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Indigenous Grandmothers visit MUM for historic conference A group of indigenous women representing The International Council of the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers visited campus during the first week of October. In addition to the seven grandmothers representing the Council, thirty-five other indigenous woman leaders came to share their wisdom and culture during the historic International Women’s Conference on “Restoring Balance: The Indigenous Grandmothers’ Call to the Women of the World.” The grandmothers came from Tibet, Nepal, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. The International Council of the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers formed their organization in 2004 to protect their diverse cultures, land, language, and ceremonies through educating children. “The Global Mother Divine Organization (GMDO) wants to collaborate with these different indigenous women from around the world,” said Vanessa Vidal, National Director of the GMDO, the women’s teaching wing of the International TM Organization. “We have great mutual respect and we share a lot of mutual goals. We all appreciate the important role women play in transforming life on earth to be more enlightened.” Several of the elders have previously been to MUM and subsequently learned the Transcendental Meditation technique. Some Native American nations, such as the Lakota on Pine Ridge Reservation, are already collaborating on teaching the TM technique in schools, conducting diabetes research, and utilizing sustainable building techniques. Several of the indigenous leaders have also expressed a strong desire to become teachers of the TM technique. The conference was co-sponsored by the MUM Women’s Institute, a new organization dedicated to supporting women in unfolding their full potential and making significant contributions to transforming life on personal, social, and global levels. A diverse group of over 400 ladies participated in the event representing students, veterans, and people from different cultures. Attendees arrived from as far as California and Florida. “This event was transforming for all who attended,” said Cathy Gorini, Dean of Faculty at MUM. “Everyone felt the great potential for a group of dedicated women creating world peace.” For more information on the Indian Initiatives e-mail indianinitiatives@gmdousa.org or visit www.GMDOusa.org. © Copyright 2010, Maharishi University of Management
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