Angaangaq Lyberth

[educatedindian]

I received some concerned inquiries about Angaangaq Lyberth. One of the inquiries asked about any ties to Wisdom Keepers.

I believe he is Inuit, and very likely not only has at least some ancestry but also some traditional knowledge. For example, he seems to be accepted by at least some within the Inuit community for his work with abuse victims.
http://www.pauktuutit.ca/nuluaq/agency.asp?id=1069&com=1064&ser=
 
However, the workshops he advertises would be considered wrong and unethical by most Native people. Much of what he promotes as Inuit is also heavily mixed with pop psychology.
 
The organizations he has worked with are mixed. Some are very dubious, but some are quite acclaimed and deservedly well respected.
 
"World Council of Elders"- a number of New Age groups claim that name. I do not know of any legitimate group of indigenous elders going by that designation.
 
"Four Worlds Internat'l Institute"- holds alternative healing conferences. I recognize one of the names at their conferences as a fraud calling himself Sequoyah Trueblood. They sell a number of rather ludicrous New Agey products, such as "Ancient Native American Healing Shampoo and Conditioner."

Lyberth also mentions an association with Credo Mutwa, an outright fraud who poses as a Zulu healer who also collaborated with the South African gov't when it was still under Apartheid.
 
Omega Institute sponsors many New Age and alternative medicine types.
 
Probably the best known people he's associated with are Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama, whom he does seem to have actually met, but not much more.
 
The World Commission on Global Consciousness includes Lyberth and both of the two above, as well as Bishop Tutu and Al Gore.
 
There are reports (still under investigation at this point) Lyberth has done harm to people, and I was hoping some of us knew people in the Inuit communities, or in the communities where Lyberth has been reported to have done harm, in New England.

[Julia]

I came across this gentleman's name in a list of "Wisdom-Keepers":

http://www.soulcompanions.org/index.php?pr=Wisdom-Keepers

The other "wisdom" (ie New Age nuttiness) keepers" are a motley crew and include a young man whom I believe to be either seriously deluded or a con man, Gary Mannion (www.badpsychicsgarymannion.co.uk).

Google turns up loads of references to Uncle Angaangaq but most of them are also very New Agey.  Does anyone here have any information about him?

[Moma_porcupine]

I don't know anything that doesn't come up in a google search , but there is a few things here that make me wonder, but as I know next to nothing about the Greenland Inuit it's hard to say how his own people see what he is doing ...

http://www.icewisdom.com/angaangaq/

AngaangakAngaangaq is an Eskimo-Kalaallit Elder whose family belongs to the traditional healers of the Far North from Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland. His name means “the man who looks like his uncle???.

Uncle, as he is frequently called, bridges the boundaries of cultures and faiths in people young and old. His work has taken him to five continents and over 40 countries around the world including South Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Arctic Europe, Russia, and Siberia.

As a traditional healer, storyteller and carrier of a Qilaut (drum), he conducts Healing Circles, Intensives and sweat lodges integrating the wisdom of traditional Inuit teachings from the unwritten healing traditions of the Eskimo-Kalaallit people.

(con...)

I guess I am wondering if the Greenland Inuit had a Sweat lodge ceremony? Maybe this is really dumb, but it seems like firewood would be a precious commodity up there. Is there enough firewood in Greenland for people there to traditionally use a Sweat Lodge ceremony? And then there is this ;
 
http://www.icewisdom.com/programs/

WisdomKeepers Program – The Tip of the Iceberg

IceburgWhether you’re called to your path as a healer, a sage, or for personal empowerment, this in-depth 3-year program continues the teachings first introduced in our Intensive Workshops.

The program is for committed students only. As a prerequisite to being accepted into the Wisdomkeeper Program, you must first have attended an Intensive Workshop.

We offer an unparalleled opportunity to study the ancient practices, healing traditions and ceremonies of various native cultures blended with the Eskimo-Kalaallit culture that are rooted in traditions thousands of years old and can only be passed on by an Elder.

The program offers a unique opportunity to study practical approaches to attune your body, mind and spirit to awaken and honor the inherent abilities and gifts that were given to you by the Great One, furthering a deeper connection to your spiritual path on which you started long ago.

You will learn to embrace an intuitive understanding of yourself and others through differentiating the subtleties of energy. You will become skilled at facilitating traditional ceremonies, energetic exercises, and building and holding a sweat lodge.

(con...)

So it sounds like this isn't really traditional Inuit ceremonies and that it is this guys  own idea of a "blended version" of ceremonies which he is teaching,  and it looks like people  are charged to be taught.  As can be seen below, these so called traditional Spiritual teachings are for sale. 

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/published.php?action=view&newsletter_id=1409580063

Uncle Angaangaq is the last of his line, the Inuit people, who are daily losing their homes to the great melting of the ice--global warming. He is a unique human being and a perfect messenger, dispensing a message of wisdom and warmth of his ancient tradition. Uncle Angaangaq was invited to meet and speak with leaders at the UN, the Dalai Lama and with the Pope. He has just been initiated Shaman by his own people...the first in 200 years since Christianity wiped out the tradition. He brings it back beautifully and forcefully with a clear environmental and spiritual message to us all.

So how was he intitiated into a cultural tradition by his own people if they lost this tradition 200 years ago ?

