What to bring to the Gathering

Don't forget that you may be on a shuttle and/or hiking a few miles between where your vehicle is parked and where you decide to camp.  If people offer to help carry your gear, and people will, make sure you stay together.  Don't get separated from your gear on a shuttle or the hike in.  Things are chaotic and you and your gear may not hook up again for a few days - which could be a total bummer.

In gathering speak, we have raps and there is a great rap called the Turtle Rap.  If you have not been to a gathering before, read this carefully.  For other raps, visit an old website: RainbowGuide.info - but still has the basic raps,

Process Prevails

Today's blog post has been brought to you by a guest blogger (Sibling).  Enjoy!

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What follows is a brief summary of how the folks gathering and the Forest Service have dealt with usual issues related to gatherings: health and safety, environmental and ecological concerns, and the permit issue.  This covers the last three peaceable assemblies aka Annual Rainbow Gatherings in TN 2012, WA 2011, and PA in 2010. For the last three years, I have assisted with facilitating the manner in which the gatherers and the Forest Service interface.  The manner that works best for the long run of the gatherings is face-to-face communication, in a circle or council, with an invitation to all to all attend.  Using a feather to speak one at a time and listening to each other’s concerns, questions, and solutions. 

I will take you back a bit though. There was a regional gathering in PA before the annual gathering in 2010.  Planning for that regional, a few of us had a hunch that one-day the annual gathering would return to the Northeastern US.  We felt that the way we dealt with the Forest Service would become an important steppingstone to future interactions. The outcome of that regional was an Operation Plan crafted by all interested gatherers and a signed permit, but most importantly, it was the circle/council process where the FS was able to present the issue, the gatherers were open to ask questions and answer questions and an Operations Plan that was agreed upon.  We had open and transparent dialogue where all who were interested participated, and spoke for themselves.

If one does not know the legacy of the permit issue, it is worth looking into. Some years, permits have been signed and some years, they have not.  For the past three years, we have done the circle/council with the Forest Service and have agreed to an Operations Plan without the need for a permit signature!

Historically, the permit issue has strained the interactions between the gatherers and Forest Service Resource folks and Law Enforcement. Occasionally it has infringed upon the open flow of communication with local health and safety officials, FS Resource, tribal councils, the press, and other interested parties.  In general, most gatherers have faced the gauntlet of police presence at some time during their gathering experience.  Some gatherers have been harassed, ticketed and even imprisoned over the permit issue. For some of us, at times, it has felt like we were at war with the US Forest Service over the permit.

 During the times of heightened conflict over the permit issue, I estimate that probably a third of those attending the gathering were not even aware of what was going on, the importance of the issue, the risks certain individuals took to solve the problem, and/or the consequences of our non-compliance.  For many years, it seemed that there were a few dozen or so dedicated individuals dealing with the permit issue but not nearly enough were informed.  And unfortunately, the issue was usually dealt with in the parking lot; at roadblocks; at meetings held before the actual gathering where decisions were made; or permits signed from someone’s office a thousand miles away from those who were actually assembled. What bothered me was that the issue seemed so rarely be taken to circle or council for a full hashing out.  I wanted to create the opportunity to hash it out!

So that became our goal for facilitating the regional gathering in PA.  Briefly speak with the Forest Service before the regional and then insist that any further meetings happen at a circle, that we would be willing to facilitate.  Of course, it works, go back to basics. A circle that they attend, pass a feather, ask questions, answer questions, and everyone is welcome.  You know, like we do so well. 
For the past three annual assemblies, after initial contact with the FS, those who have initiated contact have insisted that the next exchange of information would be “on the land” with the goal of transparency thus leading to an increased input and understanding for all.

Despite the fact that nobody can or should try to speak for anyone but themselves, the Forest Service and others not accustomed to non-hierarchical decision making - ie. Group process, process or consensus decision-making - have a hard time seeing in this way.  This has led to sort of defacto leaders in the eyes of the FS who are accustomed to navigating in a hierarchical structure and it is often difficult for them to even imagine a community functioning via consensus as the gathering community does. But gatherings have no leaders; every voice is important and vital to the beauty and full spectrum color of the rainbow. All of us had to start somewhere and with patience and a willingness to listen we get it done. As challenging as it is, process prevails way after personalities have gone.

