Thursday, April 29, 2010

Volunteer Work Day! Sunday 10AM - 2PM

Volunteer Outdoor Workday at Alma
Alma Gate Sign
Come join us for an Outdoor Work Day to beautify the land in thanks of Spring!

Sunda, May 2, 2010 10AM - 2PM

Bring your water, sunscreen, and work gloves!

Questions? Contact Maribel at almaprograms @ gmail.com

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Momma! I Love You Mother's Day Event May 9




Momma! I Love You Mother’s Day Experience

Mother’s are subject to what Mother’s Day offers. But, imagine a retreat on 22 acres of sacred land packed with activities, workshops, relaxation techniques, food, games and more for the entire family. Alma de Mujer, Northwest Austin’s own indigenous women’s compound is hosting this year’s Momma! I Love You, an interactive day of family-friendly performances, workshops, games, outdoor activities, foods and music presented by Bemba Entertainment.

Momma! Takes place at Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change, home of the Indigenous Women’s Network since 1996. Alma has provided IWN with office and program space and has operated as a non-profit meeting and retreat center where Indigenous people from the Austin community and progressive organizations could gather to re-energize and continue their work promoting social change.

Bemba Entertainment is committed to bringing our mothers and their families together to celebrate a relaxing day in their honor with proceeds going towards a good cause. This event will treat and pamper our mothers, as well as garner awareness for the Indigenous Women’s Network, Alma de Mujer Conference and Retreat Center, and the event’s benefiary, Latinitas, whose non-profit programs empower young Latinas using media and technology.

Mom's will be exposed to dozens of workshops in yoga, drumming, nature photography, empowerment, healing, publishing, capoeira, music-making and more.

Suzanna Choffel and the Djembabes will perform.
There will be on-site massage picnicking, food venders, silent auction, sports and 22 acres of hiking.

This is the greatest gift to your Momma, other than yourself.

This is an event not just for Mothers, but for Women all around the World.

Admission is $20 per vehicle

Purchase your tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/109794

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Community Outreach- 1st Annual Sacred Springs Powwow & Indian Market

1st Annual Sacred Springs Powwow & Indian Market

powwowlogo2

WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010 – 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM
WHERE
: Aquarena Center, 921 Aquarena Springs Dr., San Marcos, Texas
WHO: Featuring Keetoowah Cherokee champion dancer David Hoskins as Head Man Dancer.
COST: FREE to the Public
HOST HOTEL: San Marcos River Inn, 1433 IH-35 North, San Marcos, TX, (512) 353-7770
CONTACT: For more information contact Maria Rocha, (512) 393-3310
ATM: Automatic Teller Machine services will be available onsite at the event.
PARKING & SHUTTLE: Visitor parking located across the street from Aquarena Center entrance in Texas State Lot #9 and Shuttle will be available from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. More details, click here.

Download Map & Directions to POWWOW (PDF)
Volunteer Application
Download Press Release (PDF)

San Marcos’ sacred springs reawaken when over one hundred Native American powwow dancers and participants arrive for the much anticipated 1st Annual Sacred Springs Powwow & Indian Market, held on Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM at Aquarena Center, 921 Aquarena Springs Drive, San Marcos, Texas. The event is sponsored by a local Native American nonprofit organization, Indigenous Cultures Institute, with support from Hays County, the City of San Marcos, San Marcos Arts Commission, Texas State University, and CenturyLink.

“The Sacred Springs area is one of the oldest inhabited sites in North America and Native people believe it’s one of three creation sites where we originated,” says Dr. Mario Garza, board chair of the institute. “Over the next several years, this event – held in honor of our ancestors – will bring together hundreds of Native people not only from the United States, but from all of the Americas.” Garza refers to the institute’s plans for a heritage festival to be added to the powwow slated for 2011.

Activities will begin at 10:00 AM with a blessing at the Sacred Springs. The powwow will feature Keetoowah Cherokee champion dancer David Hoskins as Head Man Dancer, Comanche renowned traditional singer Lance Tahchawwickah as Head Southern singer, and Texas-famed Eagle Point as the Northern Drum.

A major Indian Market will be held in conjunction with the powwow, offering the largest gathering of Native American arts, crafts, and food vendors ever assembled in San Marcos. Food booths will offer the ever popular Native fry bread tacos, healthy buffalo burgers, roasted corn, turkey legs, chicken shish kabobs, and a variety of sweets like kettle corn, funnel cake, and snow cones. Arts and crafts will include a large selection ranging from Southwest jewelry, pottery, moccasins, Native dolls, stone oil lamps, breast plates and other relic replicas, to fine art paintings, weavings, and sculptures.

At 5:00 PM, Dallas Aztec dance company Cuicani In Xochitl will make a special guest appearance in honor of this first powwow. Famous for their dynamic and physically demanding dance movements and their spectacular regalia, this dance group guarantees a dazzling finale to the indigenous festivities.

Indigenous Cultures Institute organized the local Native community to provide education and information about Native Americans, particularly from this area, southern Texas, and northern Mexico. Their first major event in San Marcos, “Songs of the Seven Directions,” was held at the Aquarena Center’s Earth Day Celebration in April 2009. They have since produced several Native functions including “Eagle and Condor” dance exhibition, “Hispanic’s Indigenous Identity” lecture series, “Tracing Indigenous Ancestry” genealogy workshop, and the “Seven Directions Art Exhibit – celebrating Native American culture.”

