There is a growing need to re-humanize. To re-examine, question and repair our values about our place in the world. This self-examination often includes concerns for our families, communities, work. 

The results have been to search for more complementary practices and beliefs that will enhance our lives, in other words to reject fear and embrace hope. Hope dwells at a primal level in each of us, in the mists of the ancient brain. Hope is essential to life. A lack of hope occurs when we feel that our voices are unheard, when there is no sense of ownership, when we feel powerless instead of empowered.

"Wisdom of the Ages" Events have been designed  to:

• Help answer the question of how best to integrate this knowledge into the soul of every day work and personal life

• Address issues of cultural diversity

• Assist in educating Educators: Politics, Social Studies, Justice, History, Politics, Music, Dramatic Arts, Native Studies 

• Address Women and Leadership issues

• Help raise the level of personal consciousness to influence health and well-being

• Help centre the mind and embrace the positive messages that true self-empowerment brings

• Help understand the importance of achieving personal goals, developing positive attitudes, improving relationships and generally 'lightening up'

• Help understand  the 'tricky' laws of the mind by recognizing the challenges of self-defeating messages and negative thoughts

• Finding humour, yes even in the workplace - for humour is an important binding that ties people together

  Rest, Contemplation and Reflection are important Life and Business Skills, and critical ingredients to rediscovering the Essential Self. Team building and individual self-awareness are the benefits of feeling and hearing  the universal rhythms of peaceful and supportive communication. The result is more contented home lives, workplaces and communities.

  It is no secret that contented humans encourage relationships that cross cultural, political, social and professional boundaries.

  (Workshops/Seminars can be adapted as Keynote Addresses)

The beauty and wisdom of First Nations teachings and stories when combined with music, drumming and rhythm bridges the cultural divide in a way that allows for the magic of all cultures to be celebrated and understood in positive and uplifting ways. This is a truly interactive experience. Participants have the opportunity to learn drum rhythms on authentic Native hand drums and shakers; women play Moonstone, the big healing drum; learn songs, some of which are taught in the original languages.

The circle offers healing, and elevates the spirit in a manner that pleases all our Ancestors.

Participants find the drum circles exhilarating and learn a tremendous amount about themselves and cultures. Fortunately, Thunderbird is very, very good at packing sixty thousand years of Indigenous teachings into 90-120 minutes and making it fun and relevant in the 21st century!

"You and Sandy were fabulous. The staff haven't stopped talking about the drums, your words, and all the laughter.  The afternoon put us all back in balance.  Please come back. Thank you!!!!!"
(Lambton College, Sarnia)

A blind eye sees Darth Vader...An open eye sees
Obi Won Kanobi..." Among other things, cultural awareness helps identify the subtle and not so subtle forms of racism while, at the same time, celebrating the richness of cultural diversity and the contributions all people make to the world.

In today's world, cultural diversity is a default situation. Individuals and organizations can ill-afford to ignore the reality of the diversity in their workforce and consumer base.  Expecting (or hoping) for a homogeneous work force in the coming years is simply unrealistic, why would one want to anyway?

Workplace diversity includes: Culture, Gender, Race, Ethnicity.  Diversity applies to team building, new global economies, leadership, service to customers, all forms of communication, present and future challenges, moving beyond mere tolerance to celebration.

Interesting notes:

• By the year 2025, over forty percent of the population in North America will be of immigrant status and people of color.

• African Americans, Hispanics and Asians in the United States together recently spent $600 billion in one year - three times what the U.S. sold to Canada, its largest exporter. 

• Indigenous people are one of the fastest growing populations in Canada.

There is no such thing as a quick fix when trying to change attitudes within entrenched corporate or personal thinking.  An initial seminar may scratch the surface by introducing topics and ideas, but diversity training is a lifestyle change and needs to be an integral part of company time and focus. 

If high-performance and productivity levels are goals to be achieved within your business structure, then it is incumbent upon Senior Managers and Executives to ensure that all levels of the organization (including themselves) are working harmoniously together within a culturally diverse situation. 

Conflict resolution, discrimination, lack of cultural understanding all affect bottom lines because they tie up time, energy and considerable financial resources sometimes for extended periods.  

Skills in handling and understanding cultural competence, cross-cultural conflict resolution, training of staff, managing a diverse workforce and employing Diversity Trainers are now very real twenty-first century issues.

