**Taino Illustration by Ferni Vazquez "Let the Waters Bring Forth"
ATABEY'S
RISING TIDES
ART- the use of skill & imagination in the production of things of BEAUTY
RaheNi Gonzalez is a Two Spirit Boricua Taino Ceremonialist, Sacred Artist, Healer & Activist. They were born in Occupied Lenape Territory (Brooklyn, NY) & currently reside in Huichin, Occupied Ohlone Territory (Oakland, CA). RaheNi is deeply committed to healing the earth, the waters & our collective wounds of colonization, modernization & industrialization.They are passionate about creating sacred space & altars dedicated to ancestors & community healing. They are a teacher at Ancestral Apothecary School where they facilitate workshops focused on healing & self care rooted in indigenous medicine ways with a focus on ancestral remembrance. RaheNi is also a facilitator for Spirit Root Medicine People/Indigenous Two Spirit Lifeways (SRMP). Spirit Root Medicine People is a community healing project focused on Native American/ Indigenous and Pacific Islander Two Spirit/LGBTQI people. It is an offering by Two Spirit community members toward decolonization, healing & wellness. SRMP offers monthly medicine circles toward this effort. RaheNi is also a core member of the Healing Clinic Collective & is currently coordinating an online Healing Clinic for Spring 2021 (date to be determined) for the Trans/GNC/2Spirit community. They have taught meditation in many settings including prisons and to women with cancer. As a caregiver, they have helped many in their journey to the other side. They have completed a year long Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation Training, a year long intensive in Commit to Dharma and a year long intensive in the North American Nonviolent Communication Leadership Program. RaheNi has over 2 years of accumulated silent retreat practice, they have completed 4 traditional vision quests & 20+ years of indigenous ceremonial practice & vipassana practice. They are also a Master Gardener & an Indigenous Permaculturist.
FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON WORKSHOPS, EVENTS & CIRCLES, PLEASE CHECK MY INSTAGRAM PAGE & MY LINKTR.EE
2019 Highlights
In November, I was invited to collaborate on a Two Spirit decolonizing/healing project with Loa Niumeitolu & Zamora. From that "Spirit Root Medicine People/Indigenous Two Spirit Lifeways" emerged & we began holding both public & private circles funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department. From November through the end of 2019, we held many medicine circles including talking circles, drum circles & community gardening. These circles are continuing to be funded through May 2020 & we anticipate that the funding will be extended. For updated info on our circles please visit our FB page or check my instagram.
In September, Karen Lopez, Marcelo Garza & I, organized & lead a Two Spirit Danza Ceremonia inspired by the vision of Maestra Chicueyi Coatl. The ceremony was held on September 22nd at the UC Gill Tract Farm/Sogorea Te/Ohlone Territory & was attended by over 100 people. It was a beautiful ceremony filled with many tears of joy. Below photos by Vaschelle Andre of Divine Photography. 1st photo of the altar/momoxli that I designed. 2nd was taken after the Maestra was given her gifts & we embraced.
In August, my partner, Myrna Caban Lezcano & I started offering our "Presencing Circles" at Soltree Alchemy in Oakland CA for POC & QTPOC. We've committed to offering at least one of these circles every few months.
July 13th, I was honored to participate in "Celebrating Stories: Two Spirit Art & Performance" at the Oakland Museum of California. Programming by Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits (BAAITS). Below is a short clip of my offering.
2018 Highlights
The entire month of October was spent in my ancestral land, Boriken (Puerto Rico). Myself & my partner Myrna Caban Lezcano were the healing artist residents at CEPA. We offered 2 Queer Circles of Meditation, Prayer & Song. One of these circles also included a sacred pipe ceremony. I gave many limpias to beloved community members & helped create a medicine garden! Below are just a few photos of this healing justice journey & here is a link with full details: Community Healing in Boriken
Flyer by Myrna Caban Lezcano for the Queer Moon Circles we offered at CEPA
Happy Boricuas after a full moon Pipe Ceremony
Our Altar
Working in the garden at CEPA
Altar for August 2018 "Presencing Circle" - Meditation, Sacred Songs & Plant Medicine. Co-facilitated with Myrna Caban Lezcano of Flor y Machete
Altar by RaheNi for "Sanacion de la Tierra, El Cuerpo y Los Ancestros" a day of Yoga, Meditation & Ritual. Co-facilitated with Lilia Roman of Olin Yoga liliaroman.com
2017 Highlights
Altar for one of the QTPOC Meditation Prayer Circles RaheNi held in the Redwoods of the Oakland Hills - Summer of 2017
Playing flute for the QTPOC Meditation Prayer Circle
2016 Highlights
#aguaesvida RaheNi spent two weeks at the Oceti Sakowin Two Spirit Camp, supporting the Standing Rock Sioux, protecting the water, and fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline from November 22nd to December 4th.
Photo by Marie Kyoko Morohoshi, Dec. 4th 2016 - Oceti Sakowin Camp, ND
In October RaheNi travelled to Spain to participated in The Truth & Reclamation Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage was a journey toward healing and restoration. A ceremony, a part of a much larger vision toward restoration and healing for Indigenous people and people of African descent in the Americas. A collective from Turtle Island (America), walked in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus. The pilgrimage started on Indigenous People's Day, Oct 10th in Cordoba, Spain, where Queen Isabela & the Catholic Monarchy decided to fund Christopher Columbus' voyages. The walk took about 2 weeks and ended on Dia De Los Muertos/Day of the Dead at the coast of Huelva, Spain, where Christopher Columbus set sail.
- We walked to educate people about how this history continues to impact our lives
- We walked to bring healing to the ancestors & the collective trauma of colonization
- We delivered a letter to the Archbishop of Andalucia, inviting Spain and the Catholic Church to give a public apology to Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and People of African descent who live in the Americas.
This prayer walk was held in solidarity with both the Standing Rock Sioux who were fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The following people led the pilgrimage: Caro Acuña Olvera, RaheNi Gonzalez I'naru, Vaschelle André and Alicia Lueras Maldonado.
- We walked to educate people about how this history continues to impact our lives
- We walked to bring healing to the ancestors & the collective trauma of colonization
- We delivered a letter to the Archbishop of Andalucia, inviting Spain and the Catholic Church to give a public apology to Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and People of African descent who live in the Americas.
This prayer walk was held in solidarity with both the Standing Rock Sioux who were fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The following people led the pilgrimage: Caro Acuña Olvera, RaheNi Gonzalez I'naru, Vaschelle André and Alicia Lueras Maldonado.
Group Selfie, Truth and Reclamation Pilgrimage, Almote, Spain - Nov. 2nd, 2016 Dia De Los Muertos
