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The Heart of the
Community
 The
Village House will be built in a traditional way, set
partially into the Earth, with the roof supported by
interior and perimeter posts. The shape will be that of a
turtle shell, honoring the sacred symbolism of this creature
that represents Mother Earth. When participating in
ceremony, teachings or gatherings, men, women, and children
will descend into a 1500 square foot room, lit by a central
fire and by light entering from a gap in the ceiling. They
will sit on the dirt floor or on benches that curve around
the perimeter, to face the central ceremonial and teaching
space. Rather than a place set apart, it will be a place set
within, deeply grounded in the Earth, lit by sky and fire.
Consideration has been made in the building design for
the shaking of the Earth at the Canyon, so close to the San
Andreas Fault. Construction practices will be both sound and
sacred. The builder has experience with similar structures;
engineering work will be carefully checked and the building
inspected for safety. Elders and ceremony leaders are
involved in the planning for the Village House and its use.
Youth, in particular, will play an important role in
preparing the land and assisting with construction and
maintenance - in so doing, tying themselves strongly to the
Canyon and to ceremony.
 Care
will be taken to protect the land, water, air, animals and
plants. An environmental impact study will be conducted with
the assistance of University researchers and professionals
from the Indian Canyon community. Infrastructure costs
will include measures such as erosion control and composting
toilets to protect the environment from impacts of
construction.
Maintenance of the Village House and Indian Canyon
infrastructure will be carried out by participants in
gatherings and ceremonies, and by participants in youth
programs. Financial contributions toward ongoing repairs and
improvements will be made by these participants, by tribes
and private donors. |
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A Friend of
Indian Canyon built this website to raise awareness of the
proposed Village House in Indian Canyon. For further
information contact Ann Marie Sayers, tribal chairperson, by
email or phone at
831-637-4238. For information
about this website please contact
webmaster.
Revised:
03/17/08.
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