May Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Alma de Mujer is preparing for the Summer months both on and around the land and through our programming. We are excited to celebrate our volunteers and all the community members who have contributed so much to Alma de Mujer in the past few months. And we hope that we'll see you out here soon!

Momma! I Love You
May 10, 2009 - 11am - 6pm

Bemba Productions is hosting a Mother's Day picnic and celebration featuring artists: Sarah Temple, Tameca Jones Quartet, Blues Mafia, Azul. We'll also have salsa classes, guitar lessons, on-site massage and activities for children. Bring a blanket, and your whole family to celebrate our mothers!

$15 - 18 and up
$7 - for ages 8 - 17

All proceeds benefit Alma de Mujer.




Medicine Gardens
Sustaining Communities through Medicina

Alma de Mujer is working hard to finalize our on site Medicine Wheel Garden. We're also out in the community building Medicine Gardens with our sisters and brothers in the Austin community. We've built gardens at Resistencia Bookstore, at Monkey Wrench Bookstore and at People in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER). In building the Gardens, community members learn how to build a square foot garden box, how to plant, and about the medicinal qualities of the plants they are working with.

If you'd like to build a Medicine Garden in your community, contact Alma de Mujer at programs@indigenouswomen.org



The Young Girls Leadership Camp
June 1 - 5 & 8 - 12, 2009

The Young Girls Leadership Camp provides a well-rounded arts & culture based approach to leadership development. For nine days, girls will learn about traditional Native cultural expressions, environmental stewardship, leadership, community building, and healthy personal relationships. The Young Girls Leadership Camp is co-sponsored by Lifeworks.

Girls will work with skilled artists, educators and adult mentors who will provide a range of activities at Alma aimed to bring out the best in each girl.

Dates for the 2009 Young Girls Leadership Camp are:

· June 8 - 12, 2009
· June 15 -19, 2009

Registration deadline is May 25, 2009. This camp is FREE.

To register, contact programs@indigenouswomen.org


Environmental Education Camps
July 2009

The Environmental Learning Camp is designed to provide youth ages 14 - 17 with a solid training in Environmental Stewardship based on Native American approaches to land stewardship and values grounded in an understanding of the four directions, four elements, and the inter-dependence with all creatures. As youth from an urban setting, the camp is designed to provide participants with tools for individual and community leadership in environmental stewardship that can be applied with their families, in their neighborhoods, schools and local contexts.

There are two week-long (Monday through Saturday) summer sessions in July. Each day consists of six hours of workshops, 1-3 hours each. Over the course of the camp, youth will learn about: Land Conservation, Water Conservation, Fundamentals of Clean Air, Nutrition & Food Preparation, Small Scale Agriculture, proper handling of the Four Elements, Healthy Communication and Community Leadership.

The dates for the 2009 Summer Camps are:

July 13 - July 18, 2009

July 20 - July 25, 2009

The camp cost is $120.00 per child and includes materials, lunch and snacks.

To register, contact programs@indigenouswomen.org

THANK YOU!!!

A huge THANK YOU to the amazing businesses that have gifted donations to Alma de Mujer's Medicine Wheel Garden, including: The Natural Gardener, It's About Thyme and Nature's Treasures.

These businesses have donated soil, plants and precious stones to help strengthen the Medicine Wheel Garden for all of our communities, making this an extra-special endeavor.

AND - a tremendous THANK YOU to Doris Green and Alicia Botello. Doris designed the Medicine Wheel Garden and has donated many plants from her wonderful home garden. Alicia made the mosaic stepping stones, like the one featured here.

Much love to all!

Volunteer at Alma!

Alma de Mujer hosts monthly Days of Service. Our upcoming Days of Service are:

May 9, 2pm - 4pm
June 6, 10am - 2pm



Become a Friend of Alma de Mujer

To become a friend, visit our page on the Indigenous Women's Network website: http://indigenouswomen.org/General/Donate.html


Thanks for supporting Alma de Mujer and our communities.

Support Alma de Mujer and our Sister Organizations:

People in Defense of Earth & Her Resources (PODER)
poder-tx.org

Resistencia Bookstore/RedSalmon Arts
www.resistenciabooks.com

Kalpulli Teokalli Teoyolotl
kalpulliaustin.blogspot.com

Book Alma Today!	Alma de Mujer is available for your group or nonprofit organization meeting, retreat or workshop. We offer non-profit friendly rates, lodging and catering options. To find out more, contact Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist.
Contact: Courtney Enriquez, Booking Specialist: 512.258.1858