Community Outreach- Festival Beach Community Garden Dig In, Saturday 04/17

The folks at Festival Beach Community Garden are hosting a Community Garden Volunteer Dig In! this Saturday, April 17 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Below is a copy of the volunteer press release- DIG IT!


Attention Gardeners: Get Ready to Get Dirty!


New Eastside Community Garden at Festival Beach is opening on Saturday, April 17th

Located at Waller Street & Clermont Streets, across from the park at Festival Beach.

Want to participate? We need neighbors to join us Saturday for:

ORIENTATION FOR NEW GARDENERS: 9:00 – 10:00 am
Rent your own plot and plant your garden ($30 per year, with scholarships available).

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER “WORKDAY”: 10:00 – 1:00 pm
Help us “dig-in” and establish our new garden site.

We also invite you to:
MONTHLY PLANNING MEETINGS: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
4th Wednesdays of each month at Terrazas Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.

THE NEW GARDEN WILL HAVE AVAILABLE:
¤ 80 member plots (10′ x 20′) ¤ some raised beds
¤ fruit orchard, berries & grapes ¤ herbs & nopalitos
¤ covered picnic area ¤ tool shed with tools
¤ irrigation system ¤ compost & mulch storage

For more information, contact: Kaela Champlin, (512) 567-0740 or Edie Cassell, festivalbeachgarden[at]gmail.com

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

PRFDance Performance: Taino Areyto for Kalpulli Tlalteca, April 18, 2010, 1-2pm

Saludos!

Alma de Mujer wanted to highlight a beautiful and symbolic event coming this weekend, hosted by the vibrant Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center dance troupe. We hope you can attend this special event!


Taino Areyto for Kalpulli Tlalteca, April 18, 2010, 1-2pm

The first "Puerto Rican" born on our beautiful island was a baby of a Taina mother and Spaniard father. On April 18, the Kalpulli Tlalteca of Mesoamerica will be travelling to Austin -- 14 hours -- to bring a gift of original corn harvest to the children of the Taino of Boriken. With the greatest honor and respect, we will offer an Areyto, a ceremonial dance, as a gift in return. We invite all who feel a calling, to bring their maracas and join us in this once in a lifetime event, which takes place at our Cultural Center, 701 Tillery St. Austin TX 78702. Here is the beautiful history behind it.

Around 7000 years ago, the native peoples of Mesoamerica bred the first corn they called "teozintli" from indigenous grass. Over time, corn made its pilgrimage into North America, to Florida, and from there to the Taino who called it "maisi" (maiz). The Spanish conquistadors brought the name maiz to Mexico, as corn is most commonly called today.

During this special event, the Kalpulli Tlalteca people of Mesoamerica complete a three year journey they have made to complete the circle -- and fulfill a prophesy -- in the return of the original maiz to the Taino people. With the greatest honor and respect, we the children of the Taino of Boriken will accept this gift and bring it home so that it can be planted on sacred land to "continue" the circle.



Friday, April 9, 2010

Plant Walk w/ Nicole Telkes 4/24


Nature Plant Walk
with Nicole Telkes from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine
April 24, 2010 10:30AM-12:00PM


Herbalist and Healer Nicole Telkes from the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine will lead a plant walk at Alma de Mujer. Adults and children are welcome! Please consider giving a $5 - $25 donation.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Nature Walk
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Potluck Lunch

To register, RSVP with Maribel at almaprograms @ gmail.com

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

FROM THE WEB: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller dies



Wilma Mankiller (November 18, 1945 — April 6, 2010)

Wilma Mankiller, Native feminist and former Cherokee Nation chief, has gone to the spirit world today. Here are a few article links related to her life and passing:

Breaking News: Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller Dies courtesy of the Cherokee Phoenix

Feminist Intersection: Wilma Mankiller has gone to the spirit world
courtesy of Bitch Magazine

Wilma Mankiller, first woman to lead Cherokee, dies at 64 courtesy of CNN

Volunteer Outdoor Work Day!

Volunteer Outdoor Workday at Alma
Alma Gate Sign
Come join us for an Outdoor Work Day to beautify the land in thanks of Spring!

Saturday, April 10, 2010 10AM - 2PM

Bring your water, sunscreen, and work gloves! We will also be in need of several weed wackers and other larger garden tools, so if any volunteers can bring these items, we and the land will be grateful!

Questions? Contact Maribel at almaprograms @ gmail.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Reiki Master Ines Godoy Marin now at Alma de Mujer

Reiki Master Ines Godoy Marin is now offering Reiki treatment sessions at the healing studio here at Alma de Mujer for the month of April.

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese name consisting of 2 words "rei" and "ki" meaning spiritually guided life energy (commonly known as Universal Life Energy), an energy which animates us all and is found all around us. Reiki harmonizes the body, mind and spirit by channeling the energy that surrounds us to cure the physical, emotional, and mental levels of the body. There is no belief system attached to Reiki, so anyone can receive a Reiki treatment or attunement.

Reiki:
* Promotes natural self-healing
* Balances the energies in the body
* Strengthens the immune system
* Treats symptoms and causes of illness
* Relieves pain
* Clears toxins
* Adapts to the natural needs of the receiver
* Enhances personal awareness
* Relaxes and reduces stress
* Promotes creativity
* Releases blocked and suppressed feelings
* Aids meditation and positive thinking

For an appointment, call:
Reiki Master Ines Godoy Marin
512.560.6525
imarin @ austin.rr.com