Will Wyoming welcome the Rainbow Gathering?

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

By Sam Petri

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Brace yourself, Wyoming: the hippies are coming. The 2008 annual Rainbow Gathering of Living Light will take place July 1-7 somewhere in the Cowboy State. Although the exact location of the event won’t be announced until mid-June, the gathering - which is expected to attract well over 10,000 people - will take place on National Forest land. There are six National Forests in Wyoming: the Bighorn, Bridger-Teton, Medicine Bow, Thunder Basin, Shoshone and the Black Hills.

Since its inception in 1972, the Rainbow Gathering has always been held the same week but at a different location each year. At the Gathering, a temporary community is established where little to no money is exchanged, food is free and possessions are shared. There is no cost to enter the Gathering; in fact, signs are posted that say “Welcome Home.” Wyoming has been home to two Rainbow Gatherings, one in 1973, in the Shoshone National Forest and the other in 1994, in Bridger-Teton National Forest.
The website with the most up to date information about the event is www.welcomehere.org, run by Steven Duncan, 43, of Springfield, Missouri.
“Basically, Rainbow Gatherings are inclusive of all humanity,” said Duncan. “There is no leader. There is no [single] driving force behind it.”

Those who attend the Rainbow Gatherings practice ’60s era ideals. They denounce consumerism and capitalism and stress community and environmentalism. However, the National Forest that plays host is sometimes harmed by the sheer amount of people using the land. At the 1994 gathering in Wyoming, a forest fire broke out in the Bridger-Teton forest near Big Piney where it was held. And at the 1987 and 1996 gatherings, many attendees contracted bacillary dysentery from drinking water contaminated with human and animal waste. But those at the core of the Rainbow Gatherings say that they restore the land before they leave.

Dan Abernathy, owner of the Rock Rabbit coffee shop in Pinedale, Wyo., recalled the 1994 Rainbow Gathering. “There was a small forest fire, but it wasn’t much,” he said. “I don’t think they ever determined that the Rainbow people caused the fire.” Abernathy remembered a “slurry bomber” forest-fire airplane dropping water on an adjacent area while Rainbow Gatherers watched. Abernathy had an enjoyable experience in 1994, nonetheless, and said he will attend it this year in Wyoming. “There’s nothing wrong with it at all, it’s just different from what conservative people in Wyoming are used to,” he said.

Will Woodward, the owner of Mountunes, also attended the gathering in 1994 and left with a different perspective. “It was just a mess,” he said. “It was really dirty. I didn’t see the respect for the earth. … I didn’t dig it. I took off.”

But surprisingly, Bridger-Teton National Forest District Ranger Greg Clark, who was on duty during the 1994 gathering near Big Piney, had no animosity towards the Gatherers. “[Forest fires] can happen when you have that many folks,” he said. “They did an excellent job rehabbing [the area] and bringing it back.” Clark noted that when that many people come to a small, rural town, social factors are often the biggest hardship.

Steve Duncan said that the influx of people into a small community has both positive and negative effects. Food is often bought locally, motels are rented, vehicles are serviced, and camping items are purchased, all which temporarily boost the local economy. But, he said, “There is a portion of people that shoplift, panhandle and steal. I know the Rainbow Gathering would rather not have that stigma, but it is open to all walks of life.”

Duncan said the biggest problem hasn’t been with the Forest Service, who allows the Gathering with or without a permit. “The Rainbow family respects and appreciates the Forest Service,” said Duncan. “It’s really the law enforcement officers [that are a problem]. They set up roadblocks and check everyone coming in. It’s not fair to the gathering public. They have caused incidents at gatherings that have come to near riot situations because of the way they conduct business.”
Ready or not, the Rainbow Gathering is coming to our state.

Courtesy photo
The 2007 Rainbow Gathering took place on Ozark National Forest in Arkansas. Its 2008 Wyo. location will be announced.

