SUNBEAR'S Memorial in VT. was majical. It was a bright,
warm & sunny day. The conch was blown in 6 directions. Several of Sunbears posessions
were place in the center of the circle. His seat, some books, photos, etc.
other folks added things significant to them honoring Sunbear.
Before the memorial procession & the spreading of our Brotheres ashes
we circled and passed a feather taking turns speaking of Sunbear and his love.
We cried and rejoiced. Sam & Tereasa led a ritual which included Sunbears favorite clothing choice (birthday suit) and specifically invited Sunbears spirit and the spirits
of many ancestors whose names we called out.......Josef Greenfeather,
Vern Helper, John Lennon, Allan Ginsburg, Crazy Horse, Martin Luther King Jr., Jerry
Garcia and MANY others to be present.
AS brother Jimmy 2Feathers shared and talked about Sunbear he invited
everyoneto spread a spoonful of Sunbears ashes where they felt led to do so.
With music & singing we processed from Main Circle uphill to the top of
themeadow area. " We are opening, we are opening.........." It was so
tearful forme being aware of our brothers' love & presence and the cycle of life
continuing.
We processed about the site of the '91 National taking turns spreading
his ashesat special places we believed significant to Sunbear.....Meadows,
undisturbedwild places, '91 CALM area where a baby was born, hilltops, water areas,
WelcomeHome & NERF kitchen. At each area we lingered and shared.
@ one meadow I was awed turning around and seeing a wide vista of a bowl
created by the mountains ringing the hills we travelled upon and
decided it was this view across the meadow framed by the forest and mountains
that must have also thrilled Sunbear to see. It was here that I spread his
ashes in an arc and found myself saying that Sunbear would really love this
place.
(VT. is breathtakingly beautiful).
About 20 of us processed close to the top of the mountain to find a
special ancient oak (it took 5 of us to circle) that had massive spreading beams
facing the 4 directions. The conch was blown in the 4 directions. We
spread more ashes that were carried in the conch then circled the oak, om'ed & told
more Sunbear stories. Meanwhile his ashes were carried downhill to Welcome home and
surrounding area to be spread by others.
This gathering was very different than others in that Sunbear and others
were not there. That space felt empty and tender. I realized who my
living siblings are and honor them for the energy they brought to the gathering
with joy. It was especially touching to me to discover no one I knew preparing the
dinner meal on Sunday. Younger and newer folks had gotten the Rainbow
Participation vibe and were doing a marvelous job preparing food for the entire camp.
Rainbow lives! Oh yeah I'm in love.
Glenn

There is one event that stands out among all the rest... I was hiking
with Sunbear on a supply run at a Quebec Gathering back in '92 or '93,
and somehow we drifted into the subject of edible wild plants. Let's
just say that I learned more about edible plants in the next hour or so
of that hike than I did during two full years of Boy Scouts. In recent
years, I have been sharing this knowledge with my own two children as
well as with my students (I now teach 4th and 5th grade in a small
school in northeastern Vermont). The passing on of this knowledge seems
all the more important now that Sunbear has moved on beyond this earthly
life.
Kevin from Vermont

Hey - when Sunbear's ashes were scattered at main circle
(in Vermont - NERF - May 2000)
I could smell it in the air - figger I breathed in some of Sunbear's
molecules.
-WatchCity

.TC (photo by that Greg guy)
(from) Seed Camp Journal Entry #6: Negotiating with the Forest Service
> June 4, 1999
> Allegheny National Forest

Seed Camp Journal Entry #6: Negotiating with the Forest Service

District Ranger Leon "Gentle Bear" Blashock attended council again this
> morning to discuss Seed Camp logistics. More people were present than two
> days ago and they chimed in repeatedly with their observations and
comments.
> There was a sense of impatience about when several gated roads would be
> opened so that we could advance into the site and begin Seed Camp in
> earnest.

> Recent negative articles about the Gathering in the Ridgway Record
poisoned
> the atmosphere to some extent. Leon wasn't quoted in either story.
However,
> the pieces were generated by Forest Service colleagues assigned to the
> Incident Command Team. And, Leon was tarnished by the association.

> "My relationship to you all is different than that of the law enforcement
> people," he said, trying to re-assure us at the outset of the meeting.
"And
> I want to keep it that way."

> When Leon departed on Wednesday morning (June 2), we thought we had an
> agreement that he would at least temporarily open the gates to Forest
> Service Roads 161 (parking), 168 (Welcome Home/shuttle drop-off point) and
> 393 (bus village) to facilitate speedier scouting. Two days later, all
three
> gates remained locked.

> Leon explained that there had been a misunderstanding due to what he said
> were his "poor communication skills". Eyes began to roll. Is Leon a
cautious
> steward of the land proceeding slowly, step-by-by step to make sure that
the
> forest won't be trampled by hordes of hippies? Or is he delaying and
taking
> the family for a ride? We wanted to believe the former. But past history
> made us wary.

