Armand DeGrenier, Nova Quest, Nova Scotia.

I have been guided in spiritual practice in this incarnation following the instructions of the pre-birth council of coherence … after meeting and studying the path of “Core Shamanism” with Michael and Sandra Harner in the early 1980’s, I began experiencing a series of co-incidences that could be best described as emanations from “non-ordinary realms” … these moments of awakenings have been like a map of a path of guidance which continues to unfold to this day … in the late 1990’s, after being curious about DNA-genealogy, I was drawn to Font-de-Gaume in the Dordogne region of south western France where I experienced a profound heart connection with the lineage of the ancient cave painters … thus the 10,000 year old roots of my shamanic path became clear ! I am heartfully indebted to the many teachers, family, friends, sisters and brothers on the path I have met over the years … in particular when I review my sacred walk, i think back to the 1970’s and humbly honour the teachings freely gifted to me by Manitonquat (Medicine Story) of the Wampanoag nation in Massachusetts and more recently am sincerely beyond grateful for the guidance and sharing of tio (uncle) don Caesario, donna Maria, don Augustin and don Rojellio of the Secoya people of Ecuador and to sobrino (nephew) Jonathan Miller, at guaria de osa retreat centre in costa rica, ethnobotanist, inter-cultural guide and rainforest protector-activist for our shared vision of (inter)planetary wholeness.

Nancy “Dancing Light” Sherwood,

EarthSea @ Serenity, Nova Scotia,

Nancy has been encouraging shamanic transformation from the inside out, and from the outside in for more than two decades. Co-founder of the ten year experiment in collective shamanic living that was EarthSea Shamanic Ecovillage, Nancy’s inspired and inspiring projects continue to be on the cutting edge of shamanic practice in Nova Scotia, including: spirit pilgrimages to many lands, many ancestors; assisting both First Nations people and Celtic people in their spiritual reclamation efforts; helping individuals reconnect to the land and re-collect their soul essence; establishing a Mandala of Peace through shamanic dance training; and most recently, creating a traveling spiritual banquet in Nova Scotia called A Sense of Place, that honours and celebrates exceptional appropriate stewardship of land, while calling forth and interacting with the life-enhancing essences of the land itself. Nancy is a founding partner in EarthSea Interpretations Unlimited which offers one-on-one shamanic counseling as well as shamanic apprenticeships and training. She also co-founded the Nova Scotia Shamanic Grandmother’s Council and is a sweat lodge leader and practicing shaman.

David “White Thunder” Cameron, Shaman’s helper, Grandfather, Web Chef (more like short order cook for this site!), shamanic artist, currently bent on bringing shamanic lamp light into as much of the world as I can. With Nancy Sherwood, founded EarthSea Shamanic Ecovillage and now residing with her at Serenity on Zwicker Lake (a misty in-between place, great for Celtic shamanism). I’ve been on this winding woven path for several decades and have danced the dance in the Highlands, the Western Isles, Botswana, the Yucatan and the Prairies. I count many teachers in many tribes, including all of my shamanic friends. I’ ka kimat (try hard) and Blessed be.

Carla “Dancing Rainbow Dragon” Silver, Riversong Keep, Nova Scotia

Carla rekindled her relationship to Creator and Mother Earth through the ancestral wisdom teachings of Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo, and inter-wove these Peace Keeping ways with a degree in Environmental planning. She pledged to walk in beauty, to cultivate right relationship and to live in harmony with all beings during her first vision quest some twenty years ago. Her earth walk brought her to the intentional shamanic eco-village of Earth Sea, to live and study with her life long Teacher Nancy “Dancing Light” Sherwood. Carla is a carrier of Womens Medicine and receives guidance through the divine feminine ways of the Celestial Grandmothers. As an Earth Keeper she practices land stewardship with her partner at River Song Keep, a bio-dynamic farm, shamanic studies and experiential learning center in Chester Grant, Nova Scotia. Life at River Song evolves around the practices of honoring ancestral holy days and the celestial ceremonial wheel. As a long time student of Tom Brown Jr’s School of Tracking, Nature Awareness and Wilderness Survival and, Vision Quest Protector through the Earth Heart Institute of Vision and Healing, Carla offers nature based experiences and shamanic healing to individuals and groups. Carla is a Sweat Lodge Keeper and is a member of the Shamanic Grandmothers Council of Nova Scotia, Nova Quest Medicine Drum Society and the South Shore Meditation Center of Shambhala International. Carla owns and operates Shamanic Pathways Nova Scotia.

