NAFPS Forum
General => Research Needed => Topic started by: mermaidmom on November 29, 2015, 03:52:05 pm
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First, let me apologize ahead of time, I am new to this forum, so I am sure I will unwittingly violate some protocols. My concerns are about a group called the Star Nations. It is made up of several women. However, there are two, that take are complete frauds. Sadly, I don't even know of they realize they are frauds. Denise's Facebook and various websites, site that she is a "sacred" pipe carrier, even calling referring to the pipe, in the Lakota language. Claiming to have studied with tribal elders, and medicine men and women. She is also sure to state her hourly rates for healing. Her colleague Neshi, on the other hand, is despicable. She claims to "sacred" space clearing, while wearing a jingle dress, and using her eagle feather. I'm addition to her various drum making classes. She has her followers thinking she is the Native Messiah, or at least acts the part. She is an enrolled tribal individual, who exploiting Native people, putting her own little spin on things, making us out to be, (or at least her) mystical beings. All for the almighty dollar. If she were truly trying help people, she would be broke. Because truly gifted, talented people, will not charge huge dollar amounts to help those in need. Additionally, she does not appear to have many Native friends on her Facebook. Another clue, that she does not want exposure.
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I also need to add, that Neshi was at one point (perhaps still is) an avid follower of Drunvalo. This guy is crazy! And has done his fair share of fraudulent activity.
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so do you have web site/facebook page or any evidence
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These two women run a sizeable media empire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KOp-Ab3I_M (29 videos …)
http://starnations.org
http://starnations.org/2015/09/04/denise-iwaniw/
http://starnations.org/2015/09/04/neshi-lokotz/
http://starnations.org/2015/09/06/publishers-and-co-founders/
http://www.starnationsmagazine.com/about-us.html
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/october-issue-star-nations-magazine-denise-iwaniw
https://www.facebook.com/StarNationsRadioNetwork/
https://www.facebook.com/StarNationsRadioNetwork/posts/801967306560460
http://www.starnationsradio.com/home.html
http://www.starnationsradio.com/denise-iwaniw.html
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/starnationsradio
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I ran across this person before but I cannot find the thread again...
However, being a 'pipe carrier' etc isn't Iwaniw's only way to fleece people for money - and everything she does cries "Nuage":
http://www.amazon.com/Mystic-Angels-Empowerment-Denise-Iwaniw/dp/0972200290
This is what Amazon says in presenting a 2010 book of Iwaniw:
About the Author
Denise Iwaniw is a Coptic minister, author, and intuitive teacher. As a clairvoyant medium, she conducts readings for men, women, and children from around the world. She lectures and teaches in the United States and abroad in a wide variety of areas, including psychic development, paths to spiritual enlightenment, and Reiki. She has written four books and produced five guided visualization CDs. Her latest book, A Year of Mystic Angels, and the Mystic Angels Empowerment Deck are now available. Each Monday evening at 8:00 PM EST, she hosts a weekly Internet television show entitled Mystic Journeys on the Soul's Journey TV Network: www.SoulsJourney.tv. Wednesday evenings finds Denise hosting her weekly Internet radio show, Balancing Heaven and Earth, on Soul's Journey Radio.
That Coptic business sounds a bit funny at first, but only as long as you don't look too close. Iwaniw has been doing lectures and events from them, but apparently is not doing so presently:
http://thecopticcenter.org/calendar/event/traveling-sacred-pathways-denise-iwaniw
http://thecopticcenter.org/sites/coptic/files/flyers/Traveling_Sacred_Pathways_2012.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/events/317208428386321/
Denise Iwaniw is an author, Coptic Minister, Sacred Pipe Carrier, and Thunder Dreamer. Denise lectures and teaches in the U.S. and abroad in the areas of spiritual development and balanced living. Denise has written four books and produced five guided visualization CDs, including A Year of Mystic Angels, and the Mystic Angels Empowerment Deck. Dedicated to the preservation of Native American Spirituality and Tradition, Denise is the founder and president of Gathering Thunder Foundation. Denise also hosts an IPAA award winning weekly internet radio show, "Balancing Heaven and Earth" on Soul’s Journey Radio.
http://www.e7thunders.com/documents/2012AshevilleCopticConference.pdf
This is a flyer promoting a Coptic Conference. Iwaniw is one of the speakers, and there's one Marina Raye who plays natice flute: „... Marina has been called a sonic shaman because of her mastery of the native flute“.
