Diane Longboat, Kahontakwas
Speaker of the Governing Council

Speaker of our Governing Council Diane Longboat, Kahontakwas, a Mohawk, Turtle Clan woman from Six Nations, is a ceremonial leader, traditional teacher of Indigenous spiritual ways and a healer. She is a professional educator, with a graduate degree in education and has taught and lectured at Universities in Canada and many national and international conferences and gatherings on the topics of spiritual renewal as the guiding force for nation building.

From 1976 to 1994, Diane was director of research programs and educational offices both provincially and nationally with First Nations organizations. Her leadership responsibilities at the Sacred Fire of the Great Peace (located at Six Nations) include conducting many ceremonies that minister to the needs of her people.

She does this not only for Indigenous people, but also those who respectfully seek spiritual direction to guide them on their journey through life.

Many dreams, visions and the cherished guidance of Elders have brought Diane to a place of deep spiritual commitment to the service of the Will and Words of the Creator for the rebirth of humanity and the renewal of Mother Earth.

The myriad of ceremonies and services offered by Diane and a dedicated group of spiritual leaders who have trained with her for almost two decades are now being housed in a non-profit organization to enable the work to receive donations from scores of individuals and allied foundations whose lives and work have been empowered by the connection to Natural Law and Spiritual Law blessed through the power and the presence of the Creator at the Sacred Fire of the Great Peace.

Dora (Vivi) Silverstein

Fourteen years ago, Vivi was introduced to the Ancient ceremonies and medicines of the Indigenous Peoples of North America. She was moved and humbled by their unconditional love and by the strong connection they have with the Creator and with the land. Through the ceremonies of the Indigenous Peoples, her love for the Creator and all of creation grew. Her heart is full when helping children to find their voice and purpose in life.

To read Vivi's Personal Story, click here...

Francesco (Frank) Mannella

Frank spent much of his life on a quest for truth. He became involved in different spiritual traditions such as Christianity, Egyptology and Judaism. He met his teacher Diane Longboat fourteen years ago and through her, was introduced to the sacredfire – the centerpiece of all Indigenous ceremonies. As he spent time by the fire, he realized that his quest had finally led him to a place of truth, where he has remained ever since. Frank is a gifted teacher and visionary. He leads men’s healing circles each month and was instrumental in receiving a vision for the lighting of a sacred fire that has continued to burn for over four years now. It is tended daily with prayers and offerings for peace, brotherhood, spiritual growth, and the healing of Mother Earth and all of humanity.

To read Frank's Personal Story, click here...

Cynthia (Cindy) White, Kawennanoron
Treasurer to the Governing Council

Cynthia M. White is Hotinonshonni, Onondaga Snipe Clan from the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne. Her Mohawk name is Kawennanoron. It translates to “Precious Words.” She currently lives in the Six Nations Grand River Territory in Southern Ontario, Canada, where she has been training and working as a Ceremonial and Spiritual Leader since 1994. Cynthia’s journey has been one of healing and one of discovery. The path has taken her from her formal training as a Registered Nurse and Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, to a Spiritual path in one of the most original and most ancient traditions of Indigenous People. Cynthia travels throughout North America and the world to teach about living a sacred way of being through healing and communication with Spirit.

To read Cindy's Personal Story, click here...

Jacqueline (Jackie) Ryan
Secretary to the Governing Council

Jackie Ryan is a graduate of McMaster University where she received her bachelors in Kinesiology. In her journey, she experienced the trials and sickness of heart that many young people face, and endeavored to find a way forward to find meaning in life. Through the strength of the prayers of the women in her lineage (both living and passed into the Spirit World), her pathway led to the Sacred Fires of the Indigenous Peoples.

After graduating, she met her teacher Diane Longboat, Kahontakwas and has spent the last 14 years totally dedicated to engaging in her own healing and spiritual training. Through the ceremonies of the Indigenous people, Jackie has rediscovered the Creator, Mother Earth, her Spirit Helpers, and her Ancestors. It is through her Ancestral work that she has earned back (and continues to work to earn back) the Ancient traditions and ceremonies that her own people once carried.

Jackie’s passion and calling is working with children. She organizes and runs weekly children’s ceremonies, spiritual summer camps for youth, wilderness canoeing and hiking expeditions, and is involved with the new Children’s Lands initiative. She is currently developing a new model of education, a new pedagogy and new milestones in child development that are empowered by spiritual guidance and will assist the gifted children of this millennium to walk as the next generation leaders.

To read Jackie's Personal Story, click here...