Chipps Memorial Sacred Fire Ceremony

The 4-day memorial Chipps family Sacred Fire is now complete. The ceremony started as planned on the August 20th, with the altar being created in a tipi and the fire lit by bow drill at sundown. Thanks to Matt Mckinney for birthing the coal and blowing it into flame! It took a couple tries and was successful. The fire was dedicated to the Chipps and Red Elk families, with each family member being named by either Julia Chipps or Beverly Red Elk. The ancestors' presence was immediately felt in the circle and remained for the duration of the ceremony. 

 

 

 

The Sacred Fire was tended day and night by designated individuals. The men who traveled to support the ceremony took shifts over the four days/nights. While one man was tending the fire, the others either rested or gathered wood to keep the fire going. Special thanks to these men, including Matt, Ewan, Kasey, Troy, Geoff, and Tom. 

 

 

The Sacred Fire altar was tended day and night by the women who traveled to support the ceremony. Amazingly just two women kept the ceremony tended for the entire duration. Big gratitude to Candance and Kate!

 

 

The camp kitchen provided food and refreshments for all. Thanks to Geoff for holding the lead in the kitchen and his attentiveness to this critical aspect of the ceremony. Each meal was offered to the Sacred Fire and a plate of food brought to the family graves at the Chipps property. 

 

 

During the ceremony we were joined by children and/or grandchildren of the three sons of Ellis and Victoria Chipps. This was not planned but guided by spirit. Representatives of each of the family lines showed up on the land and joined the ceremony. 

 

 

One of the main highlights for everyone involved was the participation of the children. The children were an essential part of the ceremony, always wanting to drum and sing. Many times, during the heat of the day, it was just the children drumming and singing in the tipi, with the adult fire attendant. It really felt that the ceremony for healing was being held by the children with their ancestors.

 

 

On the 3rd night a powerful lightning storm occurred. There was much more lightning than thunder, as the storm was a rare "heat lightning" storm - a good sign of the ancestors' presence. 

 

 

The ceremony ended the morning of the 24th with prayers to the ancestors, letting them know that we will be alright and they can continue on their spirit journey. We acknowledge that the connections of love will never fade and that we can now release the grief of attachment and live again in health and happiness. 

 

 

I would like to personally thank all that made this ceremony and healing possible and remind everyone that the healing continues. The work of healing and turning towards health, happiness, and gratitude never stops. We must choose to make a difference for a difference to occur. Let's continue to pray, listen, and heal - and help others to do so as well. 

 

These events are only possible through the support of donations to our not-for-profit organization Bison People Land Productions. If you'd like to financially support activities and events that support the Native American families and lineages of Helpers Mentoring Society and Bison People Land, tax deductible can be made here: Bison People Land Productions

 

 

Sincerely, 

Sal Gencarelle