Harmony will resonate from Santa Fe’s Jemez Mountains as 5000 gather to celebrate Peace Cereal’s PEACE PRAYER DAY. Dedicated to fostering peace within ourselves, Peace within our families, and peace within our World, Peace Cereal has chosen Free the Children’s founder, Craig Keilburger, as the 2000 Man of Peace. The international organization which defends the rights of children, founded by Keilburger when he was 12 years old, will also receive one of five Peace Grants, given to grassroots initiatives that promote peace. Iyanla Vanzant, best-selling author of “Yesterday I cried,” among many others, will receive the 2000 Woman of Peace Award.
With grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each, additional awardees include Health Alliance International, an international organization working to improve the health and welfare of disenfranchised people worldwide, and the International Institute, which fosters increased global friendships, through sport, culture, and education. Additional grants will be given to The Gesundheit Institute, Dr. Patch Adams’ free community hospital which practices compassionate medicine and healing, and Court Appointed Special Advocates. All of the awardees, including Dr. Patch Adams, will be present at the ceremonies.
Music and prayer will resound from the mountains, from sunrise to sunset in the multi-cultural celebration which will culminate with Seal performing solo and with the Khalsa String Band. An Aztec sunrise ceremony will begin the day, followed by a peace Festival, featuring art expo, yoga, and conflict resolution workshops. International sounds from the Mystic Arts of Tibet, North Indian Mystical Folk Dancers, and Jaka, the Music and Dance of Zimbabwe and West Africa will conclude with the presentation of the Peace Grants.
The power of music will continue with Joanne Shenandoa, called by Knight-Ridder’s James M. Tarbox, “one of the bright lights in the folk music world,” will perform songs inspired by her Oneida Nation heritage; violinist/singer Lili Haydn, a member of George Clinton’s P-Funk Band, who has toured with Page and Plant, Matchbox 20, Sting, and Seal, appearing for the first time on stage with the Khalsa String Band. Siri Singh Sahib (aka Yogi Bhajan), the spiritual leader of the Sikhs and founder of Peace Prayer Day will speak, followed by the arrival of the eternal Flame of Peace.
Peace Prayer Day, Saturday, June 17th, from sunrise to sunset, is located in the Jemez mountains, near Santa Fe, New Mexico. For information, please call 1-877-70-PEACE.