There are several critical areas that need to be reviewed on an ongoing basis:

• Company Policies — Internal examination of company policies, attitudes, procedures and infrastructures. Do they adequately address diversity issues? Do they promote equal hierarchical access? Are the contributions of each employee regardless of position within the hierarchy acknowledged, valued and respected?
• Management Systems — Ensuring that all managers are in the loop as regards communal, equitable and consistent interpretation and implementation of company policies as regards a culturally diverse workplace.
• Relationships — Building an business environment that respects and includes all cultures within its managerial and employee ranks. 
• Personal Attitudes - Debunking out-moded, stereotypical attitudes by moving such views away from convenient "boxed-in" thinking to one of joy and acknowledgement that many diverse humans share this one small planet planet.

"We're still here, and we live on this land. We don't live in your libraries in the pages of your books. Our world is not for digging up our pottery, or for digging up our bones....We have a long surviving and sacred tradition and an experiential wisdom that's been passed on for more centuries than you people can imagine. This is your chance to benefit from that. All you have to do is be quiet and listen and quit worrying about proving and believing." 
(Mad Bear - Tuscarora Holy Man Tuscarora Nation of the Six-Nation Haudenosaunne Confederacy)

The Indigenous oral narrative sought to ground The People in the truth of their existence by providing historical connections and a world view that pulsated through the endless circles within circles of Indigenous life. Stories held a special importance particularly because, prior to European contact, Native people lacked a formal system of writing. Philosophy, spiritual beliefs, morals, customs and ideas were perpetuated by means of the spoken word. Memory was the vital component of the storytelling process. For thousands of years this sacred and traditional knowledge was held in trust by the Elders and Medicine People. Elders were highly respected and valued as a direct link to their people's heritage and traditions because their wisdom and ability created continuity that tied the past to the present and the future. 

Wherein other forms of Indigenous storytelling changed through time and telling, stories that described claims to clans, crests, Native names, territory, did not. It was the responsibility of the Elders to ensure their accuracy, choose those in the tribe who would carry it on, and then instruct them accordingly. The meticulous telling of these stories was vital because they represented the historical record, and therefore, accuracy was essential to the ‘legal legitimacy’ of claims. In other words, they were the social, political and economic bases of tribal cultures, and as such, the spoken word was equivalent to the European style of written contract.

Time with Thunderbird is spent entering the world of Canada’s Indigenous People with their rich and lasting contributions that have made Canada unique. With profound insight and clarity, she offers a rollicking, often humorous interactive experience where participants immerse themselves in Indigenous Culture by listening to stories, learning songs, drum rhythms and movement.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing. Some authentic Native Hand Drums and shakers will be available. Participants are invited to bring their own percussion instrument if they have one.

As humans we spend a lot of time questioning the value of many things in our lives. For the most part we pretty much accept that what has happened to us is often out of our control, OR "God's plan", or so we think. Native prophecy and teachings say this is not the case, that each life is a carefully designed tapestry of connected experiences; these experiences eventually lead us on a path of understanding that we are, in fact, in control of our own destinies but we are blocked because we tend to take for granted many of our own expectations and experiences.

We have a life decision to make. The decision is whether to create positive or negative energy in our world. This has nothing to do with race, religion, colour or creed; it has to do with our decision on how to use our personal gifts in everyday living on Mother Earth.

The Native path is that which walks in rhythm and harmony. Soul/Spirit is the core to that rhythm, the soul of an individual, the soul of the tribe/community, the soul of nature, the soul of the planet, the soul of the Universe. Traditional Teachings find their core in many forms: the great circle of life, ritual, meditation, drumming, prayer, connections with the natural order of things; these teachings resonate through all that is contained within the Four Directions, enveloped by the protection of Father Sky, and born in the circle of Mother Earth's embrace.

As people develop and come to own their inner strengths, their words, thoughts and dreams become laws unto themselves (not others). If the Spirit is willing participants will create their own Shield and make solid the Medicine already contained in their hearts.

Time with Thunderbird and Horne is spent centering the mind with a reintroduction to the matriarchal path that speaks of men and women coming together again, to live in harmony as they did in the past, with respect and caring for each other.

