2025 Dance to the Star Nation Preparation
June 20, 4 pm through No Trace, June 29, 2024
Sponsored by: One Heart Circle, Honoring Sacred Grandfather Sun
We humans are living through extraordinary times that stretch our limitations into possibility. We can observe where we are in the cycles of these times and the opportunities and challenges they present. We can dream of a world in balance where our prayers weave together to guide the blossoming of ourselves and the planet.
As Grandfather Sun walks the ancient spiral, so too do we move through the turning of time, honoring the great cycles that shape our lives, our days, our every breath. Do you feel the pull to dance together in community, in ceremony?
Our Dance is the high summer ceremony that celebrates all the Suns in this Universe and their life -giving energy. Following the completion of a 20 year dedication, we are embarking on a new cycle of our Dance. Together let’s activate our prayers with all of Life by preparing, dancing, singing, and drumming into being the world that we want to co-create.
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Potter's Farm has been around for a little more than 100 years. Not many years before that, European settlers first arrived around 1893. Prior to that, the U.S. allowed lumber barons to clear most of the northwoods of Wisconsin following the 1854 Treaty which ceded this land from the Ojibwe of Lake Superior to the United States.
In the mid-1600s, the Ojibwe moved to this area where food grows on the water (wild rice) to escape the eastern Iroquois wars. Prior to that, the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Potawatomi, and Dakota resided throughout Wisconsin. All of these tribes stewarded these lands for millenia.
We honor those who have cared for this land before us. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be stewards for this sacred land and ceremony where all who come in respect are welcome. -
Some of our most expansive learning comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves. Broaden your life-view as you move with one another in community in this sacred ceremony.
This year’s Dance is dedicated to Sacred Grandfather Sun. We celebrate the power of the Light that feeds all life on this planet. Our Sun lights up each new day and reminds us of the limitless possibilities, freedom, and creativity we can foster in our lives, communities, and around the world. Celebrate this divine gift in this sacred way.
Our Delicate Lodge tradition is not tribal specific, and is open to all who come in a way of respect.
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Your Packing List:
• 1 Watermelon (per carload)
• Health and Waiver forms for each person attending (fill out the first 3 COVID questions when you are at the farm)• One COVID self-test
• Personal Water Bottle w/your name on it
• Personal Hot Beverage Container (insulated) w/your name on it
• Personal plates, bowls, and utensils in a mesh bag
• Folding Chair
• Toiletries & towel
• Work clothing: gloves, shoes, outdoor long-sleeved shirt, and pants to wear while preparing the dance wheel for the main ceremony.
• Clothing for all weather conditions and variable temperatures (it can be cool at night and in the morning)
• Sun hat and sunscreen (Farm has plenty of insect repellent)
• Rain gear (we dance rain or shine)
• Swimsuit, pareo, wrap
• Personal health items you know you will need or use
• Medicine clothes, ceremonial items, and rattles. Skirts in lengths from mid-calf to ankle are required for women.
• Medicine blanket (personal use/or shawl and more, if you have them, to share for Beauty)
• Beauty/medicine basket (if you have one) to share for Beauty’s use. Most common is African woven bolga baskets with handles
• Brightening object(s) (a small item that holds the energy of your brightest self for the meditation lodge altar)
• Photos or other representation of loved ones you are praying for to be placed at the East Gate Altar of the Dance Wheel
• Tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag if you are camping.
• Shoulder bag or small backpack to carry your things about camp
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Journal/pen -
Food is simple during this ceremony as the main focus is supporting our collective prayer. Soups, sandwiches, and healthy snacks are made available. Food allergies and common food sensitivities are taken into account.
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For this ceremony, we use no altering recreational substances. The only plant medicines used at Potters Farm are tea and coffee, and tobacco only for ceremonial prayer. We understand the world of substance use has greatly changed and we know this ceremony stands alone with its own altering capabilities, without help from the plant nation.
When you fill out your Health Form, please be honest with what substances (prescribed and recreational) you use for medical reasons. This is between you and our Health and First Aid point. It is our responsibility, should we need to call emergency services, to share this information only with other health care professionals.
Our venue, Potter’s Farm, is an alcohol and recreational drug-free zone. -
Families are important in our circle. Support for care will be arranged to engage parents in the community care for our children at different times. If you are considering bringing your children under the age of 18, we thank you for your timely registration by June 1.
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Donations may be used toward scholarships. Providing a scholarship for someone in need is a wonderful way to support the dance.
Consider a donation to support Potter’s Farm.
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We will work with you to help with carpooling, rooms, and transportation needs.
For those flying, while Duluth, MN is the closest airport to Potter’s Farm, you’re more likely to find medicine family to stay and travel with if you fly into Twin Cities (MSP) or Madison (MSN). We recommend scheduling flights back home on Monday or Tuesday after the dance.
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We always need drummers and singers for our dance. If our scheduled practice times are not working for you, please contact TreeLight, Drum Point, and he’ll work out something with you.
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Beauty needs:
Blankets
If you have colorful wool or other natural fiber blankets such as Pendleton brand blankets, we use these to beautify our lodges. Let us know if you have one or more blankets you would like to contribute for this purpose.Baskets
Beauty/medicine basket (if you have one) to share for Beauty’s use. Most common is African woven bolga baskets with handles. Please contact Beauty in early June about what you’re bringing. -
We know many of our people are vaccinated, some choose not to be, and some cannot. All sacred choices. Masks are optional for most of your time here. The exception is for those preparing and serving food. We will continue using healthy sanitation protocols. We’re asking each of you to take a rapid test in the 24 hours prior to your arrival.
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Potter’s Farm
75900 Potter’s Farm Road
Washburn, Wisconsin 54891 -
You may contact us with any questions you have about the dance.
Chief: DancingEagle (Paula Coyne)Overall Point: EagleHeart
Registration: MoonLily (Annie Hill)
Food: LightWeaver
Beauty: Goyathalay
Resources: Curtis
Health & First Aid: Rainbow Butterfly
Young People’s Support: Lions Mane
Drum: TreeLight
Rainbow Lodges: SkyWoman
Lead Dancers Prep: BearEagle Stands Tall
Leave No Trace: Lisa