The flyer introduces several conference presenters:
- Robert Camp, a „master astrologer“, speaks on „The Science of the Cards and Astrology“
- John Davis - speaks on „How to Fulfill your Aquarian Destiny“
The intro further portrays Davis as "… an esoteric psychologist, counselor, author and numerologist. He is the director of Coptic Fellowship Internation, a philosophy based on the Mystery Schools of ancient Egypt."
Lori France - speaks on „In the footsteps of Hamid Bey“
Her intro claims: "She facilitates a daily study group via email on A Course in Miracles...".
Carl Franklin - speaks on „The Four Steps to Christ Consciousness“
The intro says:
"He channels the Higher Spiritual Realms and receives his information through dowsing. He determines a person's origins as to whether they carry Indigo, Crystal, or New enery... He has done over 3,000 Life Script readings, which allows one to look into their Akashic record... "
Apparently, this Ashland outfit and its fellow organisations aren't truly Coptic to begin with.
They were founded by a person who went by the name of Hamid Bey who allegedly taught them his version of Coptic faith, or probably some BS he made up. This person cannot be verified, as the name is most probably incomplete - Hamid is an Arabic first name (I'm not quite certain whether it is used by both Muslim and Christian Arabs, though), while Bey is a title. However, while we would say "Mr Smith" to one John Smith, in Arabic, this becomes Sayyed John, in Turkish, 'bey' is used and added behind the first name. So Mr Smith in Turkey would be addressed as "John-bey".
This causes several questions regarding the background of this Hamid Bey, and the info given by this 'Coptic' whatever doesn't provide much in the way of information either:
http://thecopticcenter.org/our-founder-%E2%80%94-hamid-bey
After W.W.I, Hamid decided to go to Italy and publicly demonstrate the powers he had learned in the temple training. He wanted to convince a skeptical world that there is much more to a man than the outer form. His intention was to place himself in a state of suspended animation and be buried alive six feet underground for three days.
In 1927, the magician Houdini, was attracting worldwide attention and announced that he could duplicate by mechanical ,means any so-called spiritual phenomenon ever produced. So Hamid Bey was sent to the United States in 1927 to challenge Houdini. Three weeks after Hamid arrived, Houdini died.
How convenient of Houdini....
Hamid, then not knowing any English or any of the customs, signed up as a vaudeville act under a binding two year contract. He spent the next two years, much to his disdain, doing his "act" on stage three times a day for sometimes heckling audiences. After that experience, he became great friends with Paramhansa Yogananda and traveled with him doing shows and lectures together.
To Maintain his temple rank of seven ring Master, Hamid had to return to Egypt every seven years and go through additional tests and examinations by his Master. In 1936, Hamid returned to Egypt [...]
So he went to the States in 1927, returning to Egypt in 1936. Every seven years?
Then there's this:
http://thecopticcenter.org/history-coptic-fellowship
The lineage of the Coptic Fellowship goes back thousands of years into unrecorded history. Through the ages the wisdom teachings of the ancient masters have been kept and guarded by secret organizations of the chosen few. The secret order called the White Brotherhood was formed in ancient Egypt to preserve the record of Truth. It was called the White Brotherhood because members wore pure white garments symbolic of the purity of their teachings, and met at the time of the full moon which is white in color. The Master Moses was an initiate of the White Brotherhood, and when the time approached for him to leave his physical body, he called together a chosen few to whom he entrusted the guardianship of the Truth. He gave them secret knowledge that was to be kept pure. Thus arose the secret order known as the Essenes, or the Essaioli. It was their duty to preserve the teaching of Moses through the centuries of turmoil and tempestuous times, and to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah of the Piscean Age, Jesus.
Emphasis mine
BS? Well, if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck...
Another peculiarity about Coptic faith is that, in Egypt, they use the Coptic language in church. Coptic has ceased to be a spoken language in 17th century and was only preserved in Coptic liturgy, prayers etc. This means that same as in native cultures, a genuine Coptic minister will have to be able to speak the language. If Hamid Bey had no knoledge of Coptic language to pass to his US students, then he wasn't a Copt to begin with.
