Interview as published in The Barge, August 2023:

What drew you to join the Sisterhood?

I wasn't raised in a family that had any spiritual or religious traditions. That was a purposeful choice on my parents part—my father is Hodinöhšönih (Iroquois) and because of prejudiced policies at the time, he was removed from his tribal connections and raised in a Catholic context. This led him to have strong feelings about any organizations or institutions in general—but religion in particular. My mom was similarly opposed from her own experiences. I went 47 years seeking answers about higher powers and my own origin stories through personal growth, philosophy, art, and eclectic spiritual practices that I pursued independently. It had been ingrained in me that it was dangerous to reach out or depend on any sort of community. And I completely understand my parents' wounds created that fear—and their trauma was real and valid. However, for many years I ached for a sense of belonging and community. I began creating it for myself and my children in many social contexts. But the deep cellular need to seek out Creation stories, legends, deep archaeological roots, and a relationship with Source that I could trust and grow in was ever-present. I ventured into both my Hodinöhšönih and Celtic spiritual and cultural studies around the exact same time in 2020. The pandemic suddenly made things available to me that I never had access to before as an indigenous woman. I couldn't choose which half of myself I wanted to prioritize—so I didn't choose! I knew several current and former sisters and knew Avalon was calling me to Her shores to honor and exalt my European DNA with equal reverence. I knew I had to love both sides of myself and connect with my roots on both continents. 

After joining, what was your first impression of the SOA?

I really appreciated the Orientation process and how it is designed to—not surprisingly—literally orient new sisters into the frame of mind and heart and spirit that will prepare them for the Priestessing Path. So I'd have to say that my first impression was of being so lovingly guided and mentored. This was what I was aching for—trustworthy women to be friends, aunties, sisters. The entire structure of The Isle and the underpinnings of what Jhenah has infused it with are purposeful and thoughtful. And that was so evident to me from day one.

What surprised you the most about the SOA? 

How much there is to DO! The offerings are staggering. Quests, intensives, and pilgrimages. Roundhouses filled with creative women of every type of talent and passion. AvaCon and the Ninefold Festival. Opportunities to do, be, learn, and seek nearly anything you could dream up. The Isle itself is a smorgasbord. The SOA has truly put together a virtual universe dedicated to providing anything a sister could need to grow and discover how to walk her own path with full support.

What positions do you hold in the SOA? (i.e. Hearth Mother, board trustee, etc.)

I am the brand new Secretary of the Board of Trustees as of June 1st. So I'm just learning and feeling my way right now. It feels good to be serving in an organization that means so much to me personally. Even better though is that seeing "behind the scenes" has made me proud of my decision to become a Sister in the first place—on the Board and the Council of Nine there are so many thoughtful, dedicated, incredibly kind women making important choices for us all. Spending even one hour with them proved to me that I made a responsible and wise choice putting my trust in the SOA three years ago when I stepped off the Barge onto the Isle. These folks truly care deeply about the experiences their Sisters have.

Do you volunteer in any (other) capacity?

I was honored to be a panelist at AvaCon 2022. 

What SOA activities have you completed? (i.e. Intensives, Quests, Pilgrimage...)

The minute I jumped off the Barge I ran straight for The Quests! I am nearly finished with the final one and I've not regretted a second of it. The Sisters I've quested with for the last 3 years are incredibly dear to me. 

What do you do for work outside of the SOA?

When I'm not questing on The Isle or doing Board business, I am a mother to seven children—Brenton 34, Ella 27, Eudora 20, Tillie 15, Lazlo 13, Mars 11, and Minerva 4. I'm married to Vid—who adores me and has built our family our dream home on 40 acres of forest in Pennsylvania. My formal education and training is in midwifery and parent education. But chronic illness invited me to prioritize things I could be more flexible with. Since 2017, I have been the Creatrix at The Quantum Cauldron where I do divination, astrology, jewelry, and art. I also hold Coming of Age workshops for young women. 

What hobbies do you have?

I love watercolor painting, graphic design, jewelry making, and herbalism. For 18 months now I have been learning Onödowag'a Gawënö—the Language of the People of the Great Hills (which is Seneca). For fun I collect crystals, play with my bunny rabbits and chickens, dance in the forest, and sometimes do community theatre.

Do you have any special talents?

My special talents are (in order of impressiveness) 

  • Collecting beautiful scarves and tapestries which I plan to do something with but have in fact done nothing with

  • Making spectacularly terrible paper airplanes. I've been shown a hundred times how to make them and yet...

  • I can coax the appropriate noises out of a didgeridoo that it's recognizable as a didgeridoo

  • I make a really fantastic risotto 

  • I can throw pizza dough in the air like a fancy pizza throwing person

What would you tell someone who is looking into joining the SOA?

There is something here for everyone. We NEED spaces like this. Our DNA remembers when we had sisters we shared community with. Our bones ache for this. 

How would your best friend describe you?

I think people who know me well would say I've made a really extraordinary lemonade with the lemons life provided. As a 2H Libra Stellium I'm always in pursuit of making sure my life is beautiful and extraordinary. Not perfect or without challenges. But delicious and juicy and worth pouring a giant glass full. My friends would say I always seek the good in every situation while simultaneously holding everyone and everything up to high standards of integrity. I ask a lot and I give a lot. I hope they'd say I'm interesting or at least weird. I strive to embrace my weirdness!

How has the SOA changed your life? OR What part of the SOA has been most influential in your life? 

Thus far the Quests have been the most influential part of my SOA journey. They were exactly what I needed!