For the last three years, those attending spring council and seed camp for the annual gathering who were interested in participating have been able to be a part of a circle or council with the Forest Service Resource people and the Law Enforcement, when requested.  It has been the most efficient for the FS to speak for themselves and communicate directly with the community that has assembled regarding issues related to the health and safety of the land and the people gathered.

The Operations Plan used during that regional and the last three annual gatherings are worth looking at. Each one is individual are reflects the specific needs of the gathering location.  Hopefully they will be discussed in full at this years’ spring council/circle on the land. 

In service, Sibling 5/2013

A Brief Summary of Gathering/Forest Service Relationships (take 1)

I find it helpful to have a basic understanding of situations in order to make informed decisions going into the future.  While my understanding of the relationship between the gathering and the United States Forest Service (USFS) is just one perspective, I hope that putting together a brief summary of how things have gone may help myself and other to see the big picture.

As I wasn't around until the late 1980s, I will try to keep my summary focused on things I do know and let others fill in the rest.

At the first gathering of the tribes, the USFS told family that a gathering could not happen without a permit and that no permit would be issued.  The next several years, the issue disappeared from the radar. From 1976 to 1980 permits were signed, often under protest. If you're interested in the details, read Plunker's summary of the permit issue from 1972 to 1983: Permit Herstory.

In 1984, the Forest Service enacted a regulation requiring a permit for any expressive assembly of ten or more people on Forest Service lands. This was unenforced for a year and a half before the Service attempted to apply it to the gathering in Arizona in 1986.

In 1987 at the North Carolina gathering, the state tried to tell us we need a permit for all public gatherings. After a lot of legal wrangling and an elephant, Judge Dave issued a consent decree that theoretically was not a permit, but .....Judge Dave was so taken with his experience in 1987 that he has written a book about it called Judge Dave and the Rainbow People. All didn't end so well as some of the cleanup crew where arrested. Click here for the consent order.

 In 1988 at the Texas gathering, the USFS demanded a permit and when family just said no, they blockaded the gathering and refused to allow ingress to the gathering site. Family walked around the blockade to bring in supplies. The situation wound up in court. The judge presiding over the hearing was Mr. Justice or as he is more commonly known in Rainbow Circles Justice Justice.   This regulation was deemed unconstitutional because not all groups of ten or more people were required to obtain a permit. In other words, if people attending the gathering were sharing information, fliers, beliefs, etc, then a permit was required. However, if they weren't, then no permit required.  For Plunker's rap on what happened, click here.


The USFS Group Use Regulations governing "special events" were struck down at the 1988 gathering in Texas --visit these sites for more info: 

• AP News article 
• Creative Philosophy Summary 
• Houston Chronicle Article

The USFS regrouped and tried to write regulations governing special events that would stand up in court.  It took them quite some time and if you're interested in a perspective on how that all happened, read the PC&U's article, From the Trenches.  (This article was written just after the Wyoming 1994 gathering).

In late 1995, a new set of group use regulations was published by the government that required any group of 75 or more people to apply for a "Group Use Permit" under the Non-Commercial Group Use Regulations.

In 1996, one individual signed a permit and then later tried to rescind it. For a summary, see the Ozark Gazette article.  Folks gathered and so it goes.

In 1997 at the annual gathering in Oregon, the USFS tried a new tactic: they came with arrest warrants for people they deemed "secret leaders"  and then these "secret leaders" counter sued. We had an amazing council for days on end with the USFS and worked out an unsigned operating plan on the land.  (You can find copies of a few of these plans here). Finally, the USFS bullied a woman in Portland who had a child at the gathering to sign a permit, which she did.

Wrangling over the permit continued at the Arizona gathering in 1998.  While a small victory was won by a gatherer, it was a technicality and had no great impact on the future course of events. 
For a summary of events, see the Arizona Republic Article or the New York Times article.

