Women's Sweat Lodge

Women of the community -- join us for a sweat lodge ceremony with Conductor Elaine Isaacs.  Please register to ensure your spot, as spaces are limited.  Attendees please arrive by 12:00 pm, when the fire will be struck.  This is an important time for self-preparation, offerings, and teachings.  Entry into the lodge will be approximately 2:00 to 2:30.  Following ceremony, there will be a potluck, which will conclude by approximately 5:00 to 5:30 pm.

Directions... The address of the New Hamburg lodge site is 1044 Christner Rd in New Hamburg.  From Kitchener, take Highway 8 west, past Baden, and turn right (north) on Nafziger Rd (Route 5).  After this, the first major intersection is Snyder's Rd / Waterloo St (Route 1) -- turn left (west) on Waterloo St.  The first right is Christener Rd (a sign for Nith Valley Apiaries is a visible landmark).  Turn onto Christener Rd, and 1044 is just ahead, at the bend.  After crossing the concrete bridge, continue past the house and the barn, and there will be signage to guide you from there.  Please keep in mind that the lodge site is located on a working farm and must limit traffic as much as possible.  Parking is also limited, so if it is safe for you to do so, please rideshare.

Clothing / clothes change, weather, etc... We would recommend bringing an appropriate variety of clothing and appropriate footwear ... for both before and after the sweat ceremony.  Please bring one basic set of 'sweat' clothing (which will get wet/sweaty while you are inside of the lodge).  For women, a t-shirt or bathing suit with skirt (traditional if possible).  You may want to bring a couple of towels - one to use in the lodge and one to dry off after.  You may also want a face towel.  The tipi and teaching lodge will be available for 'change room' space, as well as clothing & items cache space.

Please bring... Tobacco (if you are able), to make offerings before entering the lodge.  Cedar (if you are able).  Washed strawberries.  Water, primarily to hydrate after the ceremony.

For the feast after... Please bring a feast bundle (plate/bowl, cup, cutlery).  Please bring a potluck item, as we will be eating after the ceremony.  There are no cooking facilities or refrigerators, so please keep this in mind when deciding what to bring.  This is part of the celebration -- honouring our food is important to our health and to all living things.

Additional details... Please advise us of any severe allergies and/or health issues in advance of the sweat lodge ceremony. (We will have a waiver to sign on site.)  Please remember to hydrate for a few days prior, but less so on the day of sweat lodge.  It is advisable to fast before the ceremony, but not necessary.  If you wish not to fast, please eat lightly.  Eating before sweat bathing puts a strain on the circulatory system.  If you have hypoglycemia, it is advisable for you to eat a small meal like fruits and vegetables.  Avoid bringing metal items into the lodge (e.g. jewellery, glasses etc.), but earrings and piercings can be left in if necessary; contact lenses should be removed as well.  An altar space will be designated, so that objects can be blessed (but only rattles can be brought into the lodge).  Please abstain from alcohol and non-prescription drugs for at least 3 days (5 is preferable).  This is a sacred ceremony.  Moon time protocol is in effect for any women: please follow the teachings of not participating in the sweat lodge ceremony while you are on your moon time.

If you have any questions please reach out to us at wachay@crowshieldlodge.com