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Will Wyoming welcome the Rainbow Gathering? | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

Reader Comments
Sam Petri ~ you missed a major point here! There is a hole in your story. You did not expose the COST to the Wyoming people when it comes to hospital treatment for those Rainbow-ers who get hurt or become really sick. So, um, people - raise your hands if you think most Rainbow family members have health insurance. Ok. Now raise your hands if you'd like to pick up the tab for the upcoming doctor and hospital bills. Concerned Party
Sam, I think the article was informative and i am stoked to possibly go to my first gathering! No matter where the gatherers are in the state, i am sure that there will be wonderful things and potentially bad things that could go down. That's life, but i won't be picking up the tab at any local hospital because we don't have socialized medicine yet, oh dear concerned party who commented above! When have you ever "picked up the tab" for any uninsured person that you did not know? I'll be sure to contact you when i need a hand out! haha, or like most, i'll get a huge medical bill that i will be responsible for. So, good job, Sam, there is no hole in your story, you did your job and you rock as usual! Sunshine K
As to gatherers having medical insurance, my informal guess is that the percentage with health insurance is about the same as the population at large. Many people I know are real excited to be back in Wyoming this year as we have always felt Wyoming to be a good hearted place. If you want to stay in the loop of what's happening, visit http://home.earthlink.net/~scrollinfo/wyoming.html Can't wait to see beautiful Wyoming again. Karin
I've been to Gatherings in PA, WV, and CO, and it's a very enjoyable group camping festival. There are great medics onsite who volunteer their services at a first-aid tent. I also saw volunteers vaccinating puppies against Parvo when I was in CO. Most Rainbow people are employed and view Gatherings as a relaxing vacation that is very akin to a family reunion or a spiritual revival. I'm excited to visit Wyoming this summer! Elise
I am Wyoming raised. Until just this last fall, I had never heard of the gathering. I am so excited to have it in our state. I wish I had the land to allow everybody to gather on. I hope to get to go myself. Blessings. Maria
What is the Rainbow Family of Living Light? First of all, be prepared for a different answer from each person who responds. Rainbow is different things to different people. Most of us, though not all, who consider ourselves part of the Rainbow Family, have attended the Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes, which takes place from July 1 - 7 every year. The first gathering was in 1972, the invitation to it reading as follows: We, who are brothers & sisters, children of God, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves Rainbow Family Tribe, humbly invite: All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love. All nations & national leaders -- out of respect All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith All politicians -- out of charity to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. This gathering to take place beginning July 1, 1972, near Aspen, Colorado - or between Aspen & the Hopi & Navaho lands - on 3000 acres of land that we hope to purchase or acquire for this gathering -- & to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, for three days, but upon the fourth day of July at noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honour & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world -- asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace. - Amen - The 3000 acres never materialized, and the first gathering took place partly on private land offered for temporary use, and partly on National Forest land. As you can see, this was intended to be a onetime event. However, people liked it so much that gatherings continued to happen annually on federal lands, each year in a different state. The length of the gathering has since expanded beyond the original four-day span. For many years, there was only the one gathering, and the spiritual focus was foremost in the minds of everyone who attended. Most folks were identified with the "hippie" movement of the times, engaged in establishing alternative social, economic, spiritual, political, and/or environmental consciousness. Many were involved either in the Peace movement in the cities or the communal, back-to-the-land movement in the country. In either case, exploration of alternative spiritual systems and states of consciousness was often a common theme. Sometime around the mid-1980s, folks who felt it was too far or too long to the annual gathering started coming together for smaller, regional gatherings. People all over the country developed local and regional bonds. In the past few years, the spiritual focus