The Women of Hummingbird Circle with The Drum

On Saturday the Community of the Hummingbird Circle hosted a fundraiser for Muhutasen at the Bell Arts Factory in Ventura, Ca.

                                           

We opened for some really talented artists (chronological order of performances): Goodshield Aguilar and 7th Generation Rise, Bad Dog (Mark Shark, JT, Rick Eckstein & Quiltman), Street Poets, and Richard Cabral.  My palms are up.  Mass respect.

And...For the very first time, some of the Women from the Hummingbird Circle came together around a beautiful Drum.  We sang.  We drummed.  We laughed.  We cried.  Our voices intertwined with one another creating a joyous sound as we honored so many women who came before us, who were warriors that died in battle and whom we will never forget.

Our set consisted of five songs: 

The Chumash Welcome Song introduced by our Women's Sweatlodge Leader, Ana

The Women of the 507 introduced by our Drum Leader, Lola

The Willow Song introduced by our Chumash Sister, Judi

The Women Warrior Song introduced by our Drum Leader, Lola

The Grandmothers Song introduced by our Drum Elder, Uncle Debbie

There are no words that can truly describe the feelings I have when I sit with that drum amongst all my amazing sisters.  An overwhelming sense of pride mixed with sadness for those that have passed on and we remember through our songs.   A deep ocean of gratitude and joy for the honor of being a part of Hummingbird Circle.  And Love so infinite that it is my desire that each song we sing reaches all those around the world so they too know love, community and healing.

We are Women.  We are Warriors.  We are Teachers.  We are Dreamers.  We are Sisters.  We are Singers.  We are Wisdomkeepers.  We are Healers.  We are Grandmothers.  We are Drummers.

We are The Women of Hummingbird Circle.

We are Honored and Blessed.

Front row (from L to R): Bella, Sara, Ines and Elena

Back row (from L to R): Lola, Jeanette, Uncle Debbie, Joy, Ana, Me, Andi and Judi