The article continues below;

Thursday, October 12 – Teaching from the North - 7-9:30 - $40

Friday, October 13 – Guest with the NYSC Open circle 7:15-9:30- Free

Saturday & Sunday, October 14-15 – Workshop ($250)
Saturday 9:00 - 3 / Sunday 9:00 - 12 noon (Register with a friend and get $50 off each)

Saturday, October 14th – Healing circle - 4-7pm - $125

Sunday, Oct. 15th – 8th Annual Shamanic Gathering in Central Park, 1-6 – Free Uncle is the NYSC guset with other shamans.
At the Great Hill, Central Park, between West 103 & 106 Sts.
Please bring food for pot luck, blanket, drum, ratlles and any litrature to want to share with our community. (Ceremonies start at 2pm)
Children are welcome!!! No Raindate. Rain or Shine.

Special Sun Rise Ceremonies - Sat & Sun 6:30am at Washington Sq. - Free

Looks like he is selling these so called traditional ceremonies all over the place.

http://sandiego.backpage.com/gyrobase/classifieds/ResultsCoupon?category=634194&layout=detailed&page=2

Save $75 Intensive with Angaangaq expires May 1
Oct.3-Nov.2 Experience the magic of Angaangaq, an Eskimo Elder and Shaman from the Arctic. We are stil walking in wonder from his last Intensive. Share amazing transformative healing. $325 w/coupon Offer expires August 31, 2008. Expiration dates are renewed the last week of each month.

Tierra Sagrada The Sacred Earth Foundation
Begin the first day with sunrise service, experience the power of his wind drum, healing ceremonies, song, participate in creating a sweatlodge and abiding there on the final evening.Feast to follow.

[educatedindian]

Also mentioned here as causing a woman's death.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=627.0

[Kevin]

- transformative healing, an Eskimo elder doing a sweat - who wouldn't pay $325.oo??? This is almost as good as that ancient native american shampoo mentioned some where in the preceding posts. LOL

[earthw7]

It a wonder so many people get taken in by lies
I just have to shake my head

[Barnaby_McEwan]

Also mentioned here as causing a woman's death.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=627.0

The woman was called Nicole Waring. Her daughters were called Grace and Dakota.

http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/press/press_070708_brattleboro.html

I can find nothing about her attending any sweatlodge.

Alraune, the poster who alleged that Lyberth is connected with their deaths, uses the same email address as Annabel Lee, a völkisch-racist musician who has translated the works of Italian fascist guru Julius Evola. Clearly the words of someone with such bad judgment should be viewed with suspicion.

Alraune/Lee is now banned. Racists are not welcome here.

[Ingeborg]

I recommend to move this thread to the fraud section: Lyberth is not only selling seminars, healing sessions etc, he is selling ceremonies. These ceremonies are not Inuit, but ndn: sweatlodge and vision quest.


Part I



Meanwhile, Lyberth has taken on the name of Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq on his website, and this name is also used by several sites promoting him and his workshops and seminars. „Angakkorsuaq“ is supposed to translate as „great shaman“.

But perhaps we should start off with who the great shame-on really is. His real-life name is Jens Lyberth, he was born in Greenland. In 1975, he migrated to Canada, where he still lives.

There is diverging information regarding his date of birth: either 1949, 1948, or 1947. His publishers say he was born 1949:

http://www.randomhouse.de/author/author.jsp?per=390571

Here is a curriculum vitae for Lyberth dating back to 1978 when he took a position in Canada:
http://www.ebenhopson.com/album/index.htm

There is a photo of Lyberth from 1978, too:
http://www.ebenhopson.com/album/10.jpg


Despite his claims of having been born into a family of traditional healers, Lyberth is a member of the Bahai religion. This site lists members in Canada, and there is a photo of member Angaangaq Lyberth and wife from Ottawa:
http://skyriver.ca/bahai/bnorth/canada/bcanada.htm




Lyberth's website, www.icewisdom.com , is available in several languages: English, French, German, and Portuguese; the Dutch and Greenland Inuit versions are not available. There are interesting differences between the English version and the others:

First the English language version:

http://www.icewisdom.com/angaangaq/

Angaangaq is a keynote speaker at international conferences on climate change, environmental and indigenous issues, and he participates in peace and spiritual vigils with the United Nations, speaking on panels for the United Nation Environmental Protection Agency, the Panel on Religion and Spirituality, and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, as well as the Panel for UNESCO's Oceans, Fishers and Hunters. He is associated with the United Religions Initiative in alliance with the United Nations, the Club of Budapest International, The Masters Group, the Earth Restorations Corps, and serves on the special advisory council to the Jane Goodall Institute.
Angaangaq’s work is acclaimed in promoting interracial and intercultural harmony.

The others mention far more details about which organizations allegedly list Lyberth as a member, elder etc:

Angaangaq is known internationally with indigenous communities in North and South America, Europe, and the circumpolar Arctic and honored as an elder. He is also held in high esteem as an Elder of the Four Worlds International Institute for Human and Community Development, of the American Indian Institute Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth and of the World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality. He often works as a liaison to indigenous peoples. He also is an Elder for the Aboriginal Justice Learning Network, Justice Canada, and Elder Advisor for the Board of Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution.