With profound insight and clarity, they offer tools to bridge ancient teachings with modern life on an inner journey of discovery to bond once again with the soil of the sacred Earth, where all races can live together, and emerge with a way of life that respects and re-connects to the natural world and the universe.

Manage the Mind, Lead With The Heart is:

• a seminar/workshop about teamwork and consensus which is focused on positive attitudes, support and cooperation.

• a way for participants to tap into their inner strengths by listening for the ‘hum’ that rests between the voice and the drum.

• An opportunity to quiet  inner chatter, centre the mind and reconnect with the positive messages that true self-empowerment brings.

In this gentle non-intrusive, fun, informative and relaxing workshop,  participants have an opportunity to reconnect to the stories found in their personal histories, and to the four major realms of human existence – the Mind, Spirit, Emotions and Physical Body. 

This workshop is for those who seek inner peace and a healthier mind and body so that the fullness of their talents can be liberated. The day-long seminar requires teamwork, positive attitudes and co-operation in order to get in touch with the fullness of the soul's planetary beat.

Thunderbird weaves through all her presentations the timeless principle that the entire universe answers to one elegant and simple pulse -- the heartbeat of Mother Earth. 

If you don't have anything, join anyway, for the Voice is the Juice of the Soul. To end the workshop (Three hour or full day workshops only) on a high note, the group will choose one of the songs and rhythms they have learned for a final performance. Group members are invited to tape the performance for posterity!

The Human Family Is An Integral Part of An Harmonious Universe. Wearing comfortable clothing is recommended. Bring a  Hand Drum or Shaker if you have one.

Enrolment is limited 

Raising the level of personal consciousness results in a better understanding of the variables that can influence women's health and well-being. Women need to be able to understand their personal power by figuring out the ‘tricky’ laws of the mind and recognizing the challenges of self-defeating messages and negative thoughts. 

"When people are powered over, it always results in either transferring this dominance over others less powerful than themselves or indignation on being powered over!" (Paula Gunn Allen). Rage at the injustice of it all is the inevitable result. Women have lived with rage long enough.

There is a prophecy that says: ‘When the trees start dying from the top, women will takeback the drum’, which means that women will start reclaiming themselves by blending the knowledge of ancient wisdom into their contemporary lives. For example, Trees are the symbols of transformation. The roots are the past. It is where heritage and the ancestors are honoured; The trunk is the present; Branches are future goals. There are trees as bent as some people and straight as others. There is a tree for everyone. It is also the symbol of honesty. 

AS WOMEN, HOW STRAIGHT ARE WE WITH OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER?

Topics introduced are:

• The Importance of Being Authentic;

• Examining What Happens When Memory and Self-Defeating Messages are combined;

• Empowering the Inner Self by combining the twin elements of Wisdom and Courage;

• Before There Were Gods There Were Goddesses!
• Building bridges, Team building and Living Wise.

Women  have an opportunity to spend time in a safe, sacred environment reconnecting with each other, and refocusing on how to ‘command the space’ in which they walk. Dress comfortably and be prepared to interact with each other.

Want to know more about Leadership Issues? 

• Memory and Self-Defeating Messages

• Rest and Contemplation: Essential Life and Business Skills

• Gender Communication

• The Importance of Being Authentic

• Why we do the things we do to each other

• Looking for serenity in the same place as despair

• Can positive really replace negative on a consistent basis?

• Teamwork, consensus - the hallmarks of Indigenous cultures

• How to balance the four realms of human existence: mind, spirit, emotions, body

• Who Heals the Healer?

• Self-Empowerment Using the Twin Elements of Wisdom and Courage

• We are never alone

• The meaning of the circle, drum teachings, the magic #4

• We Are One People:  All Humans are Connected.

• Understanding the Roles of Women, Men, Elders, Children Within the Context of the Modern Tribe

• Ontario Native Studies Curriculum (Grades 4-High School).

• Importance of the preservation of culture

• Digital and New Media Technologies: The Importance of the Oral Tradition as a Force for Cultural Grounding in the Digital Age

• Understanding that 'Traditional' Thinking is not Old-Fashioned Thinking

• Youth and Leadership; Elevating the Spirit of our Youth

INFORMATION ON School Visits

voice@shannonthunderbird.com
(Fees do not include, (where applicable), mileage, airfare, 
hotel accommodation or per diem)