During the 1999 Rainbow Gathering in Pennsylvania, 3 individuals were chosen by the Forest Service's Incident Command Team as "secret leaders," and cited for not applying for a group use permit. As Rainbow is a leaderless, self-created temporary community, these charges were totally bogus. Unfortunately, due some legal maneuverings by the USFS, the "Rainbow 3"  lost their case (they weren't allowed any witnesses, among other things). An attempt was made to bring the case to the US Supreme Court, but the justices declined to take the case and the "Rainbow 3" spent time in the federal prison system for refusing to illegally sign a permit. For more legal information, click here,  here or here or read the article that appeared in Legal Affairs.

Moving out west for 2000 in Montana, a cat and mouse game played out between the "secret leaders" with some of them sneaking in and out of the gathering to avoid continued legal harassment and the USFS. Three people were picked out by the Forest Service as “Rainbow leaders” to receive tickets for camping without a noncommercial group use permit. One of the defendants challenged his ticket. The Forest Service replied, as they had in the previous cases, that the group use regulation was a constitutional time, place, and manner restriction that is narrowly tailored to fit the specific government needs of protecting Forest Service resources, insuring public safety, and deciding between competing uses in a way that leaves open ample alternative channels for expression. Furthermore the signature requirement was a valuable means of ensuring that the group would adhere to the terms of the special use authorization and of protecting against fraudulent statements. All three defendants were sentenced to jail time although the sentences varied.

The cat and mouse game continued in Idaho in 2001 with tickets for all despite the fact that a permit application was made and denied.   While I don't have the exact number of citations issued for being at a an "illegal gathering" (One with more than 74 people and no permit), there's a great article from the Boise Weekly on the issue and my guess is over 500 if not closer to 1,000 people received the magic ticket.   The governor issued a declaration of emergency. The USFS even went so far as to inform the local chapter of Trout Unlimited that they would be unable to perform restoration work in conjunction with gatherers.  By the 4th of July, USFS mounted officers were seen joining in the celebration for world peace and the positive evolution of the planet.

In 2002 the gathering was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and drinking water was in short supply. The USFS tried to smoke us out by dumping drinking water en route to the gathering. but the local townsfolks  help out.  Then the USFS refused to issue a permit to an applicant.  Finally, the USFS decided that the illegal gathering could happen on one side of the river but not the other.  The infamous "west bank" of the river became off limits to everyone although every evening after they USFS LEOs went home for the day, we gathered there for dinner circle and for the silence on the 4th.

In 2003, a long time gatherer approached the USFS and promised to sign a permit for the gathering in Utah. He followed through on his plan meeting with officials before hand but the situation with the USFS was as bad as ever.  The USFS expected the permit signer to be responsible for every detail of the gathering and we all know that was doomed to failure.

Prior to the California 2004 gathering, meetings and telephone calls with the USFS took place in an attempt to find a workable solution for both sides - including a meeting with the head of the USFS in the Haight-Ashbury library in San Francisco.  Despite attempts to trying to work together, things didn't work out and the gathering was once again declared "illegal." Again someone not affiliated with the gathering signed a permit, but the USFS kept up it's campaign of intimidation, people were cited for being at an illegal event before the permit was signed, and the USFS declared the site off limits to nudity despite the fact that nudity was legal at this location before the gathering started.  People who were cited for being at an illegal gathering or being naked by their tent were treated to a visit to kangaroo court: a makeshift court just for us in some random building located in a small town near the gathering.

West Virginia in 2005 marks the first time the annual gathering relocated under pressure from the USFS.  A permit was signed for a location that the USFS wanted us to be on, many people received tickets for being at an "illegal gathering" and kangaroo Court was set up at the local visitor's center.
  In 2006, the USFS put up road blocks at the Colorado gathering in a failed attempt to prevent people from entering yet another "illegal gathering," many citations were written to people at the gathering, folks walked in through the woods (just like in 1972), kangaroo court took place in the local Fire Station and someone applied for a group use permit, which the Forest Service denied.

Arkansas 2007 was an attempt to work with the upper levels of the USFS  on a cooperative solution and the USFS took an unsigned operating plan worked out with gathering participants on the land in lieu of a falsified signature on a permit.  Life didn't change that much and the LEOs pulled pepper spray guns at family when they arrested a young woman (without bothering to inform her that she was being arrested).

