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ENCAMPMENT
VISION pages
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continued...
The
Encampment Vision
 I
saw a stretch of road which led northward through a huge forest
of trees. The forest and valley which stretched below it were
filled with plants of every kind. Bushes, trees, grasses, ferns
and flowers.
To the right of the road (east), the trees had been cleared
for a parking lot which at first seemed out of place in all
this beauty. However great thought had been taken to preserve
the natural feel of the surroundings and to preserve the environment.
The lot was arranged pleasingly and was planted with stands
of trees for privacy. Many vacation vehicles such as RVs and
campers were parked here. Interspersed throughout this lot and
in the trees surrounding it were many camping spots with pop-up
campers or tents of all sizes. People went quietly about, setting
up and tending to their camps and visiting with one another.
I sensed their spirits were happy and serene.
I continued along the road until I came to another lot, also
to my right. This was full of pickups, vans, SUVs and cars.
It too felt peaceful and serene. People here were gathering
belongings from their vehicles and walking across the road.
There the trees and undergrowth were thick and uninterrupted
except for a wide path which led westward into the forest. I
turned and followed some people along this path until we came
to two beautifully carved totem poles standing tall on either
side of the path. These could not be seen from the road and
marked the formal entrance to the Encampment itself. A sign
read: "Hushed voices only please. You are entering sacred ground."
Beyond the entrance the main path continued ahead with many
side paths leading off into the trees. These led to clearings,
small and large, where traditional Native tipis (teepees) had
been erected. Some camps held single tipis, others, family groups.
Each camp was nestled into the forest in such a way as to provide
a cozy and private living area.
I continued westward along the main path until I arrived at
the center of the Encampment where several long houses were
arranged around a central clearing or commons area. Built of
logs, split and framed in traditional fashion, these served
various purposes. One long house contained administration offices
and medical facilities. Others held sleeping quarters for those
not wishing to camp outdoors. On the south side stood the Great
Long House, a community center for meetings, guest speakers
and for instructional classes in survival skills and basic handcrafts.
It also held indoor and outdoor cooking facilities where all
meals were prepared for the permanent residents of the Encampment
as well as year-round seasonal visitors. Communal meals were
served buffet style outside in the central clearing or, on rainy
days, inside the Great Long House. |
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