From the list of presenters at the above conference it also becomes plain that these people have a very limited knowledge of Coptic faith, if any at all, because Coptic faith also does not tolerate astrology, card reading etc.
What I found searching the NAFPS boards is one thread in which Hamid Bey gets mentioned:
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=836.msg4387#msg4387
I haven't had a look at the Star Nations' site as of yet, but from what we got here, I'd say it is pretty obvious that Iwaniw is a Nuager employing various Nuage methods/theories/concepts, as long as these seem profitable.
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According to her Facebook there are several pictures of her with some women from Pine Ridge, one is named Dellmarie Bradfield. There was a some information of her and her group, conducting talking circles and speaking with elders (the caption on one picture) at the Great Dakota Gathering in Winona,MN. According to the Star Nations website this is her bio:
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She is also known as Denise Lynn Cronk and is 53 years old. I am assuming Cronk is her maiden name as there is a male named Steven Val Iwaniw
living in her household who is 52 years old.
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http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/michigan-man-donates-money-for-tribal-foster-home/article_81bd1f06-6aa6-5960-98e9-8f93f307be7a.html
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Denise Lynne Iwaniw
United States Public Records
Name Denise Lynne Iwaniw
Also Known As Denise Lynn Cronk
2nd Also Known As Name Denise Lynn Iwaniw
Residence Date 18 Jul 2001
Residence Place Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Birth Date 16 Nov 1962
Phone Number (616) 866-0760
Phone Number Recorded Date 01 Jan 2009
Address 53 Manzana Ct NW Apt 3D
Address Continued Grand Rapids, Michigan 49544
Address Date 18 Jul 2001
2nd Address 155 Michigan St NW
2nd Address Continued Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
2nd Address Date 01 May 1997
3rd Address 53 Manzana Ct NW Apt 3D
3rd Address Continued Walker, Michigan 49544
3rd Address Date 01 Dec 1983-31 Dec 1996
Possible Relatives Lois Jean Cronk, Shelly Kaye Cronk, Steven Val Iwaniw
Record Number 181025722
Citing this Record
"United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KYL4-BJ7 : accessed 2 December 2015), Denise Lynne Iwaniw, Residence, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
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Shelly Kaye Cronk
United States Public Records
Name Shelly Kaye Cronk
Residence Date 30 Dec 2000-25 Mar 2008
Residence Place Ada, Michigan, United States
Birth Date 21 Jun 1967
Phone Number (616) 682-1908
Phone Number Recorded Date 25 Mar 2008
Address 986 Dogwood Meadows Dr SE
Address Continued Ada, Michigan 49301
Address Date 30 Dec 2000-25 Mar 2008
2nd Address 3085 19 Mile Rd
2nd Address Continued Kent City, Michigan 49330
2nd Address Date 01 Dec 1993
3rd Address 770 W 4th Ave # 39
3rd Address Continued Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan 49783
3rd Address Date 01 Oct 1986
Possible Relatives Denise Lynne Iwaniw, Don L Cronk Jr, Donald Lee Cronk Jr, Taylor Cronk
Record Number 180866218
Citing this Record
"United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KYL3-SGX : accessed 2 December 2015), Shelly Kaye Cronk, Residence, Ada, Michigan, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
No image available
United States Public Records, 1970-2009
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My previous post refers to Shelly Kaye Scott who married Donald Cronk.
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I can't find any record of Denise living in any state other than Michigan. I have not been able to locate her birth record so I am
moving forward with the assumption her maiden name is Cronk or Cronk is the surname of a previous husband. She is related to
Donald Lee Cronk and Lois Jean Cronk who appear as White on the U.S. Census records.
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According to some things I have read on her, Denise says she is an apodted child.
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Thanks for that information!
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The adoption may be part of her legend. The biographical info she's given to various sites is:
http://www.soulsjourneyradio.com/about/denise-iwaniw/
A native of Georgia, Denise now lives with her family in Michigan.
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In doing some more research, Denise is the Chairperson, of the Gathering Thunder Foundation, as referenced above, in the Rapids City Journal, in regards to this foster home. I can find no information on whether or not this foster home, was ever built. What happened to the $1 million dollar pledge from the anonymous donor? The Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has Gathering Thunder Foundation listed as a non-profit entity.
