Grandmother Drum's next performance is scheduled for May 2, 3, 4 in Michigan.
GrandMother Drum Prayerformance
When Fri, May 2, 7pm – 10pm
Where Oakland County, Michigan
Host Sponsors: Center of Light - Annette Jones 248-236-0432
Conscious Mind Journal - Gail Miller 586-264-5457
www. centeroflight.us
I called and talked with Annette Jones this afternoon. It was like talking to a brick wall. I've met some bliss bunnies in my life, but this woman was really hard to listen to.
She understands why we're upset, but I was told that we need to look past the Native American rituals that White Eagle Medicine Woman uses to her message. Her message of love and peace. Her heart is pure. Ultimately this is between White Eagle Medicine Woman and Creator. This went on and on and on.
When I said Holzwarth was not Seneca, she asked how I knew this. Had I talked to White Eagle Medicine Woman? Had I seen her genealogy? The Seneca Nation doesn't claim her. Jones told me that she has Patowatomie ancestors, but didn't know about her great-grandmother until she was grown; her grandfather didn't talk about it. Tried to say the Patowatomie wouldn't have any knowledge of her. I told her they would still have record of her family. She couldn't understand that concept. Thinks because she isn't enrolled, there wouldn't be any record of her family ever being part of the Nation. Used this as an explanation for why the Seneca Nation doesn't acknowledge Holzwarth.
Every time she said White Eagle Medicine Woman, I corrected her, saying "Her name is Rachel Holzwarth. You can't give yourself a name." She asked me how I knew Holzwarth had given herself the name. Because she has no ties to any Native community. Well apparently, from what Jones told me this afternoon, she has found some to support what she's doing. They showed the Grandmother Drum DVD to an Ojibwe Elder named George, Upper Peninsula, and he feels that Holzwarth's heart is pure and in the right place. Jones' husband, Edward, has been adopted by George, the Ojibwe Elder. George had dreams about Edward and sought him out, becoming his mentor. George has trained Edward to conduct sweat lodges.
Discussed the fact that Holzwarth illegally has eagle and hawk feathers in her possession and that the Fish and Wildlife Service has been notified. Also talked about her non-profit organizations that may or may not still be up and running; possible problems with the IRS. Jones feels that those things are none of her business and has nothing to do with the performances. I told her that as a sponsor of these events, she has an ethical and moral responsibility to the people who will be attending the event, an obligation not to sponsor a criminal fraud.
We discussed the numerous events that have been cancelled since we all started protesting. She said most of those events were ones with third-party sponsors who didn't want to get in the middle of it. Sponsors who had heard from both sides and just didn't want involved. Well, whatever it takes. If we can get every third-party to back out of sponsoring one of her performances, it'll be a good thing.
The performances in Michigan are still going to happen. No third-party sponsors. Jones and her husband minister at/to the Center of Light Spirituality. She told me her husband was a minister of a non-denominational church. I had to google to find which one. She told me the people who will be attending the events that weekend are "highly spiritually evolved". They look past the boundaries of race, color, nationality, etc.
Jones asked me if I had spoken with Holzwarth personally. She gave me Holzwarth's cell phone #. Holzwarth has invited us all to call her to discuss this issue.
907-745-4636
I haven't called Holzwarth yet. I'm about twinkied out for today.
