Wayfinders Circle As Far As The Eye Can See

The second global Wayfinders Circle gathering happened in Mongolia and brought together 14 of the 15 members of the alliance.

The second in-person Wayfinders Circle global meeting took place in Mongolia from June 29 to July 6, 2024. The gathering included 29 Indigenous leaders representing 14 out of 15 members of the Wayfinders Circle. Participants included Indigenous leaders from the Gabbra People of Kenya, the Ju/’Hoansi of Namibia, the Achuar of Ecuador, the Wampis of Peru, the Blackfeet of the US and Canada, the Lhoba of Nepal, the Udege of Russia, the Sámi of Sweden, and the Heiltsuk of Canada, as well as from Rapa Nui, Warddeken of Australia, the Native American Land Conservancy of the US, Sungai Utik of Indonesia, and Hin Lad Nai of Thailand. Spiritual leaders from the World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners (WUISP) and its Mongolia-based Secretariat, Arga Bilig, hosted the meeting. The gathering also was attended by members of Nia Tero and Pawanka Fund, conveners of the Wayfinders Circle alongside WUISP. 

The objectives were to strengthen the Wayfinders Circle and agree on a shared vision for the future of the alliance, as well as for the members to learn about and participate in ceremonial and cultural exchanges led by WUISP elders. Those goals were achieved through meaningful interactions, shared experiences, and exchange of knowledge among all Wayfinders Circle members.  

The gathering began with a powerful opening ceremony led by Buyanbadrakh, a WUISP elder from Mongolia. The ceremony, rooted in ancient traditions, aimed to unite the participants spiritually. A ceremonial bowl was used in the ceremony, brought by Achuar members who had been entrusted with it during the last global gathering in Ecuador in 2022. This bowl, filled with sacred herbs, symbolized the continuity of knowledge and the connection between past, present, and future. As the fire was lit, the smoke rose to the skies, carrying the prayers and intentions of all present. The WUISP elders will care for the bowl until the next Wayfinders Global gathering, when they will pass it on to the next hosts. 

This opening ceremony led to a day-long first mare’s milk ceremony, guided by shamans, elders, and members of a Mongolian nomadic community. The event, held in the stunning landscape of the Mongolian steppes, was one of the highlights of the gathering. With no fences or gates, the animals grazed freely, embodying the freedom and harmony of the nomadic way of life. The ceremony included several rituals, some led by nomadic horse breeders and others by shamans. The hosting community demonstrated great skill using traditional methods to lasso and handle the foals. The mares instinctively approached and stayed close, allowing themselves to be milked. The first mare’s milk of the season holds deep cultural significance for Mongolian nomads. The blessed milk is considered sacred and is often used in rituals and ceremonies, believed to carry the blessings of the Earth and sky, symbolizing the renewal of life and the enduring relationship between humans, animals, and nature.  

Molu Kulu, a Gabbra Wayfinders Circle member from Kenya, and an elder of WUISP, was invited to give a traditional Gabbra ceremonial blessing of a foal, demonstrating a deep sense of interconnectedness and respect for all beliefs and spiritualities that transcend borders and religions. “We have established traditions for managing our lands. And we have been consistently caring for wildlife since the past. We will not relinquish our land or claim that it belongs to others. Together, we will work the land that is in our possession, ensuring that both the wildlife and the forests are preserved. We cannot give it to anyone,” he declared during the ceremony.  

Throughout the gathering, the Wayfinders Circle members discussed and exchanged ideas on topics that included: transmission of Indigenous languages, fire management, traditional knowledge, sustainable management of the territory, pastoral and nomadic practices, spirituality, protection of sacred sites, tourism, and Indigenous economic practices. These discussions underscored the diverse challenges faced by Indigenous communities, as well as their resilience and innovative strategies employed in maintaining their cultural heritage and managing their territories. The exchange of knowledge not only inspired but also reinforced each members’ commitment to mutual support and collaboration. 

Wayfinders members also engaged in discussions about the structure of the Wayfinders Circle and the roles they may assume within its governance. These discussions aimed to clarify the organizational framework and ensure that the development of the Wayfinders Circle aligns with the interests, priorities, and principles of all its members.  

Throughout the gathering, various Wayfinders members took the opportunity to share their own ceremonies, explaining the deep meanings behind each symbol and belief. Whether through a simple prayer, song, or dance, each member participated with pride, bringing the essence of their peoples and communities into the circle.  

• Kuja Waakiach, and Milton Vargas from the Achuar Nation of Ecuador offered a spiritual ceremony centered around the sacred use of tobacco. They began by explaining how tobacco ceremonies are a vital spiritual practice that includes fasting and visiting a sacred waterfall, where they connect deeply with the spiritual world.  
• Tatyana Kobezhikova, a shaman by birth from the Akh-Khaskha (“White Bone”) clan of the Khakass People from Russia, and an elder with WUISP, conducted a ceremony to communicate and connect with Mother Earth, the ancestors, and the blue sky.  
• Mulu Songphonsak, Prof. Chi Suwichan, and Lek Niraporn, of the Karen People of Thailand, offered a ceremony rooted in the traditional practice of "Kwan" or "Bai Sri Su Kwan." After prayers and explanations, they shared a sacred thread, which was tied to each participant’s wrist as a blessing. This ritual offers protection and good luck and binds the spirit to the body. Tying the string on the right wrist for women and the left for men symbolizes balance and harmony between genders and is believed to secure well-being, promote health, and foster a sense of community. 
• The Rapa Nui representatives, Lynn Rapu and Isabel Pakarati, led a ceremony that included offerings of traditional foods. Dressed in their ceremonial clothing, they sang and chanted in the Rapa Nui language. After the blessings, Isabel performed a Kai Kai, a traditional practice combining storytelling, oral history, and intricate hand movements with strings, deeply rooted in the island’s heritage and used to pass down stories, myths and history from generation to generation.  

Wayfinders Circle members returned to their homes with deep connections, mutual respect and admiration for each others’ spiritual practices, and a stronger commitment to carrying forward the values and sharing the messages of the Wayfinders Circle.