has been less obvious, due to the huge influx of people who may not realize the central purpose of the gatherings. These folks may come to party, to hang out, to find like-minded people, to gain support for their political causes, or whatever. Who knows? (I sure don't, since I haven't spoken with all of them.) The interesting thing is that we all consider ourselves to be part of a huge, extended family, no matter what our reason for gathering, no matter what our spiritual or religious or political or economic or social views may be. And many people who have not yet had an opportunity to attend a gathering also feel they are part of this family. Another interesting thing is that there is no formal organizational structure. There are no membership qualifications, no fees or dues, no leaders, and virtually no rules other than the one of "peaceful respect." Each year, individuals take personal responsibility and work together with others on whatever they are inspired to do, from office work, to scouting, to building the kitchens at the gatherings, to hauling in food and first-aid supplies, to peacekeeping, etc. Every project undertaken operates essentially on a consensus basis. Participation, communication, and cooperation are how things get done. It is nothing short of miraculous. The gatherings are free and non-commercial, and everyone is welcome. Each person is asked to bring their own camping equipment (this all takes place in remote areas of the National Forest), their own cup, bowl, and spoon, and whatever they might want to share to help the gathering happen (tarps, shovels, musical instruments, bulk food, etc.). No one will be turned away because of lacks in these areas, however. The Magic Hat is passed at mealtimes and around camp.Donations are used to buy food in bulk for the kitchens and whatever else may be necessary for the communal well-being (plywood covers and lime for the latrines, first aid supplies, etc.). Besides the work that goes on to help the gathering happen, there's also lots of accoustical music, drumming, dancing, workshops, herb-walks, council circles, sister circles, brother circles, brother-sister circles, people hanging out, people bartering, people enjoying nature, people meditating, chanting, and praying, people talking politics, people talking spiritual and personal growth, people visioning the future, people doing bodywork and other healing work, ... The list could go on forever. For me personally, the Rainbow Family is where I have found my greatest opportunities to learn, to grow, to celebrate, to be one with my fellow beings and my mother Earth, to serve, to pray, to play. The gatherings for me are living theater, evolution in process, creativity manifest. I am passionately in love. Picture twenty thousand people in a sunlit meadow, standing silent in prayer, holding hands in one huge, unbroken circle. Picture a parade of children approaching, singing songs, their countenances bright with enthusiasm and face paint, baloons and banners waving in the breeze. Picture the breaking of the silence with a cheer from the circle, then the silence returning once again, to grow slowly into a thrum of voices united in a single OM reverberating through the valley and on to the hills beyond. Hold the OM in your mind. Let it spread through and around and in you. Feel it pass from hand to hand and heart to heart. The magic, the connection you feel is the essence of the Rainbow Family of Living Light. Peace, love, and light, Carla bodhi
The gathering has it's own doctors, nurses and alternative health practioners who offer their services free of charge and most medical needs are met on site. If you are interested in plugging into this gathering or learning more, visit http://wyominggathering.blogspot.com Love you all and hope to see you at home. Karin
Not my "cup-of-tea". I like to camp in quiet solitude and I'm not into "OHMing" but ya'll have a great time! Suze
I've been doing rainbow for the last five years now...i am employedand a resident of missoula montana (originaly from tallahassee) I'm not into yhe whole kum-bi-ya thing, niether am I drug user...however rainbow is notoriously tolerent of all sorts of quirks. so i quirky guy like myself feels like he's liveing and working amongst true family with the same values and similar politics...rainbow is my country linus
We don't have socialized medicine? Try going to any hospital, telling them you don't have any money or insurance... you will not be refused care! When you get a bill for $234,500... are you able to pay it within 30 days? FYI - "Someone" pays the $234,500! Rainbow people, welcome! Ya'll are just like all the other tourists, we live in a great place and we love to have nice folks come visit us. Duncan's antagonism of local law enforcement on his webpage is unfortunate, but he is probably correct that if he anticipates thick-headed stupid law enforcement officers to harass him... it is likely to happen. I wonder what would happen if he looked forward to meeting local folks, including the cops that help keep the communities he vists safe? (Whether you think you can or think you an't; you are probably right) Local yokal
