The 2012 Family Yearlong will be the first to have an emphasis on sparking an active children’s culture, and co-parenting of children by adults and children of all ages. As usual, the clan will provide for many of its own needs by gathering, fishing, and trapping, making bark and thatch lodges, tanning leather for clothing, drinking wild water, bringing fire to the hearth in the old way, among other important lifeway skills and traditions. Our relationship with the natural world will be further enhanced by the qualitative skills of awareness and attunement that we will be returning to and nurturing: from weather forecasting, direction finding without map or compass, wilderness preventive medicine and first aid, to truthlistening and truthspeaking, understanding the voice of our dream guidance, circle consciousness, and so much more.

In this full-year immersion, clan-members will have the chance to experience poignantly the ebb and flow of relationships: within the clan, with weather and season, with blooming and wilting wild-harvests, with the habits of the animal, fish, bird, and insect realms, and with self and dreams. The richness of these relationships – direct and raw – creates opportunity for deep healing and reconnection with the Native within. The wisdom of the circle and gentle nudges from our guides will help us along the journey. And after a full turn of the seasons, we shall return to our families, towns, and cities bearing abundant gifts to share with our communities.

If you would like more information about the school and courses offered, visit their photo gallery, or check out their free articles, go to www.teachingdrum.org.