Now, I pulled up the website for this Gathering Thunder Foundation. The board members and advisory members appear to be part of this whole network Denise has.... What these people, do not understand, is that it does not really take more, then a few searches on social media, to find a great deal of information. For one, a Laurie Dedecker, is listed on the board, as Tribal Liason. Her Facebook account, shows that she has no ties to the NDN community, friends, family, etc... other then Denise and Neshi. While Denise has a few, supposed Native friends and a couple of women she calls, her "sisters", from Pine Ridge. Neshi, although, her friends list is closed, there are some pictures. But, from a woman who has bio written, as if she is this higly regarded, traditional woman, with close ties to her community, she has only two pictures of herself with a family member, whom she calls her niece. The same niece is listed on the Gather Thunder Foundation's site, as an advisory member for education. Either, Neshi has no ties to the NDN community, or she does not want this aspect of her life to exposed, or it would most definitely cause problems for her, within the NDN community. We all know, how small our community actually is, relatives and friends can be easily found. ;)
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Thanks for that information, Ingeborg. Adopted or not, she was raised by a non-Native family and has placed herself on a
pretty lofty pedestal from what I have seen. She claims to be a pourer, a pipe carrier and a thunder being. It's best we
wait to hear what Earth has to say about this.
I just discovered a record of her living with Steven Val and Dane Iwaniw in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Maybe I can find birth or
marriage records in Minnesota.
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Also arriving in 2015, Denise's fifth book, the much anticipated, "My Mother is Earth, My Father the Stars - The Journey of an Adopted Child."
To learn more about Denise Iwaniw, please visit her at: The Temple Within
It appears the Gathering Thunder organization collects money and sells product for the Pine Ridge reservation. However, there isn't anyone
from Pine Ridge in a director or advisory position. Denise has also posted a photo of herself with Arvol and Paula Looking Horse on the
Gathering Thunder Foundation website.
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Thanks for info Ingeborg and loudcrow
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Website: http://www.gatheringthunderfoundation.org/board/
Facebook pages:
"Community" page: https://www.facebook.com/GatheringThunderFoundation-544133888946270
"Cause" page: https://www.facebook.com/GatheringThunderFoundation
Radio show page: https://www.facebook.com/Gathering-Thunder-Foundation-Radio-Show-721726267939970
Public discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gatheringthunderfoundation
ETA:
I don't know these people. No mutual friends or groups, which, as noted above, is suspicious when *no one* knows them. I need to add this bit here. Many of us have been involved in vetting heating assistance programs. Many of us also know about the scams that happen with people claiming to raise funds for Pine Ridge or other Plains reservations, especially in winter. We always tell people to call people in the community and ask what they know about the people claiming to raise money on their behalf. It really only takes a couple phone calls.
I haven't called yet about these people, but note that there is no information here about what tribal members or heating companies they claim to be working with. It is just a request to give these white people your credit card information and send the money to them. Where is the accountability? Where is any evidence that this money goes to Natives? If I'm wrong about what I'm sensing here, I'll be glad to post a correction. But if they aren't scamming, their website sure isn't instilling confidence that a dime of this goes to NDNs.
http://www.gatheringthunderfoundation.org/new-page-1/
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Advertising Inipi on a website, with a bit that says, "Love Offering" and a donate button for credit cards: http://www.gatheringthunderfoundation.org/kids-inipi/
Here they have a page about a sacred run that they do not organize. Yet they ask for donations and don't even mention the NDNs who actually organize the run:
http://www.gatheringthunderfoundation.org/fort-robinson-break-out-run/
It goes on and on like this.
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About Neshi "Yvette" Lokotz
Ceremony and ritual have always been part of Neshi’s life, and she brings these qualities to her teaching and drum making. She infuses her teaching with a sense of the sacred yet also with an underlying feeling of joy, laughter, and passion for the work she shares.
Neshi Lokotz is a tribal member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, with Ho Chunk Nation and Yaqui Nation descent. She was raised in the traditions of Ho Chunk and Potawatomi since birth. Neshi teaches about Native American hand drums, drumming, the medicine wheel lifestyle, and space clearing through her business, Sacred Hoop.