Dear "Concerned Party" and "Local Yokal" "Someone" pays the bill? Do you mean the inflated, overpriced, profit-hungry amount attached to the most basic and routine services? Well, the hospital writes-off as bad debt every $350 wrap for a burnt hand, every $250-500 charge for walking into an Emergency Room before the doctor even sees you, and thousands of dollars of unessesary tests they decided you "needed" then charge you for! The most extreme cases may cut slightly into the hospitals profit, but not enough to cause any lay-offs or pay cuts (When was the last time you saw doctors on a picket line?) I think you should be more worried about the local single mother who has a job that dosn't offer health insurance and has to take her feverish child to the emergency room because no doctors office will treat her without insurance or $200 cash; forever ruining her credit with an $1500 bill for an exam and antibiotics! Instead of worriying how a peaceful subculture might cost you money or inconvience you, worry about how your lifestyle inconviences and hurts others. BrendaAnn
How funny it all is!!!Celebration is our birth right!!!....Lord knows I have worked my whole adult life serving the public by scrubbing their dishes, and diggin the ditches, and flippin the switches....I have paid the "not so benevolent" U.S. government taxes out of my paychecks..And what I ask is this.... Does this "wonderfull" government give back to us???...They provide a Bus to get to and from work yes...Some roads to drive on yes.....A hospital that don't give a damn whats wrong with you as long as you got the tab,,,So do not tell me about pickin up tabs on sick people because even if you can't pay at the time of arrival(which by the way costs as much as 150.00 just to check in)you still get the bill,and if you are unable to pay it it hits your credit report.And as we all know credit is the systems number one form of slavery....We do not need doctors,we need "healers"...We do not need leaders,we need "FREEDOM"!!We have earned at least this one week out of the whole year to gather and party in a good way...Sharing stories,seeing old friends,singing,dancing,eating beautiful nourishing food,appreciating the wilderness,and praying for goodness and happiness and abundance,with drum and fire and love....The rainbow gathering is a blessing and it is here that for a short time we have a chance to live free and appreciate this earth and let me tell you....YOU WILL SEE WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE,BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE>>>>BUT THIS....THIS IS WHERE THE BEST GALAKTIC PARTY BE!!!! jakob cohen
Here is a link to poor sick and uninsured who pays?... http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A0DEFD81F3FF933A05756C0A960948260 from what I understand its mostly the federal government not the state Harmony
All these comments come from the rainbow disinformation team. They will leave 72 tons of feces on public lands, take social services INTENDED for the locals and NOT clean up after themselves. Don't believe the hype. Ray White Sage
if you people weren't so worried about money and worried more about WORLD PEACE and love, this land would be a much better place Hannah
I went to the Rainbow Gathering 10yrs ago, which was held near Showlow, Arizona. I personally saw members of State Law enforcement and US Forest Service being very respectful towards the Rainbow Community..they came in on horseback, and agreed to enter unarmed and in PEACE...they met with Rainbow tribal council and whatever problem was worked out peacefully. I also witnessed untold environmental damage due to this size gathering. I believe that there were roughly 13,000 that year in attendance; far exceeding the number such a small area can handle. I saw beautiful mountain meadow streams with soap residue and expelled toothpaste froth..I know that sanitation is and was a major problem...people were digging makeshift latrines and not digging them deep enough...If these people profess to love the land and EARTH so dearly, then it would seem logical that they would attempt to mitigate their impact...the problem is that "Rainbow" is a decentralized organization and there are really n o rules, or even any guidelines for that matter...I have not returned to the Rainbow Family Gathering as it is not the UTOPIA that had been promised or talked about...Rainbow Gatherings in National Forests are not sustainable and should be limited in size and impact to the Public lands or held on private land with proper sanitation facilities and a clear understanding of what is expected from the people who attend. Jay

Music Arts Culture

Will Wyoming welcome the Rainbow Gathering?

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Reader Comments