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Native American Medicine Wheel

WHAT:         Big Bear Medicine Wheel Ceremony in conjunction with
              National Native American Heritage Month.

WHO:          Bennie E. LeBeau, Sr., elder spiritual leader and
              advisor, is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone
              Tribe, Wind River Indian Reservation, Ft. Washakie, Wyo.

WHERE:        Presbyterian Conference Center of Big Bear Lake
              575 Prairie Lane, Big Bear Lake, Calif. 92315

WHEN:         Monday, November 15, 2004
              Starts at Sunrise (approximately 6:25 a.m.)
              Ends at approximately 1 p.m.

BACKGROUND:   Southern California is in a long-term hydrological
              drought, and is well below normal conditions. The
              ceremony objectives are to heal the wounds of the land
              caused by drought, restore nature and replenish the
              environment. Bennie LeBeau has over 30 years' experience
              as a shaman. Mr. LeBeau says he is coming to Big Bear to
              fulfill the "Rainbow Warrior Prophecies." His emphasis
              is to educate people about the importance and
              significance of universal laws, sacred sites, and
              indigenous prophecies. He will perform a 6,000-year-old
              ceremony that is considered one of the most venerated
              customs of the Shoshone culture. The Big Bear Medicine
              Wheel consists of eight points that span a 220-mile
              radius around the Big Bear hub. Simultaneous ceremonies
              will occur at each of these eight points. The energy
              from these ceremonies will create vibrations that allow
              nature's currents to flow again and reenergize the
              circulation of the Earth. The points include Sheep Hole
              Mountain (29 Palms), Granite Peak (Mojave National
              Preserve), Goldstone (Superior Lake), Shadow Mountain
              (below Edwards Air Force Base), Aliso State Beach,
              Salton Sea, and Palomar Mountain (Escondido).

NEWS
INTEREST:     The purpose of the ceremony is to help replenish
              moisture and help bring back rains to drought-stricken
              areas, such as Big Bear Lake and its surrounding region.
              Big Bear Lake is the central hub for the Medicine Wheel
              Ceremony because its dry trees are in need of healing.
              The ceremony coincides with National American Indian
              Heritage Month.

PHOTO/FILM
OPPORTUNITIES: Capture Bennie LeBeau as he leads the sacred ceremony
               with drums, song, and dance. B-roll and photos of the
               ceremony are also available.

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