WATERFALL UNITY CELEBRATION

CLARA SOARING HAWK

Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk (Deer Clan) is an honored elder and Ambassador for the Ramapough Lenape Nation. She defines herself as a “Spiritual Ecologist” and has facilitated ceremonies at spiritual gatherings around the world.  Grandma Clara’s life-purpose begins and ends with her family, both biological and spiritual. She has been called by her Creator to work with the youth of the planet. “In this time of Global turmoil we must all be open to a new level of consciousness. We stand for the Water.  We stand for the Land.  We stand for the People.
We are the Sweet Water Protectors! A’ho!” Kiiloona Lunaapeewak ~ We are all One People

KAWENNIIOSTA JOCK

Kawenniiosta Jock, Kanien’kehá:ka, Wolf Clan.  She is an activist, land protector, master seamstress and artist. Kawenniiosta has helped develop traditional support, cultural teachings and language preservation within the tribe and is a traditional full-spectrum doula who uses indigenous methods and medicines. Kawenniiosta is an alumna of the Akwesasne Freedom School and is passionate about her people and culture. 

KANERAHTIIO ROGER JOCK

Kanerahtiio Roger Jock (Bear Clan) is a Kanien’kehá:ka leader from the Akwesasne Reserve who carries a vision of return for his people to their ancestral lands in the Mohawk Valley of New York. Kanerahtiio has taught cultural awareness all over the U.S. for over 40 years as part of the White Roots of Peace Movement.

SANDRA DEER-STANDUP

Sandra Owén:nakon Deer-Standup is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kahnawa:ke (By The Rapids).  She has been involved in land defense and political activism for sovereign rights for her people since she was 6 years old. A mother, wife, aunt, great-aunt and grandmother, Owén:nakon has taught elementary and early childhood education in the Kanien’keha language for over 20 years.  She has been an educational administrator, curriculum writer and consultant; has published several published academic papers; and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in education at McGill University. 

BETHANY YARROW

Bethany Yarrow sings music of power and praise. She is a song keeper, earth activist, and student of the spiritual traditions of the Americas. With a living prayer for unity at the heart of her music, she uses her voice to  help protect the land & water and build community and collaborative solutions to address the existential threats of our time.

PETER YARROW

Peter Yarrow has harnessed music to unite hearts in common purpose, knowing that when music brings people together, it has a unique ability to catalyze and hasten positive change. From Peter, Paul & Mary to today - Yarrow has been committed to advocating for positive social change dedicating his time and talent over the years to equal rights, peace-building, education, preservation of the environment, and more. 

SACHEM HAWKSTORM

Sachem HawkStorm, hereditary sachem (chief) of the Schaghticoke People, is a fierce advocate for the rights of his people as well as other indigenous peoples in the New York region and beyond.

His work focuses on cultural heritage, education, and tribal sovereignty. 

Sachem HawkStorm has participated in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, focusing on economic and social development, cultural preservation, water and food sovereignty, self-determination, human rights and environmental justice.

ROBERTO MÚKARO BORRERO

Roberto Múkaro Borrero has a distinguished and diverse background in policy & program development, and human rights advocacy, including a specialization on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.  A published writer, an accomplished artist, and musician,  Borrero is a member of the Taíno Tribal Nation, an Indigenous Peoples whose traditional homelands extend through the Greater & Lesser Antilles to the Southern tip of Florida in the U.S. In 2012, he was traditionally sanctioned a kasike (chief) of the Guainía Taíno tribal community.  

THE HEARTSTRINGS PROJECT

The Heartstrings Project is an indie folk & americana group from the woods of New York’s Hudson Valley. The band is comprised of Luke Wygodny, Marina Pires, Nyssa Grant and Samuel Quiggins. Through multiple instruments and voices the group balances careful craftsmanship to seamlessly move between harmonies, creating textural landscapes that range from etherial cinematic ballads to traditional foot stomping folk anthems. The result is an intentional performance capturing in-the-moment chemistry of longtime friends making music with the mission to carry on the tradition of truth telling.

JON LEE RUCKER

Jon Lee Rucker offers songs about human beings relationship with the Earth, uniting as one to leave a bright future for the next generations. 

Currently building a family and a farm called Wild Beauty in Olivebridge NY, and continuing many years of community building.

WIHSE

Taierakieh "Wihse" Benedict (Wolf Clan) is a Kaniekehaka Rotiskerakhete from the Akwesasne Mohawk territory who comes from a traditional family a two time champion smoke dancer and a ceremonial and social dance singer also a third generation iron worker who has work all over United States and Canada and promotes the knowledge of traditional teachings and the ceremonial structure of the long house people