We got up early and again shared some stories and experiences over the past several years. Ellen is an international keynote speaker talking on spirituality in the workplace. She is promoting a gathering of people in the year 2001 in Vancouver. She intends to bring together 2001 leading speakers teachers, elders etc.

We picked up Brandon at 2 and made it over to Nanaimo on the 2:30 ferry. We did a few messages and then made our way up to Lantzville where we attended a Sweat held for the Nanoose Band. We met the hereditary Chief Brian Bob who is Michael Dufranes associate. There was to be an afternoon Sweat, starting in the early afternoon - that was why we hurried up there - but as things go we ended up helping the team out setting up for the evening event - putting the idea of a sweat out of our mind. Terry Lynn got to organize the kitchen and I was in charge of blacking out all the windows. We were going to be attending a special ritual in the evening called an Yuwipi presented by White Cloud’s uncle - Leonard Crow Dog. Leonard is a spiritual leader of the American Indian Movement. His presence in this community is treated as an honour. At 6:30 someone said: let’s go over to the sweat. I found this rather strange since the program was to start at 7 PM, and a sweat usually takes several hours. Well, we went over to the sweat, picking up some wet firewood on the way. In the middle of the sweat, or at least after the first round Crow Dog showed up at the sweat with a number of his entourage, his nephews and helpers. We opened the sweat and welcomed them. Chief Brian Bob handed over the control of the sweat to Crow Dog and Crow Dog demonstrated his appreciation for this honour. It was a good sweat with the final three rounds being led by Crow Dog. Leaving the sweat, I almost passed out. Certainly I was very dizzy. This has been a common occurrence at my last two sweats. I must remember to get up slower. At the end we had the pleasure of jumping into the salty ocean to cool ourselves. Chief Brian Bob offered each of us a shell from the ritual alter to remember the occasion. I asked the Chief to give an additional blessing which he did. We then all went over to Chief Brian Bobs home and showered and had some water to replenish our systems. The water tasted great. I had a quick wash down as White Cloud indicated that we did not have much time. It felt strange sitting in the room at the Chief’s house, almost relaxing, but in my mind I knew there were many people waiting for us at the Band Hall. It was discussed, and we decided to stroll over to the Hall. Sure enough, when we arrived there was over a hundred people waiting. I asked for permission to video the event back at the house and it was granted first by the Chief and he deferred to Crow Dog who deferred back to the Chief. After all assurances were made that the video was going to be used for educational purposes it was agreed that I could video up to a certain point in time in the ceremony after which time I would shut down. Upon entering the Hall, a number of people informed me that it is never allowed to video a Yuwipi Ceremony, but I assured each one that I had Crow Dogs permission, and the Chiefs. I did my best to be unobtrusive in the events that followed. The ceremony was unlike anything you could ever imagine. An alter is placed in the middle of the room made out of blankets and bearskin rugs. I will not go in to describe the alter in detail because I know that it is important to understand each aspect of the component parts, so for now I will just indicate that there is a number of intricate rituals, each with its own story and meanings that establish the central core area for the main ritual that was to follow. During the main part of the ceremony the room is totally dark - and I do mean totally - no exit lights - no little red or green monitor lights on the smoke detector - pitch black - when the lights come back on, after an hour or so, there is a feeling in the air that you have been part of something special even if you do not totally understand it. After the ceremony a great pot luck dinner was presented. We were exhausted as we cleaned up and drove home at three in the morning. Well I should say we did not drive home. We dropped Ellen over at Michaels home and we went to stay with a friend of Terry Lynns, Don and Maya. I got the top bunk and was deep asleep in seconds.