A special dedication written by Maria del Carmen Parra Cano
A few days ago, the communities of danzantes & ceremonial circles throughout the Southwest were heartbroken & saddened to hear of the sudden passing of one of our beloved elders and capitana de la danza for Grupo Yolloincuauhtli, Alida Earthfeather Montiel. The community is mourning the loss of such a beautiful, compassionate and resilient being.
I was honored to have been introduced to ceremonies at the guidance of Earthy (among many others) that has woven together the foundation for my community/ceremonial and healing work over the past 25 years. The first time I entered the temazcal/sweat lodge was a sunrise ceremony with Earthy & Socorro Bernasconi when I was only 16 years old in Guadalupe, Az. That was just the beginning!
At 18, I found myself at Arizona State University working on my undergraduate degree and reconnected with Earthy again after I heard the drum and ayayotes in the basement of the memorial union. As women on the red road, we would pray together in tipi, sweat and in the danza over the next 20+ years.
Years would go by and Earthy was always so kind, welcoming and always open to sharing with community. I am fortunate to have been honored to have the opportunity to drum, share songs and dance with Earthy throughout the years.
Pictured: Left- Earthy, Center- Carmen and Right - Benita (Two amazing cihuame & temachtiani to so many on earth. They are now both now in the spirit world.)
Many years later, the Cihuapactli Collective invited Earthy to share about her work in community, reviving coming of age ceremonies and the much needed support for urban Indigenous women around birth & healing.
She was always so supportive of the work of the Cihuapactli Collective, we will truly miss her and the medicina she shared with so many. Our deepest condolences to her family and the family of danzantes, her loss is definitely felt.
Tlazocamati ~ Gracias ~ Thank you, Earthy for the years of activism and prayer. May your spirit soar with the ancestors. Ometeotl