He speaks at international conferences and symposions about environment and indigenous issues. He participates in spiritual wakes for peace with the United Nations and gives lectures in panels like the Environmental Programme of the United Nations, the Panel for Religion and Spirituality, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the UNESCO Panel for Oceans, Fishery and Hunt. His work is held in high esteem for its support of intercultural harmony.

Angannagaq is a member of the World Wisdom Council, he is an Elder of Tribal Link Foundation Inc., and a member of the World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality where he works as a liaison to indigenous tribes. He is associated with the United Religions Initiative in alliance with the United Nations, the Club of Budapest International, the Masters Group, the Earth Restororations Corps, and is on the special advisory council of the Jane Goodall Institute. He is an Elder at the University of West Virginia and often speaks at small universities in North America and Europe. Especially fulfilling is his work in healing circles in small villages with indigenous peoples.

Personalities with whom Angaangaq shared the speaker's desk are, among others, Jane Goodall, Dr. Phil Lane, Co-ordinator of Four Worlds International & Four Directons, Chief Oren Lyons, Faith Keeper of the Onondaga Nation, Mercedes and Garaldo Barrios, Dr. Theo Paredes and Zulu spiritual leader Credo Mutwa. He is a close friend of Grandfather William Commanda, Elder of the Algonquin Nation and the Circle of All Nations in Ottawa, Kanada.

So what about all these impressive titles and memberships when we take a closer look at them?

A UN Environmental Protection Agency does not exist, at least not under this term, the only sites coming up when searching this agency plus Angaangaq are his own site and esoteric sites promoting events with Lyberth. The same applies to the Panel on Religion and Spirituality.

The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues does exist, but their website - http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/ - does not produce any results  for his name. A google search of the forum plus Lyberth's name again produces Lyberth's own site and numerous nuage sites who promote events with him. UNESCO has an awful lot of panels, among them, however, no panel on „Oceans, Fishery and Hunt“, and again the sites produced by google when adding Lyberth's name are his own and nuage sites.

http://www.uri.org/
The URI site has a search function – no results for Lyberth, or for Angaangaq.
In Lee Penn's: False Dawn. The United Religions Initiative, Globalism, and the Quest for a One-World-Religion, Lyberth is listed in Chapter 5: Among the Nations: The Non-Christian Supporters of the URI (p. 108). The only alliance of URI with the United Nations I could establish is an annual Prayer Day in which URI participated. Lists of participants are published, and quite apparently, everbody and their brother will be accepted, there are numerous nuage groups and organisations, and even several Scientology organisations.


Club of Budapest:
Lyberth is listed as a 'creative member' with the CoB – and so is e.g. the fake Aztec shame-on Xokonoshtletl whom we researched before.

Further info on the CoB:
http://www.esowatch.com/ge/index.php?title=Club_of_Budapest

Club of Budapest is the name of an internationally active organisation with a few national branches. In the past, several fake universities and dubious educational facilities showed up in the environment of CoB who later either disappeared or were in a very much prolonged phase of founding. There is also a strinkingly high number of New Age adherents among the members of CoB, and many New Agers/esoterics refer to these persons.

An article critical of CoB appeared in German magazine Der Spiegel which described the club as a cluster of elitist esoterics, and it further described the „Planet Life University“ as an 'interstellar pseudo university without a legal basis'.

World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality
http://globalspirit.org/
They list Lyberth as a member. WCGCS is another organization founded by the Club of Budapest, and in fact has the same president.


The Tribal Link Foundation's site suggests it is indeed a charity organization, but their site does not mention Lyberth at all, nor do they mention having any elders.


The Four Worlds Institute and its chairperson Phil Lane (who happens to have seen a promotion to 'hereditary chief' meanwhile) have been mentioned at NAFPS before, and not in a positive way.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=2731.0
It is quite interesting that both Lane Jr and Lyberth happen to live in Canada, and happen to be Bahai.


American Indian Institute Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth
http://www.twocircles.org/uncle_Tohono_Chul_event.html

The Institute situated in Bozeman, Montana advertizes one event with Lyberth:

Hold the Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 6pm
Greenland Eskimo Elder Angaangaq
"The Man Who Looks Like His Uncle"
is coming to Tucson!!
Tohono Chul Park Performance Garden
7366 N. Paseo del Norte (520) 742 6455
[...]
Tuesday evening, May 1, 2007
Dinner and reception with Uncle starting at 6pm.
This event is free to the first 150 respondents,
Donations to American Indian Institute are most appreciated.
Reservations: Secure your invitation by e-mail. Click on this link:
American Indian Institute
Limitations: This event is limited to 150 people, so respond immediately of
your intention to attend.

University of West Virginia:

http://www.wvu.edu/~nas/elderinresidence.html

The UWV site produces two results for Lyberth:

Elder-in-Residence Program
An important part of WVU’s Native American Studies Program is the tradition of bringing distinguished Native American leaders to campus to lecture and interact with our students and fellow community members (see “Legacy of Distinction”). Many of these honorable guests have been involved in our Peace Tree ceremonies. However, in the past several years, with generous support from the Carolyn Reyer Endowment for Native American Studies, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and others, a formalized Elder-in-Residence program has flourished through the participation of these outstanding individuals:
2006 Dr. Henrietta Mann, Ph.D. ( Cheyenne), public lecture, “Is Nothing Sacred? Native American Views on Reverence and Connection”
2005 Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation, Haudenosaunee, Six Nations – Iroquois Confederacy, public lecture, “Cowboys and Indians: Will it Ever End? Ask Mother Earth”
2004 LaDonna Harris, (Comanche), public lecture, “Indigeneity: Indigenous Leadership in the Face of Global Change”
2003 Peterson Zah, former Chairman and Tribal President of the Navajo Nation, public lecture, “ Winds of Change in Indian Country”
2002 Angaangaq Lyberth, (Inuk), public lecture, “Melting the Ice in the Heart of Man”

