“Sacred Gardens: Spirituality, Ecology & Peace” Conference Set Oct. 23 in Belfast

(Editors’ note: The name gkisedtanamoogk, fourth paragraph, begins with a lower case “g.”)

Contact: Ellen Woodhead, 581-1167

BELFAST — The International EcoPeace Community ESTIA, affiliated with Peace & Reconciliation Studies at the University of Maine, will hold its 6th annual conference at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast Friday, Oct. 23, 12 noon-6 p.m., on “Sacred Gardens.”

Featured speakers include Kyriacos Markides, noted author and University of Maine professor of sociology, who will speak about the sacred landscapes of Mt. Athos, Mt. Sinai and other sacred sites.

In addition, Hugh Curran, vice president of ESTIA and Peace Studies faculty member at UMaine will speak on “Celtic Sacred Landscapes.”

The afternoon will include round-table discussions on indigenous sovereignty with gkisedtanamoogk of the Wampanoag tribe and faculty member in Peace Studies & Native American Studies; “Sacred Gardens” with Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals; “Cultivating Food & Medicine” with Mark Fulford of Teltane Farm; “Poetry & the Garden” with Sandra Hutchison, poet and faculty member; “The Sacred Grove” with Andrea Read, founder of NewForest Institute; “Homesteading” with Robert Schmick, director of the Curran Homestead; and “Permaculture Design” by the ESTIA Epicenter, PAX 398 class, UMaine.

The cost is $25 ($15 for students) and $20 ($10 for students) with a ticket purchased in advance. Tickets are available at “The Store at Ampersand” in Orono. For registration call 581-2609 or e-mail ellen.woodhead@umit.maine.edu.