On Friday July 31st, we will have the privilege of a very special ceremony by a very special guest. Jake Charles of the First Nation of the Chippewas of Georgina Island will be performing the traditional sweat lodge ceremony at Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park.
Traditionally, the First Nations people had no shame about their bodies and truly lived in harmony with nature. Their culture was very much in keeping with naturist ideals. We believe that by holding this traditional sweat lodge ceremony in a naturist environment it will make the experience even more authentic.
Jake describes the ceremony as follows:
The Sweat Lodge is a sacred place where First Nations People go to pray and gain spiritual healing. It is a way to connect to spirits and ask for guidance in life.
Resembling a sauna, stones are heated in a special fire just outside the lodge. To help gain access to answers of the participants questions, songs are sung on a drum and medicines are burnt.
The ceremony of the Sweat Lodge has lead to a positive and progressive lifestyle and encourages positive thinking and well being.
The sweat will be held at dusk and it will probably last about an hour (for beginners). It is not recommended for any individual with high blood pressure. There will be a smudge outside of the lodge and then the only medicine used within is cedar. If a person becomes too uncomfortable, they are free to leave at any time. Participants should drink lots of water that day and not to eat a large meal before (small meal/snack an hour before).
The cost is $35 per person and limited to 10 people so reservations are required. Please speak to Kim at the office.