It is rather unfortunate that Lyberth gets mentioned with persons like Dr. Mann.
Otherwise, Lyberth seems to have made an appearance in one literature course at UWV in 2002:

http://www.as.wvu.edu/clcold/knowledgebase/dept_syllabi/ehigh212-W03.html

COURSE SCHEDULE: ENGL 212
1. January 15-17
Tues.: intro. to class
discuss syllabus
Thurs.: "That was the Summer of Mockingbirds" by David Brendan Hopes (hand-out) "Practice and the Passion" by Elizabeth Ogilve
3 gifts that writers have
importance of concrete description
begin journal work
2. January 22 - 24
Tues.: from A Writer's Life by Eudora Welty (hand-out)
where do stories come from?
importance of showing, not telling
more discussion of concrete description
guest speaker: Angaangaq Lyberth, "Oral Narratives as Wellsprings for Stories"
continue journal work

Despite Lyberth's claims, searching the site of the Jane Goodall Institute for his name produces this result:

Your search yielded no results

Lyberth further claims to be an Elder for the Aboriginal Justice Learning Network and for
Justice Canada
Searching all Canadian government sites brings up one entry for Lyberth:
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r213/r213-eng.shtml#_Toc247342049

Lyberth is mentioned in the Acknowledgements part of a study:

An Examination of the Effectiveness of Tupiq: A Culturally Specific Program for Inuit Sex Offenders
2009 No R-213
Acknowledgements
This report is the result of the work and dedication of many people. Our thanks to the program's participants for taking advantage of the opportunity provided to them to make important changes in their lives, to the program's facilitators and Inuit healers and writers who are contributing in important ways towards making their communities safer and healthier: Myna Ishulutak, Pitsula Akavak, Meeka Arnakaq, Abraham Arnakaq, Moosa Akavak, Leena Evic, William Qumuaqtuq, Tina Meharrie, Kanayok Salamonie, Mary Thompson, Denise Constantineau, Tracy Qaqassiq, Angangaq Lyberth, Sylvia Mala, Leetia Kowalchuk, Nuvalinga Kingwatsiak and Okie Kunnuk. Our thanks as well to the clinical director, Dr. Dana Anderson who has provided long-standing clinical oversight and expertise and a special thanks to the administrators of Fenbrook Institution, Nancy Kinsman, Willie Gladue, Corrine Hagerman, Jim Spicer and Mike Provan who originated the project and every year renewed their support for the program through these first seven years of its implementation. We would also like to thank Jenelle Power and Brian Grant for helpful comments on earlier drafts of the report.

The Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution indeed lists Lyberth as an 'Elder Advisor' and apparently publishes an intro on Lyberth which seems to have been copied from one of the nuage sites:

http://www.cicr-icrc.ca/pages/en/people/advisor.php

Elder Advisor
 
Angaangaq, whose name means “The Man Who Looks Like His Uncle”, is an internationally respected Inuk Elder for the Native communities of the Circumpolar Arctic, North and South America and Europe. In this capacity he facilitates community based conflict resolution, provides individual and group mediation services, and is a traditional healer specializing in culturally-based trauma recovery for adult survivors of child abuse.
 
Angaangaq serves on the Special Advisory Council to the Jane Goodall Institute, (appointed by Dr. Jane Goodall), is a member of the World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality and the American Indian Institute Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth. He is also an Elder for the Aboriginal Justice Learning Network, Justice Canada and Elder Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution where he is a graduate of the Third Party Neutral Conflict Resolution Training Program.
 
He is fluent in five languages including Kalaallisut (Greenland Inuktitut), Inuktitut (Canadian Inuktitut), English, Danish and Norwegian. Angaangaq is a member of the Four Worlds International Institute – Four Worlds Elders Council and President of Lyberth and Associates of Ottawa, Canada.

It does not come as all that much of a surprise that nuage sites will repeat the claim of his being an elder for „native communities of the Circumpolar Arctic, North and South America and Europe“, but to see this repeated by Canadian authorities, especially of those dealing with native Canadians, brings tears to one's eyes.






During the last years, Lyberth has been active world-wide, although he seems to have decreased activities in Brazil. He makes regular appearances in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but is also active in the USA.

