PAZA, TREE OF LIFE
501c3 Non-Profit Support Organization
"Our mission is to bridge cultural divides and inspire mutual respect through authentic cultural exchanges, educational programs, and community initiatives. By celebrating global traditions and protecting our heritage, we honor the power of song, dance, and music as healing modalities within Native Indian Culture."
PROJECTS/PARTNERS
Medicine Wheel Garden
The purpose of the Indigenous Medicine Wheel Garden is one of awareness, education, and conservation. Native Americans being the original people of North America (Turtle Island) worked closely with the Earth in many aspects. The Medicine Wheel Garden was dedicated on October 29, 2022 at Hugh Moore Park in Easton, Pennsylvannia. The Medicine Wheel itself is 21 feet in diameter with four boulders, representing the four directions. It sits directly between two Cottonwood trees which are deemed sacred by our indigenous relatives, as they have been used for decades in the "Sundance Ceremony". At the center, is placed a “Peace Pole", to represent the different cultures around the world. It proclaims a resounding message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth", in eight different languages. The Indigenous people associate the four colors of Red, Yellow, Black and White with all races of humanity. These colors will be represented in the four quadrants of the garden through native plants that bare those colors, but also have medicinal/herbal qualities. The final element is the "Red Road Path" that leads from the park trail to the garden. The "Red Road" is considered the spiritual path in life. This element was important to include as it connects us to the Creator of All things. Permanent signage is being installed at the Red Road Path as well at the Entrance of the Medicine Wheel Circle this spring. We hope that this public symbol will awaken and revive the practices of Culture, Community & Conservation within our world and help us to once again realign ourselves with Mother Earth.
Grandmother Unity
"Unci Owanzila"
Great Grandmother is a 56” tall x 30” wide x 29” deep stainless steel (prototype) sculpture. She is a Native American Elder that represents the reunification of the four colors of humanity Red, Yellow, Black & White. Her mission lies in her name: Grandmother who Brings Together” or in the Lakota language: "Unci Owanzila" Native American Metal Sculptor, Gene “ Ironman” Smith of the Choctaw and Lakota Nations, brought the concept drawings and visions of artist, Robert Christopher to life. Unci Owanzila leads us towards becoming the Rainbow Warrirors depeicted in the prophecy of Cheif Crazy Horse: "I see a time of seven generations when the colors of Mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become One Circle again." PAZA aspires to create a Unity Rising Campaign through out our region, asking schools, businesses and organizations to participate in creating educational components, cultural awarness with cultural exchange, Diversity and Inclusion models and an Annual Unity Festival where cultures can be come together to be shared and celebrated.
Broken Hand Productions/Humanity Shines
Broken Hand Productions and PAZA Tree of Life Unite on a Journey of Love ...
Unity Garden
The new Unity Garden funded by AARP Livable Communities is a proud Partership between All Things Palmer TWP P.A. and PAZA, Tree of Life. Palmer is the first Community in Northampton County to officially, through Board Resolution, adopt October 9th as Indigenous Peoples Day. We sincerely hope other Townships will follow. Once finished, the Unity Garden will be a place to share the rich culture and traditions of the ancestors of this land and celebrate the commonality of all cultures. We have also honored the elders and people with disabilities by making the parking lot and garden pathways accessible for wheelchairs and walkers so people of all ages and walks of life can enjoy the garden. We are grateful to be one of 310 receiptants of the AARP Community challenge grant which made this project possible.