> Leon announced that as soon as the meeting ended he would open up FS 161
and
> that it was very likely he would open FS 168 in the near future as our
> stated intention was to use it only as a trailhead. As for FS 393, he had
> serious reservations.

> Gated Forest Service roads tend to be more poorly constructed, Leon said.
> And while exploring FS 393 yesterday in his Ford Bronco, he discovered
that
> he had carved some deep ruts in the road. How, he asked, could we hope to
> bring in hundreds of busses and campers over the next month?

> It was then explained that the family only wished to use certain parts of
FS
> 393, which preceded the area where the ruts had occurred. Leon was
doubtful
> but he agreed to walk the site with an engineer and one of the Rainbow
> scouts.

> "When Leon?" T.C. asked.

> Situated a few feet outside the circle, T.C. herded the meeting like an
> impatient sheepdog. He was as annoyed with the scattered hippie energy as
he
> was with Leon's unclear promises. T.C. has thick, graying dredlocks and he
> would alternately sit on a stump or pace around with a burning nub of a
> cigarette in hand. Throughout the meeting he would say things like, "Leon,
> I've got a problem", or "Leon, we've gotta talk about something".

> A taut silence would hold for a second as T.C. leaned forward. And then
> zing! he would release his question or comment and it would always land
> dead-on target. T.C. was insistent and demanding. He teetered on the brink
> of being rude but never crossed it. It was effective. If Leon had any
> intention of backsliding or leaving things in a bureaucratic muddle, T.C.
> was blocking it.

> Leon said that he would summon an engineer as soon as he could. And, he
> would keep us posted. Because it's Friday, it was important that the
weekend
> not become another excuse for inaction. There was more bantering back and
> forth. Finally, Leon said that he would let us know by late in the
afternoon
> whether or not he would have an engineer lined up for the following day.

> That was OK by us. And after Leon left, we briefly counciled and discussed
> whether or not we should move camp over to FS 161. There wasn't much
> enthusiasm for the idea. Warm, blue skies returned this morning after
three
> days of rain. And, the majority is content to stay a little while longer
> here at the campground off of FS 129, where there's a public outhouse
> stocked with toilet paper, a creek to splash around in and a kitchen that
> occasionally feeds people.

> A-Camp is just down the road. They are a magnet for locals who want to
> party. They make a lot of noise at night. But, they haven't been
disruptive
> enough to scare people away.

> So far, no atrocities.

> Be Good to Yourselves, johnny appleseed

JOSEPH GREENFEATHER sometimes JOSEFF GREENFEATHER

I remember the last time I saw Joseff...this year at the Arizona
Gathering...I took a little break from C.A.L.M. and went for a food
run for the crew to the Love'n Ovens....I went up to his little nook
behind the kitchen...It was a nice little spot, like a room where you
could watch all the movies going on around Love'n Ovens.
We talked with a few others, he told me about his past winter and
how he almost gave up, he almost died.
He told me I wouldn't see him again, he wouldn't be at the 99
gathering. He smiled, coughed a bit and told me what he always did,
that I was a beautiful little sister, and hope for the next
generation of the family.....Then he shewed me back to
C.A.L.M....after a hug and a lot of good cheer...That was his last
night at the gathering, and the lst time I saw him.
It's sad that we lost him, but he is still here with many of us,
those uf us that worked with him, the things he taught us. We should
remember all that he is...cause in the words of Joseff Greenfeather
"Listen up hippies, we need to know this shit"

Love, Light and rememberance
of a Great Man,
Momma Willow

Last summer in Arizona I came to the Ovens on an evening when the kitchen
was alive with the Family's love. People were laughing and hugging,
eating and singing . Joseph Greenfeather sat in his wheelchair below the
tarps, positioned toward the front like the guest of honor at an awards
dinner. His eyes searched the dimly lit crowd and as folks came up to
greet him they said the kind of things that people say to those who are
very ill. "Hey, I hope your behaving now! You've got to take good care
of yourself, we need you around! Love You, Bro'". I took a seat off to
his side and as I enjoyed the company of my brothers and sisters I took a
pack of cigarettes out of my backpack and shared them with those near me.
Joseph saw this and getting my attention asked me if I could spare one for
him. There was a tense moment of silence. I froze, the pack of
non-filtered cigarettes still in my outstretched hand. "That brand was my
favorite, can you spare one", he repeated. Before I could turn towards
him the outcry began. "No, Brother! Don't give it to him! Joseph, you
know you can't do that. No! I'm doing this because I love you. Don't
give it to him!" Joseph's chest heaved. He reached for the wheels of his
chair to pull himself away but the locks were on. He shook as he tore the
oxygen tube from his nose. "Goddamn it! You..you can't tell me what I
can't do! It's MY life!", he now began to shake even harder and some
brothers tried to calm him and place the oxygen back on his head. One
brother wasn't going to hear it, "No, your sick because of those things
and if you think I'm going to let you smoke just because you pull your
tubes out, your wrong. I love you, Bro'." "Friend," he moved closer to
me, "please put that pack away, he can't have any." I was relieved to be
off the hook and placed the Luckies in my coat pocket. After a few
minutes of fidgeting and being whispered to firmly, Joseph was still short
of breath, but he seemed to be gaining more control again. Two guitars
were playing a song about the road as Joseph looked at the faces of the
people sitting behind the ovens, lit by the warming glow of the fires,
their voices muffled in the distance. "I wasn't going to smoke it,"
Joseph said slowly, deliberately. "I just wanted one." A moment passed in
which he seemed to be staring at a space about three feet in front and
just below his eye level. Everyone acted as though he hadn't been heard.
Then he lifted his gaze and turning, caught my eyes straight on. "Brother,
I'd appreciate it if you'd give me one of those non-filters." I stood,
walked over to him, took the pack out and shook one loose for him. He put
it in his jacket.