While at first Lyberth seemed to come to European countries for several months of the year, a recent net search showed he did lectures or seminars in almost every month of 2010 so far.
I found an interesting report from May 2, 2010:

 http://diekatzelaesstdasmausennicht.over-blog.de/article-das-eis-im-herzen-schmelzen---der-schamane-angaangaq-49685371.html

„Yesterday, I offhandedly attended a seminar with the shaman Angaangaq from Greenland. The seminar was booked out since long. But when I went to Angaangaq's lecture on Friday, they all of a sudden announced there were a few vacancies now. So I booked at once! […]
Thanks for the love and commitment Angaangaq gave every one of us – I believe there were some 90 participants! [...]“

Here is one price tag taken from Lyberth's website:

http://www.icewisdom.com/calendar/posters/Salzburg.pdf

June 19-20, 2010
KIWA Institute, Hof near Salzburg
Seminar fee:
2 days € 290.00 including lunch
1 day € 150 including lunch

The price for a healing circle:

http://www.esoterikforum.at/forum/showthread.php?t=126859

January 19, 2010
Healing Circle 6:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Fee: € 45.00

And one for a two-day event:
http://www.villaunspunnen.ch/anlass.asp?AnlassNr=468

Working and Healing with Angaangaq, Eskimo elder
with Angaangaq, Dr. Elke von Linde
October 3 to October 5, 2008
[…]
Fee: CHF 310.00
For accom and food, cf price list 1

According to price list 1, accom is available in single rooms, double, three and six person rooms, prices vary from CHF 95, CHF 110, CHF 120, to CHF 135 per night.

And for a seminar in Germany:
http://www.sandkrughof.de/seminare/kurs.php?id=780
„Time: week 37, Sept 16 to Sept 19
Start: Thursday, Sept 16 4 p.n., end: Sunday, Sept 19, 1 p.m.
Fee: € 350, accom & food: € 174.“

Lyberth apparently is also supported by frauds like Manataka, at least he wrote a letter to their editor expressing his thanks for their support:
http://www.manataka.org/page1042.html#LETTERS_TO_THE_EDITOR...0

To Friends Around The World From Greenland
Greetings Manataka,

I am sending you my deep felt gratitude for all the support we have received this past year.

In July 2009 an age old prophecy - so old, no one knows the time - has been fulfilled, thanks to the many beautiful contributions from every part of our Mother Earth.  Atsaarsuaq Hansiina kindled the Sacred Fire not only at Aasivik in Greenland, but in hearts across the world.

Many prayed, many sent love, many offered financial support, many sent Sacred Ashes, many sent letters of support, many held Sacred Fire Ceremonies in their own communities, many came and worked in the camp, many helped in the organization, many chanted and sang songs, many are writing articles, many are giving talks, others are writing books.

Let me express again to all of you, heartfelt gratitude for the incredible difference you made for the local people on The Top Of The World.

All of us are part of the Circle, Which Has No Beginning Nor Ending, In Which We All Belong.  In unity,  Angaangaq  Angakkorsuaq

Unfortunately, Lyberth is also promoted by sites like polarwelten.de which offer lots of good and factual information on the Arctic. Unfortunately, many European readers will take their view of Lyberth for granted, and will not be able to realize their introduction is rife with stereotypes – and lies.

http://www.polarwelten.de/include.php?path=content/articles.php&contentid=912

Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq
Other persons – Arctic
DOB: November 2, 1957 in Qeqertarsuaq, West Greenland
Comes from: Greenland, living in Canada
Profession: Shaman
Success: Speaker of Elders of the Eskimo-Kalaallit, Ambassador of the Arctic peoples

Introduction
Not much is known about his birth, childhood, and further development. Born in Greenland in the Eternal Ice under most simple conditions, studied in Copenhagen, he is an ambassador of the Arctic peoples today and tracels to many countries. He advocates peace and a traditional handling of environment and nature. As a medicineman or shaman, Angaangaq tries to promote the inner balance, the handling of traditions and nature with spiritual power. He is not very tall, but we also never judged Yoda from „Star Wars“ by his size. He is very wise, calm and considerate, with an exceptional charisma, personality, and spiritual power. A teacher and taleteller, a wanderer between worlds who is as confident in a formal suit as he is in the wilderness when hunting.
[…]
POLARWORLD organizes lectures. Angaangaq explains his view of the phenomenon of global warming. He speaks about ancient traditions and talks about ancient prophecies. Fire and Ice! His drum and his songs accompany his stories and we support his projects.

Comparing Lyberth to Yoda is a rare gem and masterpiece of racism.

Here are a few more fanstastic stories:

http://www.villaunspunnen.ch/anlass.asp?AnlassNr=468

Working and Healing with Angaangaq, Eskimo Elder
with Angaangaq, Dr Elke von Linde
October 3 – October 5, 2008
[…]
The seminar is a healing journey which will break the ice in your heart and melt it with the power of love. […] Angaangaq will initiate deep transformational processes during the workshop in intensive group and individual work. Limiting patterns of belief, emotional blocks, and anxieties will be recognized and solved. The ceremonies, healings, and teachings renew our spirit, open our hearts and help us to embrace life.[...]
For many years, Angaangaq has been working as a traditional healer. In the tradition of the Eskimo-Kalallit of West Greenland, the shaman is viewed as highest in rank. One can only become a shaman, however, when appointed by one's people. This happened 175 years ago for the last time. In January 2006, Angaangaq was appointed to serve as a shaman (Angakok) of all peoples of East Greenland. In order to get prepared for the high responsibility, he underwent a strict ritual at one of the sacred mountains in Greenland. There, at an altitude of 2,000 ms, he spent 24 hours praying, without food or water, unprotected from the wind and rain.[...]
Healing session can be booked with us. One hour including translation Euro 100.-

Emphasis mine

Please do take note of the fact that the native inhabitants of Greenland belong to one people, whether they live in the East or in the West of the island. However, the majority of the population happens to live on the West coast, while only some 200 persons live on the East coast.