David has several years of experience as Chief Fire Keeper, both at his home at River Song Keep, NS, and for an annual Sun Dance in Alberta .

Leila Bruno, Eco-presenter, US

Leila Bruno has an undergraduate degree in ecology and a Masters in English. She helped to set the statewide system of rape crisis centers and battered women’s shelters in Wyoming in the 1970’s and co-founded a non-profit environmental group in Wyoming in 1980’s — this group is still working to protect habitats for endangered species. She lived in Buddhist dharma centers from 1999-2006, working as a coordinator, shrine-keeper, householder and meditation instructor. During a break from retreat centre work in 2004-05, she coordinated a statewide history project and edited and published the book, Ahead of Their Time: Wyoming Voices for Wilderness. In 2008 she spent time in the Amazon rainforest with the Achuar people’s of Ecuador. Currently she is living in Boulder, CO and travels widely as a facilitator for the Awaking The Dreamer symposium, an initiative of the Pachamama Alliance. Leila presented Awakening the Dreamer at the first Shamanic Convergence in 2009 and will present an extended version this year.

Prune, Nova Scotia

Prune Harris has been able to see energy since childhood, although it took her 30 years to realise that not everybody sees people and the rest of Mother Earth’s creations in quite the same way! Named as a Spirit Walker and a Healer by her spirit teachers, she has been dedicated to and apprenticed with Mother Earth since first being called in her early 20s. She is trained in various healing modalities, including Reiki and Eden Energy Medicine, and through her private practice she helps facilitate individuals towards a deep connection with understanding their Soul Path and in bringing into balance the energy necessary to consciously engage in walking such a Path. She lives in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where she works with Elders from the Mi’kmaq First Nation in her work with Integrative Science at Cape BretonUniversity and is the founder of Imaginal Health; an Institute created to bring awareness and consciousness to the health and harmony of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.

Born in Vancouver, B.C., Theresa connected with Nature in her youth.  Faced with a debilitating illness in the early ‘90’s, Theresa’s healing journey spanned many modalities and practices, including several years of studying and assisting Sandy Levey-Lunden, teacher of deep personal courses based on the principles of A Course in Miracles.  Theresa’s introduction to the East Coast Village in 2005 was a profound connection to community, which led to a deep joining to her ancestors and a commitment to the work of Malidoma Somé to bring the teachings of the Dagara Tribe to the west.  Theresa was initiated as an elder in 2006 and recently completed the Indigenous Ancestral Spirit Technology trainings. In 2008, Theresa co-facilitated the first Sisters of the Gates gathering, which is expanded to include a Nova Scotia event with Malidoma in 2009.

Entering the path of sacred earth medicine through ritual honouring of the Earth’s rhythms with the Sun, Moon, and Stars, I offer my art and essences, as  healing meditations. With drum, rattle, and song, and feet rooted to the earth, I explore the gifts that nature brings, for deep soul healing and connection. Beth is an history graduate of Mt. Allison University (‘92) and a NSCAD graduate (‘98) with a fo- cus in painting, drawing, and environmental planning. In 2009 she completed her 4 year training in in shamanic healing with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies under the guidance of Michael Har- ner and Alicia Gates. Beth is currently participating in a long term weather dancing study with Nan Moss and David Corbin in Maine. “Healing  is shared between humans and the natural world when we create sacred space in partnership with our environment. When we enter into that space with Mother Earth, we heal ourselves, those around us, and the planet. My intention is to share this healing space through the doorways of  art and creative classes,  flower essences, spiritual healing and wisdom circles.“ Beth creates Starflower Healing Essences and paintings,  holds a private healing practice  and shamanic journey circles, from her home and healing clinic in Chester. She is currently designing a full year program for women to explore their sacred connection to Mother Earth through healing, ritual, art, and shamanic journeying. To contact Beth: www.bethlenco.com email hidden; JavaScript is required