Category: Conferences & Symposia

María Veronica Iglesias: The Mesoamerican Goddesses: Ancient Archetypes supporting women who experienced violence of gender

This presentation aims to talk about ten Mesoamerican female deities, their symbolism and meaning as well as the way they were venerated in ancient Mexico and exploring a way in which the archetypes they represent support women who have experienced gender and sexual violence. This idea has been used in several workshops and the results have been positive; every woman who has participated in them has been renewed, with a different perception of her life and what could have happened to her.

This proposal also aims to re-evaluate indigenous knowledge and spirituality, specifically the Nahua tradition. This work represents also an alternative for many women who have ancestors of Mexican indigenous blood and who now live in the United States, it is an option to reconnect with their spirituality and ancient healing forms, which is a mechanism of female empowerment that embraces practices and the traditional knowledge of their native cultures. No doubt these ancient deities have many gifts for women today as they represent different facets of women’s lives within the patriarchal system and can help us live in harmony and heal the wounds of the soul and the feminine energy.

María Veronica Iglesias was born in Mexico City, has a Master’s Degree in Mesoamerican Studies. She was initiated in the sacred knowledge of Mesoamerican shamanism and became a bearer of the Sacred Word. A Priestess of Ix´Cheel, the Mayan Goddess of Medicine, Veronica researches Pre-Hispanic medicine, rites of passage and Goddesses from Mesoamerica.

Ritual on Climate Change and Earth Abuse

This interactive ritual, suitable for either a workshop or presentation, will create a sacred space in which participants may access, express, and transform our fear, rage, grief, and mourning over the patriarchal abuse of Mother Earth. We will create a circle of Goddesses of Earth — Asase Yaa, Corn Maiden, Danu, Demeter, Gaia, Mago, Ostara, and Pacha Mama — to witness and contain catharsis and transformation. we will focus on accessing and expressing our suppressed emotions about earth abuse.  In the final part of the ritual, we will raise further energy and the group will create and participate in a performative catharsis of chanting and circling.  The ritual will close with an opportunity for participants to write and/or chant an intention and resolution for collective and/or individual action to move forward in support of Earth and her healing.

Annie Finch is a poet, writer, speaker, performer, and witch. Her eighteen books include Eve, Calendars, A Poet’s Craft, Spells, and Among the Goddesses: An Epic Libretto in Seven Dreams, which received ASWM’s 2010 Sarasvati Award. A graduate of Yale with a Stanford Ph.D, Annie currently teaches for the low-residency M.F.A. program in creative writing at St. Francis College and offers inspirational talks, rituals, and workshops on language and spirit.

This powerful mother-daughter team presents on human rights and social justice.  Listening to her own ancestors and following her visions in spite of opposition, Beverly Little Thunder holds ceremonial space in Vermont. She teaches and counsels those who hold their own visions and is especially active in supporting the next generations while they move into their places of leadership. Presenting with her daughter Lushanya she aims to inspire hope, courage, and confidence in those who will one day be our leadership. Her recent memoir, One Bead at a Time,  will be available for sale at the conference.

Beverly Little Thunder & Lushanya Echeverria, “Womyn’s Sundance: Two Spirit Indigenous Ceremonial Community”

‘We are all related’ is the belief that Lakota people live by. Womyn are the bearers of that life. Before documented history the Wimmin were the ones to decide how the tribe functioned. Today it is still the role Wimmin are playing, but now patriarchal social systems create opposition to those roles by not only men but by many females also. Our best shot at stopping that mindset is through teaching our daughters that we are not the weaker of the species. This presentation emphasizes the strengths of wimmen in fighting for social justice for all.

Lushanya Echeverria, “Recognizing Intergenerational Trauma from American Indian Boarding Schools”

The trauma from emotional and physical abuse inflicted on Baby Boomers, attending American Indian Boarding Schools, has a huge impact on Millennials as their parents process trust issues and negative perceptions of educational institutions passed down from relatives. 

Beverly Little Thunder is a Two-Spirit mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and lifelong activist. She was involved in the American Indian Movement at its inception, is a founding member of the Two-Spirit Gathering movement, and continues to fight for human rights and racial and social justice. As an enrolled tribal member, Beverly was on the front lines Standing Rock’s “Mni Wiconi” Water Protector Movement, and Kunsi Keya became the fiscal sponsor of Two Spirit Nation during that time. Beverly is also a published author of the memoir, One Bead at a Time and a chapter in Two Spirit People (1995). Beverly has also shared her wisdom in presentations at Modern Matriarchal Studies Day (2016) and at women’s gatherings across the country.

Lushanya Echeverria, Master of Art in Education,  is a professional educator specializing in Emotional Wellness and Behavior Modification in inner-city Phoenix.  Drawing from her upbringing within her Lakota Sioux heritage, Lushanya works with Native American students and families to build connections between traditional home practices and public education through community circles, parenting classes, curriculum, truancy intervention and Conflict Mediation. Spiritual Leader of the Lakota Women’s Sundance (as trained and guided by her mother), Lushanya shares traditional teachings of her people to help women, men, and children have a sense of connection between themselves and Mother Earth.  Lushanya is a trained ShadowWork facilitator, Conflict Mediation trainer, and enjoys spending her free time singing with her local Women’s Choir and time with her 18 nieces and nephews.

ASWM is thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to its 2018 conference program.

Friday March 16, 5:30-7pm – Goddess Banquet: Priestess Prayers to Shechinah

Join two Hebrew Priestesses – Judith Maeryam Wouk and Sarah Chandler– for a vegetarian dinner to celebrate the opening of the Jewish sabbath with poetry, prayer, and song. The language plays with gender of God/Goddess both in Hebrew and English. It also includes some earth-based imagery. Participants will have the option to interact with natural objects on a small altar at the center of our table/altar, as well as the option for contemplative time.

All are welcome. We are requesting that you RSVP and pay in advance, as the meal will be catered and we need a head count by March 9th. This is an OPTIONAL event, and not included in your conference registration fee. The cost will be $45 and include a vegetarian meal with wine or grape juice along with ritual supplies.

RSVP by March 9th to Judith (see below)and please pay in advance on ASWM’s donation page. Select donation type “other” and write shabbat in the “other”field so we can code properly. 

For more information and to RSVP, contact Judith Maeryam at aswm.ft9z@ncf.ca. 

The ASWM Events Team