Neshi has more than five years’ experience making drums and has taught hundreds of people how to make their own hand drums. Neshi has over 30 years of space-clearing experience and has lived the lifestyle of the medicine wheel her entire life.
Neshi is one of only about 100 certified teachers in the world by the School of Remembering for the Awakening the Illuminated Heart method of ascension. Some of these teachers have studied with Drunvalo and his inspired information for years and were hand selected by Drunvalo and the Awakening the Illuminated Heart Council. Neshi has studied Drunavalo’s work for over 10 years and will now be teaching the Awakening the Illuminated Heart meditation throughout the United States, primarily in the Midwest.
This comes from her Sacred Hoop website
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https://www.rockethub.com/projects/49844-gathering-thunder-foundation-heating-fund-fall-2014
It appears Gathering Thunder Foundation collected $3,560 for a heating fund in 2014.
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I am particularly disturbed by Gathering Thunder Foundation collecting money for heating, suicide prevention and other
projects for Pine Ridge. There is not one Native from Pine Ridge who belongs to that organization and there does not
appear to be any accounting for the monies that have been collected.
I have not been able to find any birth or marriage records for Denise. I don't know if her maiden name is Cronk (non-Native)
or Iwanwi (Russian) or if Steven Val Iwanwi is her husband or biological brother. There are too many missing pieces to her
story and they all stink.
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I have not been able to find any birth or marriage records for Denise. I don't know if her maiden name is Cronk (non-Native)
or Iwanwi (Russian) or if Steven Val Iwanwi is her husband or biological brother. There are too many missing pieces to her
story and they all stink.
Why do you think "Iwanwi" is a Russian name? (It isn't.) — Denise has a Facebook profile where one can read this:
Married to Todd Francisco
Since September 22, 2012
From Augusta, Georgia
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Why do you think "Iwanwi" is a Russian name? (It isn't.)
I will correct myself to a certain degree. The letter "w" does not exist in the Russian alphabet. Spelled "Ivanvi" this site claims:
Approximately 4 people bear this surname
— They all live in Russia.
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I have seen on one of Denise's many pages, that her parents' names are Cronk.
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So, per their Board Members page and Facebook, their "tribal liason" looks to be a young white woman who is involved in Harner Shameonism:
(http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54278893e4b043ee968b8c4e/t/564e8eeee4b006a5dcebd7a8/1447988975821/?format=500w)
If this is her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.dedecker/posts/10201830738433040:0
Obit is for this guy: http://shamanism.org/news/2014/02/17/david-corbin-in-memoriam-1953-2014/
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Exactly, what qualifies Ms. DeDecker to be a tribal liaison? The people on both board and advisory are part of Denise's circle.
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I think I found an answer for why DeDecker is viewed as qualified for a 'tribal liaison'....
http://pandoraorg.net/DeDecker___White.html
Laurie DeDecker, RN
Laurie has been a nurse since 1985. Her focus has been in colon cancer. She developed and coordinated the Ferguson Inherited Colon Cancer Registry and provided colon cancer risk assessment services from 1995-2000. She has been collaborating with the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and Native American Cancer Research since 2004 in an effort to explore and address cancer disparities for Native Americans in Michigan.
However, DeDecker seems to be using an RN status to promote her selling of Nuage methods and concepts, f which shame-onism is just one:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-dedecker-0257a828
Owner of DeDecker Consulting, LLC - Nurse consultant for wellness, cancer prevention, public speaking and workshops. Grant work and grant writing.
- Energy Medicine Practitioner and Owner of WoodsEdge Healing.
- Teaches Certified Energy Healer Training Workshops with Contact Hours for Nurses and Massage Therapists in the Healing In America Method of Energy Medicine.
https://www.holisticcareapproach.com/practitioner/laurie-dedecker/
Laurie DeDecker, R.N. has been an R.N. for over 25 years and involved in wellness and prevention education on a local, state, and national level for over 17 years. A member of the American Holistic Nurses Association and a co-founder of Holistic Nurses of West Michigan, Laurie has had a long-time interest in holistic nursing, chronic disease prevention, and energy healing.