The intro mixes truth and fiction – what is true is that the last Angakoq was appointed some 200 years ago. Please also take note of Lyberth's claim to have done what seems to be a vision quest – which is unknown to the Inuit.

[Ingeborg]

Part II



There is further information on events organized by Lyberth on his site. In 2009, he did an alleged Sacred Fire Ceremony in Greenland.

There are some interesting details regarding Lyberth's 'ceremony' in Greenland in 2009, found in the pages 3 and 4 of the minutes of a council meeting of the Greenland town of Sisimiut:
http://www.sisimiut.gl/Admin/Public/Download.aspx?file=/Files/Filer/Kommune%20%20uploads/Politik/KB/080820_KBdagsorden_dk.pdf.

Lyberth seems to have told the mayor this would be an event attracting many visitors, among them VIPs like Gorbachev or actors like George Clooney, as well as indigenous persons from „North, Middle, and South America from various tribes, Inuit from Arctic Canada, Alaska, Siberia, persons from Somalia (Massai in Africa), Saami (Scandinavia), China etc. Apart from the indigenous population, there will be participants from several countries and former politicians like e.g. Mikhail Gorbachev, or famous actors like George Clooney etc. At least 500 persons are to be expected, furthermore an unknown number of volunteers. The arrangement will cause great interest all over the world, especially in Europe and the USA, therefore it is to be expected to be very popular. This will make Greenland, at least Kangerlussuaq, a great attraction and put a focus on this region.“

There is no apparent reason persons like Gorbachev would feel inclined to attent an event organized by Lyberth, and the only connection I was able to etablish is that, while Lyberth is a 'creative member' with the Club of Budapest, Gorbachev is listed as an 'honorary member'.

The minutes further inform that the town council spent DKR 160,000 ( approx € 21,500, almost $ 30,000 ) on interpreters and translation in the fiscal year of 2008, i.e. the year before the event.


Apparently, Lyberth did a sweatlodge during that 'ceremony' – photos of the construction of the lodge please find here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jbenglish1942/AroundCampAtTheSacredFireCeremony#

While Lyberth does not show photos of alleged ndn elders participating, this participant has two photos showing two persons from Brazil.

http://picasaweb.google.com/todd.lucier/FireAndIceCeremonyDay1#

http://picasaweb.google.com/todd.lucier/FireAndIce1#

This report mention the other elders present, and that there were about '120 guests':
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ARXDwPDlD_XwZDJiNGpxOF80MmdoOWJqYmd3&hl=en




Lyberth now advertizes more ceremonies in Greenland in 2011:

http://www.icewisdom.com/calendar/greenland/index.php

Upcoming Events in Greenland
Coming Home - Greenland - July 2011

Vision Quest - Shamanic Spiritual Walk - Sweat Lodge Ceremonies - Ceremonies with Greenland Elders and Natives - Walk to the Big Ice

Seeds were planted during the Sacred Fire Ceremony near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland in July 2009. The ceremony touched people deeply, both in their hearts and in their minds. All the people present and those connected energetically worldwide were left with profound and lasting impressions.

In July 2011 these seeds will grow and be nourished. Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq invites us to come to this place anew and once again be deeply touched. With our participation in Shamanic Spiritual Walk (July 11-16, 2011), Sweatlodge Ceremony, Ceremonies with Elders from Greenland -- we take in the immense wisdom of the Far North and allow it to strengthen us.

If you are interested in these events please send an email to heinz-werner.zander@icewisdom.com
Flyers of these events -- English -- German

To be fully informed, please read ALL of the following files:
Shamanic Spiritual Walk - description with photos
Registration and agreements
Disclaimers
What to bring
Additional information
For your binding registration till April 16th, 2011 we grant a discount of 5%.

The English flyer introduces Lyberth and his fees on page 1:

Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq is an Eskimo-Kalaalit Elder whose family belongs to the traditional healers of Greenland, the country which has never known war. His work has taken him to five continents and over 40 countries around the world. As a traditional healer, storyteller and carrier of a Qilaut (drum) he conducts Healing Circles, Intensives and Sweat Lodges integrating the unwritten healing traditions and wisdom of the Eskimo-Kallallit.

Date 2010
July 7-19 Vision Quest
cost: 2690 Euro – US$ 3870
airfare not included

July 16-24 Shamanic Spiritual Walk
cost: 1950 Euro – US$ 2800
airfare not included
A walk to the Big Ice is optional. Cost on request.
Both include a Gathering with Elders. Before March 20, we give a discount of 5%.

The flyer explains the ceremonies on page 2:

As a participant in a shamanic vision quest, you spend four days and nights fasting and in silence. As far as the eye reaches, you're surrounded by the creation. Being alone forces you to make your way home to your heart.

As the participant in a shamanic spiritual walk, you and others will walk in silence past an  historical settlement and then around Long Lake on hills and plains. The close encounter with natural forces helps you on your way to your Self.

Both experiences are each rounded off with a sweat lodge ceremony.

Side by side in a circle with elders of Greenland you can experience the tremendous wisdom of a culture that has never known war. The elders will celebrate their ceremonies together with the participants.

