ANCESTRAL SKILLS GATHERING
EARTHKIN
June 28th - July 5th. 2024
Earthkin Ancestral Skills Gathering takes place just after the summer solstice on Stʼatʼimc territory on a breathtaking large lake in the Coast Mountains of BC. It is a time when we camp out on the land together to practice ancestral earth-based skills. We gather to remember how to be in direct relationship with the earth and in rhythm with an intergenerational circle of humans. Be part of the revival of ancestral skills as we craft, revel, and connect together in an incredibly wild place. A cohort of knowledgeable instructors who have honed expertise on their topic will offer 5 days of classes to participants seeking to learn ancestral skills. Examples of these skills include friction fire, willow weaving, hide tanning, wet felting, martial arts, scout skills, herbal medicine, natural pigments, primitive weapons, fibre and textile arts, animal processing, flint knapping, nature awareness, wildlife tracking and many more. The gathering is also a special time where we co-create connective cultural experiences and traditions such as a trade blanket show, a barter fair and a wrestling circle to name a few.
REGISTRATION
Ticket Prices
(We have included 5% for GST in all ticket prices)
Adult Early Bird (Before May 15th) - $551.25
Adult Regular (After May 15th) - $603.75
Youth (13 - 17 years) - $262.50
Children (4 - 12) - $210
Wee (1 - 3 years) - Free
Ticket Price includes
5 days of ancestral skills classes.
6 catered dinners featuring local, wild and organic foods.
Facility costs
A week of camping in a breathtaking place.
Instructor networking and organization
The ticket cost also includes helping instructors with part of their travel costs and meals for the week. Instructors come to teach for free, which is a tradition of generosity that all other ancestral skills gatherings follow. Some instructors may charge small additional materials fees, so we encourage you to bring cash to participate in some classes. As with other gatherings like this, class schedules will not be available until the event starts.
To Register
1. Click the ‘Register Now’ button below and fill out the registration form.
2. Pay for your ticket through e-transfer. Please send to the email: earthkingathering@gmail.com (Make sure to include your name in the notes on the e-transfer).
3. Once registered, we will send you a welcome email with logistical details for the week. Including driving directions, site maps
4. For Americans PayPal is available. Email address earthkingathering@gmail.com
Parking
We would like to strongly encourage carpooling to limit impact on the land. You can plan this on the Facebook group HERE.
There is a $30 fee for on-site parking.
Parking on-site is only available for vehicles with 4X4 as the driveway is very steep.
For anyone not parking on-site we ask that you drive to Seton Portage and we will shuttle you to the property.
LOGISTICS
Life In Camp
The gathering is an all week camp out on off-grid lands so attendees are asked to come camping self-sufficient. There will be many sites for tenting and a few sites for car camping. Composting toilets service all of nature’s callings. Water is from a spring-fed creek that runs through the land.
Family Friendly Gathering
We want to create a gathering that incorporates families and future generations. There will be a half day Kids and Youth camp for those aged 5-12 during the 5-day week which families can sign-up their children for. Some instructors may also offer kid & youth specific classes.
Location
Earthkin Ancestral Skills Gathering takes place on N’quatqua (Anderson Lake, BC), which is part of unceded Stʼatʼimc territory located in the Coast mountains between Pemberton and Lillooet, on 120 acres of off-grid land. The site is on a stunning and refreshing 28 km long lake nestled in the steep coast mountains. It is full of old growth ponderosa pine, douglas-fir, and abundant saskatoon berry. A place so expansive it is home for black bear, cougar, wolves, coyote and wolverine. It is also a place that reinvigorates the wild in the human spirit.
Travel Preparations
We are located on Anderson Lake, BC on KM23 of the Highline Road/Anderson Lake Road between D'Arcy and Seton Portage. The Highline Rd. is unpaved. A 4x4 or AWD vehicle is best for getting here but it is still possible to get here in a 2x2 vehicle. From Vancouver, it takes 4-4.5 hours to get to the site. Attendees are strongly encouraged to carpool. Check out the FB rideshare HERE.
INSTRUCTORS
About the Instructors
For 2024, twenty-five skilled instructors will be joining us for at Earthkin Ancestral Skills Gathering. They will be sharing their expertise in; friction fire, natural pigments, sheep hide tanning, primitive pack frames, herbal medicine, willow basket weaving, wet felting, woodcraft, atlatl and dart making, scouting, hunting, animal processing, natural navigation, and more.
~ We will add the bios of the instructors teaching at Earthkin gathering 2024 as we receive them ~
General Schedule
Friday June 28th
@12pm - Site opens for folks to set-up their camps.
Saturday June 29th
@ 2PM - Instructors promote their classes
@ 5:30PM - The first group dinner will be served
@ 7:30PM - Opening Circle to kick off the gathering!
Sunday June 30th - Thursday July 4th
5 days of ancestral skills classes.
Each night after dinner there will be evening
happenings such as a barter fair
(bring your crafts to sell/trade), a trade blanket,
a shine your light show, and a wrestling circle
to name some of the cultural activities.
Friday July 5th
All attendees leave.