In an article, it becomes pretty obvious that DeDecker's experience with living conditions on a rez is rather recent. There are also lots of donations etc mentioned which it may be interesting to check:
http://hastingsreminder.com/hastings-woman-makes-run-for-the-rez-with-gathering-thunder-foundation-p5054-92.htm
Twice each year, the Gathering Thunder Foundation makes a “Run for the Rez” to deliver a truckloads of food, household supplies, clothing and other necessities to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.The mission of the nonprofit organization, based in Rockford, is to preserve Native American culture by helping meet the basic needs of those in crisis on reservations and then branching out to provide an infrastructure for a sustainable culture. Laurie DeDecker of Hastings was recently elected to the foundation’s board as a tribal liaison director. And, after two years of involvement with the organization, made her first “Run for the Rez” with 10 other volunteers in June.“For me, it was an eye-opener,” said DeDecker. “I knew about the poverty and the situation on the reservation, but to actually see and experience it first-hand really brought it home.”DeDecker said the vast distances and open land separate the beautiful reservation and its occupants from a lot of the services and conveniences most of society takes for granted.“Up north [in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula], there are little four-corners, but out there is no gas, no groceries [nearby] — nothing,” she said. “Seeing it was very helpful in making me understand the situation. There are no jobs nearby; the closest are about an hour and half away. Many of the people on the reservations have no money, no cars, no gas ... There are no simple answers for their situation.”Each time Gathering Thunder representatives deliver goods, they also try to accomplish some project. The June visit included a groundbreaking ceremony for a children’s safe house being built on the reservation.“It will be the first time there has been a safe house for children 12 and under, and that was the focus of this trip,” she said, adding that Michigan resident is donating the entire building for the safe house.“It is a pre-fab house that is being manufactured here in West Michigan,” she said. “Right now they are working on the final design and plans. Then it will be framed, and they will take it out to the reservation by flatbed.”The safe house is scheduled to be finished by the spring of 2013.“A woman from Pine Ridge is leasing the land for the safe house to the tribe; this is the first there has been a partnership with a private citizen rather than building on tribal land,” added DeDecker.Details are still being worked out as to how the building will be turned over to the tribe and the community and how to make it self-sustaining.“This project is being watched by a number of other tribes, and we’re hoping this will be a sort of pilot program that other tribes can follow,” she said. But, while details are being finalized and the safe house is being built, there are still plenty of other needs to be met, and the supplies brought to Pine Ridge on the latest Run for the Rez will help.The truckload DeDecker helped deliver included the latest batch of more than 20 handmade blankets and quilts from the ladies of the Sarah Circle at Grace Lutheran Church in Hastings.They will be distributed by Lakota Social Services through their suitcase program, which provides children entering the foster care system with a blanket and suitcase filled with necessities, said DeDecker.Gathering Thunder also delivered 40 new infant and child car seats to the reservation which were purchased with money raised through fundraisers here in West Michigan.DeDecker said the car seats will be distributed through Lakota Social Services to families that need them either for their own or for a borrowed vehicle, or when riding in someone else’s vehicle. She said No. 1 cause of death for children living on the Pine Ridge reservation is from injuries sustained while riding unrestrained in automobiles. “Things like this [the need for car seats without easy access to the money and stores to purchase them] underlines the issues and poverty facing the people on the reservation,” she said. “Things that we take for granted and seem simple in our minds can become a huge barrier out there. The principal goal of Gathering Thunder is concern for helping to preserve the tribal community and sharing with people in need.”The work of the Rockford-based organization has not gone unnoticed.“Gathering Thunder has been told that they are the first group to work with people on the Pine Ridge Reservation that has asked nothing in return. People keep asking us what we want, and we just say we’re doing this because we can; there is a need and we are about filling the need,” said DeDecker. “The poverty on Pine Ridge is one step above the conditions in Haiti, and it is appalling that in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the tribal communities live in Third World conditions and most people don’t know about it. That’s why we’re doing what we can.”DeDecker said the Sarah Circle at Grace Lutheran Church plans to continue its efforts to help Gathering Thunder’s mission by providing blankets that will now be shipped to three reservations in South Dakota and may even expand to include a reservation in Montana. She said has recently learned of another pending sizable local donation to the cause.[...]
