Women Rising for our October 8 – 11, 2010 gathering next to the Washington Monument on 15th Street and Constitution Ave. This joint gathering replaces the originally scheduled Labor Day weekend Prayer Vigil.

The gathering focuses on co-creating a place, our peace village, where the assembled multi-faith, multi-cultural community can share harmony with self, each other, and our Earth. May Peace Prevail on Earth and may all the children of all the species for all time know respect and love.

We first met Turtle Women Rising and its founder, Eli Painted Crow, and co-founder Deborah Guerrero the week before the 2008 Prayer Vigil. They had created a four day and night peace celebration near the Washington Monument, anchored by their magnificent drum, Kiya's (Grandmother's) Heartbeat. The drum vibration is a form of healing that allows our spirits to speak to each other’s hearts. Turtle Women Rising knows that peace cannot be given; it must be created in the hearts of the living, and the drum is one vehicle for making such connections. (www.turtlewomenrising.com)

Turtle Women Rising shares an alliance and purpose with the work of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, many of whom shared their collective wisdom and ceremonies during their 2008 gathering. (www.grandmotherscouncil.com)

The Prayer Vigil community shares in their vision for speaking to each other’s hearts and holding the energy of peace. With that, we invited Turtle Women Rising to join us the following week during the 2008 Prayer Vigil. Many of you may recall drumming on their earth drum and the power that was elicited. Two of the 13 grandmothers joined us that Saturday morning with their very powerful prayers and ceremony.

We are thrilled to share and co-create the 2010 Prayer Vigil for the Earth with Turtle Women Rising and the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. Please join us for this extraordinary gathering.

Click Here for Highlights of the 2009 Prayer Vigil