Joseph didn't want that cigarette. That's not what he was asking
from me.

Every action we do, no matter how trivial or ordinary, has a real
consequence. For some people their actions add up to something
which causes them to suffer. We like to think that there is a
right and a wrong to everything, and that doing the 'right' thing
is the good way.

Now, when I think about that night, I hear Joseph asking me for a
hug and for my respect and friendship. And I see myself reaching
within and giving him my love.

In the world there is an ocean of compassion and our lives
are the drops that fill that sea.
R.Vazquez

ever again will we hear joseff's peptalks at main dinner circle regarding our
health and safety at the gatherings....this is how i remember joseff with his
ling blond braids and his scottish kilt wandering around many a gathering doing
work for calm....this is very hard on us since we just lost a strong brother who has been with
the family for a long time......
joseff, we love you and miss yoi
Aron Kay

I will miss Joseff dearly, though I only knew him shortly and what seems
now to have been very long ago. I remember Joseff from his wonderful
little health/safety/pep talks and from walking around playing pipes
early in the morning at several gathering. That was the most beautiful
sound to wake up to that I had ever heard. He will have a vigil candle
burning on my altar, and he will be dearly missed.
Joseff, you are well loved by your Family, we will miss you and we will
see you one of these days within the beauty of Tir-Na-Og.
May your feet walk softly upon the Mother, and your heart show light to
your path on the Good Red Road.

Savannah

I enjoyed working with Joseff over the years. I remember introducing
him to many of my freinds, whom he always greeted with the same warmth
and enthusiasim he would give to a long lost and beloved family member.
He was quite the character at times too.
At the Oregon gathering, Joseff and I were walking together on a foggy
morning deciding what to do, if the drizzle didn't lift, about main
circle. I looked a Joseff and asked him how many years he had been
helping at gatherings. I'll never forget his reply...."I have been
working gatherings for 23 years and in 2 years I get to retire. Do you
know what Rainbow retirement means?" After assuring him that I did not
he continued. He said loudly and with all seriousness...."It means I
GET TO BE A...BLISS...NINNY!!!"
I will miss you greatly Joseff.
And I will carry your spirit to all the future gatherings......and YES,
you do get to be a blissninny.LOVE,

Eric

Joseff will always walk, as he always walked, the rainbow path. His walk is
the rainbow walk. His talk is the rainbow talk. And there's bagpipe music
now in happy heaven for sure! though there are surely also now more tears to
shed upon a sadder earth for the losing of this fine and great brother.
Gentle. Kick ass. Braver than the sun. Braver than the night. The downright
quintessence of hippy male humor, too. Smarter and badder than all get out.
And genuinely charming, like the little mossy realms that grow above ground
between the gnarled roots of old oaks somehow; his tenderness safe amidst his
powers. My heart breaks for all the tribes of the family for having to grieve
this darling brother, this hero, at such an early age when it is we need a
hundred--nay a thousand more like him-- though saying this I realize it was
extraordinary that we had the one. And such a one! No other was or will be
like him, as he was authentic and that means one of a kind. Rock 'n fuckin'
roll, Joseff! Give 'em hell in heaven, my love! Tell Great Spirit how it
ought to be! And tell Great Spirit we have sent our best representative,
though we didn't intend to and not nearly so soon and neither, I suppose, you
won't be coming back, Joseff, and so tell Spirit I said to feel damned honored
with such company as you as Rainbow emisary... See you on the other side,
Joseff, and in every hippy camp fire I ever look into. Miranda, Raven, She
Who Paints With Tears

Joseph Greenfeather used to wear a Scottish blackwatch kilt outfit with a
looong green feather trailing off his tam, with his beard hiding a
Congressional Medal of Honor, and he'd wrestle an octopus (play his bagpipes)
after the Silence on the 4th. Worked a lot at CALM before his emphysema got
the best of him. I miss him.
closing arguments in the Joseph Greenfeather and Bill
Baxter (PA '97 cases) on Thomas' site, which had the same judge and US attorneys
as the Beck, Kalb and Sedlacko cases, which may shed some light on the issue: