Manataka Gathering Page

Manataka!
FALL GATHERING
Traditional American Indian Religious Ceremonies and Rites

NOVEMBER 5 - 7, 2004

Gulpha Gorge National Park Campgrounds, Hot Springs, AR

Hwy. 70-B between Hwy 70 East and Hwy 7 North

MAIC DID NOT RECEIVE A PERMIT FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO CONDUCT CEREMONIES AND THEREFORE, NO SPONSORED ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE. INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO CAMP OR SIMPLY COME AND ENJOY THE BLESSINGS OF MANATAKA ARE WELCOME.

Manataka has been honored in the past to welcome

many notable Elders from across the continent.

SEE CAMPING/LODGING & GATHERING PROTOCOLS BELOW


Eagle Dancer Showered by Rainbow at Manataka - 2003	Indian food, Indian stomachs

Elders in procession with Saginaw Chippewa Warrior Society	Grand Entry with Saginaw Chippewa Warrior Society - 2004

Elders stand for a hug from the Lost Cherokee Queen - 2004	Leaving the Circle up the seven steps of the sacred fire circle

Elders in red ribbon shirts prepare the circle	Elders stand to speak

Saginaw Chipppea Spiritual Leader offers prayer	Fire Keeper Chisum offers prayer

Sharon Kamama Baugh - Women's Council Chair 1997-2004	Manataka Medicine Lodge

Saginaw Chippewa Warrior Society Color Guard Members	Saginaw Chippewa Warrior Society

Elders on the bench	Posting the colors

CAMPING & LODGING

Gulpha Gorge Campgrounds - Camp sites at $10.00 per night on a first come, first serve basis. No spaces are reserved. Please do not ask one of the staff to "hold" a space for you. Facilities include a dump station, and restrooms. No electricity or showers.

Hot Springs KOA - Hwy 70 East, Exit 4 501-624-5912 Full hook ups.

Cloud Nine RV Park - Hwy 70 East, 501-262-1998 Full hook ups.

J & J RV Park - Off Hwy 70 East, 501-321-9852 Full hook ups.

Travelier Inn - 1045 Hwy 70 East, 1-888-576-9474

Knights Inn - 1871 Hwy 70 East, 1-800-238-4891

All Seasons Lodge - Hwy 7 North & Hwy 70 East, 1-877-624-7131

DIRECTIONS:

From Little Rock - Take I-30 South to Hot Springs Exit 101, Hwy 70 West approx. 20 miles to exit 2, Hwy 70 B (Gulpha Gorge), turn RIGHT go 1 block.

From Arkadelphia - Take I-30 North to Hwy 270 Exit at Malvern, Take Hwy 270 East approx. 17 miles to Hwy 70 East, turn RIGHT, proceed through two stop lights past Quality Inn on left to next exit, Hwy 70B (Gulpha Gorge).

From Russellville (I-40) - Take Hwy 7 South approx. 70 miles just past Belvedere Country Club on LEFT. Turn LEFT on Hwy 70B (Gulpha Gorge). Go 1 mile.

From Fort Smith - Take Hwy 71 South approx. 50 miles to Hwy 270 East near Y City. Turn LEFT on Hwy 270 East and go approx. 70 miles to Hot Springs. Follow Hwy 270 through town. Highway turns into Hwy 70E/270E. Stay on Hwy 70 East. Go past Quality Inn on left to next exit, Hwy 70B (Gulpha Gorge).

From Texarkana - Take I-30 East to Arkadelphia then follow directions above.

PROTOCOLS

The Listing of these protocols is not an indication that any sponsored activities will take place.

Notice To Members and New Inductees:
If you have not been present in the sacred Fire Circle of Manataka to receive blessings and take the oath of membership:

Please gather at the Manataka Tipi Lodge before the start of ceremonies - around 9:30 a.m. You will receive important instructions about your part in the ceremonies. If you have an offering or gift to make during ceremonies, please make this known to the officiating elders.

Fire Circle -

An MAIC armband is required to enter the Circle. (See Registration)

You should be smudged before entering the Circle.

Always enter from the east and move sun-wise.

Never walk between the Fire and another person.

No eating, drinking or smoking in the Circle.

Children are not to run and play in the circle - adults included.

Idle talking in the Circle is discouraged.

Smudging -

Smudging bowls of sage, cedar and sweet grass are available for individuals to smudge themselves before entering the sacred circle.

Manataka Lodge -

Except for Elders and Clan Leaders, enter the tipi only when invited.

Remove shoes before entering.

Always move sun-wise (clockwise) around the fire pit.

Never walk between the fire and another person, walk behind.

Please do not handle objects without permission.

Children should be accompanied by an adult inside the lodge.

Sweat Lodge -

You must ask permission to enter.

Protocols for the Sweat Lodge are explained by the Lodge Elder prior to entering. The Lodge is a sacred place.

You will be asked to leave at the slightest disrespect.

Ceremonies in the lodge are done according to the ways of the tribe or nation from which the Lodge Elder received training.

A Lodge will not be opened if no qualified Lodge Elder is present and consents to performing ceremonies.



Potluck Picnic -

Paper plates, cups, napkins and eating utensils supplied.

Elders, honored guests, dancers and drummers eat first. Those who brought food eat next.

If you did not bring a food gift, you are welcome to eat and make a gift to this event.

Gifting -

If you plan to speak with an Elder or honored guest, it is suggested you offer a small gift as a sign of respect.   Please lay your gift on the gifting blanket when it is laid on the ground near the entry into the circle. (See Activities Agenda above)

Manataka operates solely on membership dues and gifts. Your help is needed to defray the cost of events and projects. Please help. Walk the talk.

Parking -     Do not park on grass or at campsites without paying. $100 fines.
Litter -          Do not throw litter on the ground - Take trash with you.

Property - Do not remove or move any stones or other objects in the Park.
Dogs -          Must be muzzled and on a leash.

Drinking - No drugs or alcohol are permitted. Security is present.
Selling -      No selling of crafts and other items is permitted.

Manataka American Indian Council
is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), cultural and educational organization.
For more information contact:
MAIC PO Box 476, Hot Springs Reservation, Arkansas 71902-0476 501-627-0555

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