Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Claire Kaplan <>]

Sharon Snow posted this on the Women's Center director
listserve, and I asked her to send it to SAPC.
Claire

Hello Everyone,

Claire asked me to share more information with the lists about the Healing Fire that we do every April. Our press release is at the end of this message.

The Healing Fire was started at the Women's Center three years ago by then program coordinator, Stephanie Morgan, and her partner Rick Pouillat.   The Fire is a partnership with our local Women's Rape Crisis Center and Gedakina, the non-profit Stephanie and Rick started. Gedakina works to "strengthen the cultural knowledge and identity of Eastern First Nations people and to preserve our traditional homelands and Sacred places." 

The purpose of the fire is "to offer survivors of sexual violence a welcoming and comforting place to break the isolation they may feel, build community with other survivors, friends, family, and allies, and to offer a spiritual place where they can begin or continue their healing process>"   The Fire burns around the clock for four days on the lawn of the Center.  We staff it at all times with an advocate and a volunteer who are responsible for maintaining the fire and maintaining an environment that is respectful and reflective.  An advocate is someone who has been through the volunteer training that is offered by the local anti-violence agencies.  Volunteers come from the community and the UVM student body.  We believe that it is important to have an advocate here because survivors come to the fire and may need to talk with someone.  Everyone who staffs the fire goes through an orientation where they learn what is expected of them.  We limit the number of staffers to two because we don't want survivors to be intimidated about approaching the Fire.

We provide wooden sticks and ink markers so that people can write on the sticks and burn them in the Fire.  We also provide cedar, sweet grass, and tobacco for offerings to the Fire.  In addition to the sticks people are free to burn other things like letters, pictures, journals, etc. 

The feedback we have gotten from survivors who have visited the fire is that it was a healing and meaningful experience for them.  I've also heard from survivors who weren't able to come by or who didn't feel comfortable doing so that knowing the fire was burning was comforting to them.  The fire has been so successful that there will be seven Healing Fires in the state this month.

I hope that you will consider starting a tradition of Healing Fires in your state.  If you are interested,  please contact Stephanie Morgan at Gedakina.  Stephanie coordinates the Fires in Vermont and would be happy to give you more detailed information.  Her contact information is below.

Wishing you courage and some relaxing moments during SVAM.

Sharon

*********************************************
Stephanie Morgan
1060171 South Road
Woodstock, VT 05091
Ph/Fx: (802) 457-2644



PRESS RELEASE

UVM to Light Healing Fire for Sexual Violence Survivors

A Healing Fire will be ignited at the University of Vermont Women's Center at 34 South Williams Street Thursday, April 1, to raise awareness of Sexual Violence Awareness Month and to give sexual violence survivors, advocates and supporters a forum to build community.

In many cultures, fire is used as a purifier, with the smoke symbolizing cleansing on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Burlington's fire will be lighted at noon from embers transported from Montpelier's Healing Fire, and will continue burning until sunset on April 4. The opening ceremony will include remarks by Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle; Celia Cuddy, director of the Women's Rape Crisis Center (WRCC); Kara DeLeonardis, executive director of SafeSpace; and Anne Smith of the UVM Campus Advocacy Program. Survivors will be invited to speak and to make offerings to the fire, such as messages written on paper or wood, photographs and dried sage.

"I specifically chose to work on the Healing Fire committee because I have realized the importance of offering survivors a space and time where they can be supported in their experiences," says Melody Wollgren, a graduate student of social work and intern at WRCC.

The opening reception for the WRCC annual Survivors Art Show will be held directly after the healing fire ceremony in the Women's Center, where the show is displayed this year. Those interested are welcome to view the exhibit during normal working hours. People may also visit the fire, which will always be attended by trained staff and volunteers, through April 4.

Since its inception in 2002, Vermont's Healing Fire initiative has grown to include eight such events throughout the state and in New Hampshire. For specific information about regional Healing Fires, contact the Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at (802) 223-1302 or email .
************************************************************
Sharon Snow
Director
Women's Center
University of Vermont

34 South Williams
Burlington, Vermont 05401
802-656-7892
http://www.uvm.edu/~women
************************************************************
"Resistance is the secret of joy."        Alice Walker

Claire N. Kaplan, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Sexual Assault Education
UVA Women's Center
P.O. Box 800588
Charlottesville VA 22908-0588
434.982.2774 Voice/TTY
434.982.2901 Fax

http://sexualassault.virginia.edu