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Denise has a daughter named Elyse Iwaniw so I think it's rather safe to assume she was married
to Steven Val Iwaniw. This being said, why is she still using the Iwaniw surname if she is, in fact,
married to Todd Francisco? That seems rather odd to me. I also did not realize she has multiple
Facebook pages. Here's the one I've been looking at:
https://www.facebook.com/Denise-Iwaniw-The-Mystic-Journey-202598593116417/?fref=ts
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They deliver blankets, huh? I find all of this to be unbelievably false. In know for many organizations and tribes that have driven out to Pine Ridge to deliver supplies. Gathering Thunder is not the end all be all, and it seems to me that, this group does in fact ask for something in return. Plenty of attention and money.
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I also need to add, that Neshi was at one point (perhaps still is) an avid follower of Drunvalo. This guy is crazy! And has done his fair share of fraudulent activity.
Neshi is one of only about 100 certified teachers in the world by the School of Remembering for the Awakening the Illuminated Heart method of ascension. Some of these teachers have studied with Drunvalo and his inspired information for years and were hand selected by Drunvalo and the Awakening the Illuminated Heart Council. Neshi has studied Drunavalo’s work for over 10 years and will now be teaching the Awakening the Illuminated Heart meditation throughout the United States, primarily in the Midwest.
This comes from her Sacred Hoop website
That last quote is right here: http://sacredhoop.net/about.php
About Bernard Perona AKA Drunvalo Melchizedek: http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=2732.0
Neshi Lokotz also has this Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/neshi.lokotz
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A little bit more about Neshi Lokotz and Drunvalo Melchizedek:
Neshi is a certified teacher of the School of Remembering for the Awakening The Illuminated Heart method of ascension and was hand selected by Drunvalo Melchizedek.
Her own web page, already quoted, is also a place for getting an impression: http://www.sacredhoop.net
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For an organization supposedly teaching or preserving Native traditions, it's striking that none of their staff or contributors are Native, except Carapella. No elders, no community leaders or activists or teachers.
Instead it's almost all dozens of white Nuagers, most of them openly so, many of them hawking their Nuage businesses and products. From their own bios:
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http://starnations.org/star-nations-magazine/about-us/
Deb Swingholm...Her journey has taken her to sacred sites and mystical places in Asia, the Middle East and Europe where she has gathered knowledge of shamanic practices, ceremonies and healing methods drawn from many cultures. A gifted intuitive...Her “Walking with the Goddess” classes and tours immerse you in the beauty and wisdom of the Divine Feminine.
Bridget Krutzik...is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant and Angel Reiki Healer.
Margaret (Meg) Annutto...is the owner of Infinite Grace...lifelong interest and passion in complimentary alternative medicine...received many certifications in the disciplines of Energy Medicine...She is a self- described practical mystic...
Terry Ruelle is the owner of Pathways Holistic Counseling Services...a certified Acupuncture Detox Specialist and Registered NADA Trainer (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association). She is also a Reiki Master...teaches...basic Heart Math.
Susan J. McFarland...a contributing author to Bellesprit Magazine, Star Nations Magazine and the Coptic Fellowship Newsletter, the Inner Connection. She owns Of the Vine, llc...and offers Nutrilite vitamins and minerals.
Tami Gulland...teaches how to partner with Angels...bridges the gap between business strategy and spirituality...an Angel Therapy Practitioner® and Certified Medium...her Permission to Prosper™ Success Tool Kit.... [registered trademarks are a nice sooper spirchul touch]
Stephen Schmidt has been a student of Metaphysics and Spirituality for over 20 years. He is an Intuitive, an Akashic Records Consultant and a Level II Ama-Deus healer as well.
Patti Heredia is a...registered Colon Hydrotherapist...and a trained Upledger Craniosacral therapist.
Nicole Fix...is a Reiki Master and Ama Deus healer.
Amantha Murphy is a Shamanic Healer & Teacher from Ireland who follows the path of the Goddess...a clairvoyant... trance mediumship.
Monica Schwartz... is a...time traveler and aspiring teleporter...
Sandra L. Harrick...has been working in the field of psycho/Spiritual healing for over 40 years.
Laurie DeDecker...is a certified practitioner and trainer in the Healing in America method of energy therapy.
Leslie Cirinesi...specializes in Animal Communication and Reiki for Animals...
Rev. Laura MacLachlan...is an instructor/trainer/Metaphysical Church Pastor and Seminary Instructor.