[Spelling errors as in original flyer]


In another document available at Lyberth's site, there is a questionnaire demanding lots of personal info of participants (like No of passport, details regarding individual state of health, whom you want to be contacted in case of an emergency....). The text then continues listing up what is included and what is not – please also take due note that the flyer grants a 5% discount if participants book prior to March 20, while this info sheet says „till April 16th, 2010“.

Prices:

Vision Quest                        3,870 USD / person

Shamanic Spiritual Walk                  2,800 USD / person

For your binding registration till April 16th, 2010 we grant a discount of 5%. Your registration is binding as soon as we received a deposit of 670 USD.

Please make checks out to Sirmiq Aattuq LLC and send to:
Judi Macy
13484 Sylvan Ave
Fort Myers
FL 33919

The participants will be accepted in order of the binding registration.

The total sum must be credited on our account at the latest May 7th, 2010.

Services included:

Transfers between Kangerlussuaq and our camp on the first and last day of the event
Shamanic guidance of Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq
Support during Vision Quest and Shamanic Spiritual Walk
Infrastructure in the camp such as meeting tent, kitchen, toilets
Meals during the stay at our camp
Emergency medical care in the camp
Vision Quest or Shamanic Spiritual Walk
Sweatlodge
Gathering with Elders


Not included:

Individual arrival and departure to Kangerlussuaq
Individual transfer from Kangerlussaq to our camp in case of delayed arrival
Personal tent in the camp and for the Vision Quest
Camping matt and sleeping bag
Visa and passport fees
Meals and drinks that are not specified above
Special tours
Tips
Personal expenses for laundry, gifts etc.


Personal requirements:

Physical and mental health
Sufficient experience in trekking or hiking

Cancellation policy:

All cancellations must be in written form to: heinz-werner.zander@icewisdom.com
The deposit is non refundable.
Cancellation expenses:    until    31 days before the event: deposit
            from    30 days before the event: 50%
            from    14 days before the event: 100%


Confirmation

Herewith I confirm that I have delivered the in part 1 mentioned information truthfully and in accordance with my best knowledge and conscience.

I am aware that the participation requires my complete physical and mental health. The participation replaces neither a doctor's visit nor medical therapy nor the taking of drugs.

I confirm that I am physically and mentally able to take part in this event. I take part on my own risk. (If you are unsure, we recommend a visit to your doctor.)

The Vision Quest as well as the Shamanic Spiritual Walk traditionally take place without consumption of food or liquids. It is my responsibility to provide for my own well-being and if need be to have an emergency supply.

Herewith I confirm that I have fully read and understood the conditions.

I hereby register for this journey.

Participants are also expected to sign a Disclaimer which says:

Declaration

I agree to hold the organizers, volunteers and site owners harmless and indemnify them against all actions or claims (including reasonable attorneys' fees, judgements and costs) with respect to any injuries, death or other damages or losses, resulting from my participation in any aspect of „Coming Home Greenland July 2010“.

The disclaimer continues that participants are to pay transport to medical facilites and medical treatment as a result of an injury, and „I understand that this waiver will have no bearing on any workers compensation claims that I may make as a result of my participation in this event.“

I understand and agree that all reasonable methods have been used to inform me of the nature of the procedures and any personal risks involved in the sweat lodge ceremony.

Having understood and appreciated the personal risks involved and complied with the physical preparations, I will participate in said ceremony accepting full responsibility for this decision and for the consequences arising from it.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the „Coming Home Greenland July 2010“-Waiver. I am of legal age and for myself, my executors, administrators and asignees, do hereby release and discharge Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, Sirmiq Aattuq LLC and any of his principals, employees, assistants or support team from all claims of damages, demands or actions whatsoever in any manner, arising from or emerging out of my participation.

So, Lyberth (ab)uses all kinds of real or alleged contacts to promote his shame-on business, he sells ceremonies which do not belong to the Inuit, he advertizes healing promises, and his price tags are getting more and more impressive.

And what do people in Greenland think of him? Here's a comment I found at Wikipedia, written by Kelly Berthelsen from Greenland who is an author:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Angaangaq_Lyberth

Be warned! Angaangaq might be a con artist. We West Greenlanders have been Christianized since 1720´s and had not had any shamans for very least 200 years. Our elders (my grandmother died 10 years ago 91 years old) respect christianity very much. Possessing traditional knowledge of healthy food, such as plants, roots, fresh meat and blubber, is not viewed as something metaphysical, it just means that you are good survivor like anyone else.
Bearer of Qilaut: Must be his own invention. A drum (qilaut, or qilaat) is a musical instrument that people used for singing and dancing, and much less frequently, for spiritual practice. This instrument had been "banned" in West Greenland, where Angaangaq crew up, for at least last 150 years by the time he was born.
I am not leader of Greenlanders by any means, however I find very disturbing that someone from our own people will use ignorance of people for own personal gain.
Kelly Berthelsen Qaqortoq

[Defend the Sacred]

This summer we heard this guy has tricked his way into some gatherings with traditional people. Apparently they just figured he was from so far away, from a culture they knew nothing about, that they took him at his word. One of the reasons they didn't know it was the same guy from this thread is he has been going by a few variations on his name, or other aliases. The people we heard this from only heard him referred to as "Uncle."

[Epiphany]

One of his supporters repeats a version of the common fraud response to criticism:

One of the teachings Angaangaq received from Anakassa is that of the Circle. “The beauty of the Circle is that we cannot see each other’s back; and the strength of the Circle is that we can only see each other’s beauty." When we say negative things about a person behind their back is is often we who are hurt the most. I pray this does not happen to the person who wrote the above comments about Angaangaq.

