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Still Standing with Standing Rock

Report from Inside the Oceti Sakowin Camp, December 2016

Representing for Gaol Naofa at Standing Rock, Oceti Sakowin, Dec 2016Representing for Gaol Naofa at Standing Rock, Oceti Sakowin, Dec 2016

There are representatives from hundreds of indigenous nations all over the globe, as well as many non-indigenous allies that I met who came from all over the country and the world, including Italy, France, China, Japan, Peru, Mexico, Norway and many more. There are Hindus, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, pagans, and likely polytheists (aside from myself) and many others who all gathered to offer their prayers at the central sacred fire in solidarity with our indigenous relatives, and we are all welcome. An Apache Elder even gave a shout out at the fire specifically honoring the Irish and Scottish, and those Americans of Gaelic and Celtic descent, who have joined them from all over.

This is an indigenous-centered movement with the world’s support and it should absolutely include us as Gaelic Polytheists, who see water – and the rivers who carry it – as sacred. We must also remember this is an issue of indigenous sovereignty and we are gathering to bring to light the atrocities committed against the Lakota, and all indigenous peoples, so that justice may be served and amends made.

On Sunday, Lakota Elders made an announcement at the sacred fire that they were officially going to forgive the U.S. Military for the killings of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse (this is a huge deal). As everyone listened (and cried) as they made that announcement, new life was breathed into hope for a better future for the indigenous people of Turtle Island and a better relationship between Native people and those living in occupied territory.

It’s not over, there is a long way to go, raise up your prayers and song, send donations, go to Standing Rock and help and see what it looks like to have a world united with Indigenous peoples working for a common goal. It is beautiful and also terribly sad considering what it has taken for it to finally get to this point.

Mni Wiconi!
Is Beatha é an t-Uisce!
‘S e an t-Uisge a’ Bheatha!
Water is Life!

Breandán Mac Suibhne,
An Chomhairle Ghaol Naofa


If you are considering going to Standing Rock, you must be prepared for harsh winter camping conditions, with subzero clothing and sleeping gear, and a winterized tent. If you are non-Native, you will also need to read the cultural protocols to prepare yourselves for how camp life is run. Read the regular updates posted on The CAORANN Facebook Page, and follow the people in camp whose updates are shared there.
The informational packets at this site go particularly in-depth about how to avoid culture-shock, and how not to act in a colonial or otherwise disruptive manner. We strongly recommend you read them if you are going.

December 6, 2016

Memes

Those of you who follow us on social media may have seen the memes we’ve been creating. We’ve added a page to the site to archive the ones we’ve done so far, and where we’ll be posting more in the future: Gaol Naofa Memes.

We’ve been working with a mixture of proverbs, prayers, triads, and quatrains from various Goidelic sources, doing our bit for language preservation and providing links for further info. For regular updates follow us at our Gaol Naofa Facebook page and Twitter account.

Gaol Naofa – New Moon
Original image: Dawn Perry

September 15, 2015


Bennacht nime, nél-bennacht,
Bennacht tíre, torad-bennacht,
Bennacht mara, íasc-bennacht

Gaelic Polytheism

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2017 Calendar

25 January — Burns Night
31 January — Gealach Ùr
1 February — Lá Fhéile Bríde
1 March — Gealach Ùr
17 March — Lá Fhéile Pádraig
18 March — Sheelah's Day
25 March — Là na Caillich
29 April — Gealach Ùr
1 May — Lá Bealtaine
28 May — Gealach Ùr
21 June — Grianstad an tSamhraidh
27 June — Gealach Ùr
5 July — Laa Tinvaal
26 July — Gealach Ùr
1 August — Lá Lúnasa
24 August — Gealach Ùr
23 September — Gealach Ùr
29 September — Là Fhèill Mìcheil
22 October — Gealach Ùr
31 October — Oíche Shamhna
21 November — Gealach Ùr
30 November — Latha Naomh Anndra
21 December — Gealach Ùr
21 December — Grianstad an Gheimhridh
26 December — Lá an Dreoilín
31 December — Hogmanay