Kristine Pollock is a professional artist. She specializes in Spirit Paintings.
David J. Sterken is a pediatric nurse, energy and shamanic practitioner, and Vice President of the Gathering Thunder Foundation.
Ortrun Franklin is an intuitive Spiritual coach, Meditation Practitioner and Mystery School instructor....
Dora Dias...is a conscious energy channel, a sound and space shifter.
Cindy Fadoir...started studying with a psychic in Florida in the ’80’s. She developed her psychic intuition, especially in Psychometry and Card Readings...studying Tarot and Mediumship. Cindy has offered Intuitive Readings professionally since 2003...Cindy currently offers Intuitive Readings, Reiki Healings and Astrologer-in-Training Readings at the Higher Self Bookstore, “a Modern New Age store...
Concepcion Castellanos...has taught...sacred geometry and the MerKaBa for over 20 years.
Julie Hedges is a Reiki Master and teacher of Tarot and Astrology...
Tune in each month as Julie hosts The Tarot Journey on Star Nations Radio Network...
Cindy is currently a certified Usui Reiki Master, an Advanced Seichim Reiki Practitioner and a Registered Karuna Reiki Practitioner. Cindy also holds certifications in Divine Grace Healing and Seraphic Wisdom...
Brenda Edwards is co-owner of Quantum Life Management Center...where she combines her gifts of channeling, Life Coaching, healing, and teaching....She also has a passion for Zumba and is an instructor.
Reverend Elizabeth Cosmos, PhD, ThD is an author, lecturer and oral traditional carrier for Ama-Deus method of healing...
Carl Franklin has been an Ordained Minister for over 40 years...author of the highly acclaimed “Alpha Breakthrough Series” of self help CD’s; a metaphysical researcher; international presenter/workshop leader and hosts two internet radio shows which focus on Ascension.
Adrianna Lesniak, is a third generation psychic...a Sacred Triad Practioner, a Psychic Intuitive Medium, life coach, Reiki Practioner...She continues to study the Ancient Tetragrammatons...
Andrea Adler...the “Metaphysical Marketer.”..founder of Holistic PR...integrates spiritual practice and psychological self-inquiry into a domain not usually associated with spirit: marketing.
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Tara Rietberg, Secretary for The Gathering Thunder Foundation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-rietberg-2914a1b
http://thecopticcenter.org/related-sites-coptic-ministers
According to LinkedIn, Tara is a retired Administrative Asst. for the Grand Rapids School District. She is also a listed on The Coptic Center, as a minister.
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David Fix, Director of Social Media, Gathering Thunder Foundation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-fix-aa34b110a
Maureen Wolverton, Education Liason
https://www.gvsu.edu/liberalstudies/maureen-wolverton-36.htm
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-wolverton-9641a312
https://www.pinterest.com/mowolverton/
http://thecopticcenter.org/media-video/maureen-wolverton-jungian-perspective
And you have already read info on the Treasurer of Gathering Thunder, Neshi.
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The Native events they list on their website... they are falsely implying that they run other people's heating efforts and language preservation groups. They request that donations be sent to their group of white people instead of to the actual organizers (who are NDN). This looks like a clear effort to siphon money away from NDNs and NDN cultural preservation work.
Not only are the NDNs who actually run those events not named or linked to... I've been checking these out and so far no one even knows these white people. I smell fraud.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHgONv7CdVM
Neshi Lokotz, You Tube video
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This group is making my blood boil. Yells is absolutely correct... they are requesting donations for projects they more
than likely have nothing to do with and are steering donators away from the organizations who actually do the work.
It's simply disgusting.
Were those folks at their Awakeing sick or something? I'm just wondering why the need to do a jingle dress dance for them.
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http://www.nonprofitfacts.com/MI/Gathering-Thunder-Foundation-Denise-Iwaniw.html
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They don't appear to be sick. According to the video description it states "This is a very sacred dance asking for blessings for those who will be going into the world living from their hearts"
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvsYcUZoRfk
I feel the need to put on my boots and grab my shovel.
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Wow! After all these years I had no idea the jingle dress dance is to bless those who are ready to
go out into the world and live from their hearts! Thanks for the heads up, Neishi! I also was unaware
that such dances need to be videotaped and put on Youtube for the world to see.