Jane English here is incorrectly equating justifiable questioning with saying "negative things" and she adds a bonus threat that if we say "negative things" the universe might slap us down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Angaangaq_Lyberth

[Sparks]

There is another thread mostly about Lyberth:

http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=4264
[Stuttgart/Germany: Indian Inuit: North America Film Festival 2014]

[Sparks]

One of his supporters repeats a version of the common fraud response to criticism:

One of the teachings Angaangaq received from Anakassa is that of the Circle. “The beauty of the Circle is that we cannot see each other’s back; and the strength of the Circle is that we can only see each other’s beauty." When we say negative things about a person behind their back is is often we who are hurt the most. I pray this does not happen to the person who wrote the above comments about Angaangaq.

Jane English here is incorrectly equating justifiable questioning with saying "negative things" and she adds a bonus threat that if we say "negative things" the universe might slap us down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Angaangaq_Lyberth

That quote from WikiTalk is an excerpt of a response to this quote:

And what do people in Greenland think of him? Here's a comment I found at Wikipedia, written by Kelly Berthelsen from Greenland who is an author:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Angaangaq_Lyberth

Be warned! Angaangaq might be a con artist. We West Greenlanders have been Christianized since 1720´s and had not had any shamans for very least 200 years. Our elders (my grandmother died 10 years ago 91 years old) respect christianity very much. Possessing traditional knowledge of healthy food, such as plants, roots, fresh meat and blubber, is not viewed as something metaphysical, it just means that you are good survivor like anyone else.
Bearer of Qilaut: Must be his own invention. A drum (qilaut, or qilaat) is a musical instrument that people used for singing and dancing, and much less frequently, for spiritual practice. This instrument had been "banned" in West Greenland, where Angaangaq crew up, for at least last 150 years by the time he was born.
I am not leader of Greenlanders by any means, however I find very disturbing that someone from our own people will use ignorance of people for own personal gain.
Kelly Berthelsen Qaqortoq

[Sparks]

He has also been mentioned a few times elsewhere in the forum, e.g.:

Grandfather Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq (Greenlandic Inuit)
Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq ("He Looks Like His Uncle") is a healer, storyteller and drum carrier. “Uncle” is a Greenlandic Elder whose family belongs to the traditional healers of Kalaallit Nunaat. He conducts healing circles, intensives, and sweat lodges rooted in the wisdom of the oral healing traditions of his people. He was called by his people to bring home the Sacred Fire to Greenland.

In July 2009 Elders from several nations brought back the fire ceremony and sweat lodge ceremony to Greenland, where they have not been performed for centuries for lack of wood. Now the trees are once again growing as prophecy predicted; a prophecy that foretells a day when Greenland will be forested once again. www.icewisdom.com

He's still very active, check his events at his homepage, linked to in above quote. His self-description(s):

Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq
Kalaalllit Shaman

Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, shaman, healer, storyteller and carrier of the Qilaut (winddrum), is an Eskimo-Kalaallit Elder whose family belongs to the traditional healers from Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland. His engagement for the Environment and Indigenous issues brought him to more than 60 countries in the world.

Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, shaman, healer, storyteller and carrier of the Qilaut (winddrum), is an Eskimo-Kalaallit Elder whose family belongs to the traditional healers of the Far North from Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland. His name means ‘The Man Who Looks Like His Uncle’. Uncle, as he is frequently called, bridges the boundaries of cultures and faiths in people young and old. His work has taken him to five continents and over 50 countries around the world including South Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Arctic Europe, Russia, and Siberia. Angaangaq conducts healing circles, intensives, and Aalaartiviit – traditional sweat lodges. His teachings are deeply rooted in the wisdom of the oral healing traditions of his people. In 2004 his family summoned him to the sacred mountain for his initiation as their shaman.

The greatest distance in the existence of Man is not from here to there nor from there to here. Nay, the greatest distance in the existence of Man is from his mind to his heart. Unless he conquers that distance he can never learn to soar like an eagle and realize his own immensity within.

Angaangaq was called by his people to bring home the Sacred Fire to Greenland. In July 2009 Elders from Siberia to Amazonia, from Nepal to Zimbabwe made their way to an ancient sacred site on the Top of the World, fulfilling a prophecy so old – no one knows the time. The trees are once again growing in the North and the seal oil lamp has become a thing of the past. During the three day ceremony Akkaaraq called on Angaangaq to be known as the »Great Shaman«.

The Ancient One’s say that One Day, when the World needs it most, the Sacred Fire will come home to the people on the Top of the World.

Angaangaq is a keynote speaker at international conferences on climate change, environmental and indigenous issues.
His work is acclaimed in promoting interracial and intercultural harmony.
Angaangaq’s ceaseless work takes him to schools, prisons, businesses, conferences and senior homes, both at home in Kalaallit-Nunaat and throughout the world.

Yeah, those always unnamed "Ancient One’s" [sic] and "a prophecy so old – no one knows the time". I'd like to see some source confirming that such an old prophecy really exists.

A Google search for "Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq" yields more than 30,000 hits.

There are at least two Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/icewisdom/
https://www.facebook.com/IceWisdom-International-LLC-184229638287289/