The tension escalated the following year in Wyoming 2008. Again, the USFS accepted an unsigned operating plan worked out with gatherers on the land in lieu of a permit.  Unfortunately, the tension between the heads of the USFS who agreed to the unsigned operating plan model and the LEOs on the ground played out in the LEOs shooting up Kid Village with the same pepper spray paint ball guns they pulled the previous year. For perspectives on this situation from gatherers, click here.   For the report from the federal government on this incident, click here.

And by my accounts, Wyoming 2008 marks the absolute low in the relationship between the United States Forest Service and the Rainbow Gathering.

The New Mexico gathering in 2009 was a strange one.  Again someone not affiliated with the gathering signed a permit.  Everyone was jumpy after 2008. The US Marshals were there to baby sit the USFS LEOs and despite some scary moments, the US Marshals kept the USFS LEOs peaceful (that's not the official party line but I spent a lot of time on that movie and myself as well as others I know believe this to be true). 

Then starting with Pennsylvania, 2010, gatherers on the land, working cooperatively with USFS resource and law enforcement personnel continued with the unsigned operating plan model.  The day we counciled on the actual operating plan, the head of the forest and the law enforcement incident commander sat in council with us, passed the feather, and worked together to address concerns, issues and problems.  :)

That relationship continued in Washington 2011 with really awesome USFS LEO leadership working with folks on the land.  An unsigned operating plan was worked out between gatherers and USFS resource personnel. 

Tennessee 2012 continued the unsigned operating plan model.

All this brings us to this year.  As I'm finishing up this blog post I started in early March, I just received an email from someone who was at the meeting today on the land with the USFS and I hear everyone is feeling really positive about a cooperative relationship for 2013.  Now keep in mind, when I say cooperative and mellow, I am referring to the situation inside the gathering, not on the road or when you're in your vehicles driving in.  To be adequately prepared for the road, read the right sidebar message.

I'll probably rework this post at some point to update it with more details.  if I do so, I will update the date.

Finally, if you're interested in my analysis of where we went wrong in how gathering participants responded to the conflicts between folks on the land and the government, click here.

If you've managed to read this entire post, you now have a clue.  If you managed to read all the links, you actually understand the journey we've been on with the US Government.  As far as I'm concerned, gatherers sharing love and acting peacefully took on the US Government and we're still standing - quite an accomplishment family.  I know many of us have had differences of opinions over the years on how to deal with this situation and I think this saga proves that we're on a good path, one with many perspectives, a bit of bickering, and more love than my heart can hold. 

Additional References

USFS Non-commercial group use regulations

Welcome Home's FS Regs page

Butterfly Bill's nice summary of court cases.

Butterfly Bill's stories of gatherings' past.

Karin's archive of FOIA Requests

May 9 Meeting with USFS outside Townsend, Montana on BLM Land

Updated 5/10/13 @ 6:30 AM

UPDATE INFO ON USFS MEETING AND SITE:

On Crow Creek Road, outside Radersburg,  Montana, preliminary verbal Operating Plan… being worked out, for Relay Station (scout volunteers and early folks into area)… Operating Plan for Site along Crow Creek Road…. Until after Spring Circle… (few days for clean-up_... worked out with District Ranger, Resource, and Incident Commander of Gathering, plus chief law Enforcement officer jon herrick…. Unsigned Operating plan  to be worked out for this relay station (on paper) -- models annual Gathering (later on)… good encampment


UPDATED DIRECTIONS FROM A FRIENDat 9:45 PM on 5/9/13

I just got back from the relay station site (holding camp)
and wanted to get the family some more info to help people feel confident that they can find it:

the site  is    6 miles    past Radersburg  on Crow Creek Rd

you pass an obvious campground on the left and then a little further on there is
 a Rainbow flag on the right  that "UXXX" put up

this is the spot until after May 15 when FS will open the gate the woods up in there are gorgeous!!
barring any further changes further up into the woods is a good area for a (holding camp) to wait until spring council consenses on the  site for the annual

*****Original post below here*****

 howdy,
          travel on highway 12 to TOSTON, montana.. then, go west on
hwy 285 to RADESBURG... from there go slightly north and west on CROW
CREEK RD... all the way to a Campground.... then past that.. to on
the RIGHT is Welcome Home!

    this is to a RELAY STATION
     for Scout Volunteers... and, any EARLY folks....
Meeting is at 11am.. thursday, May 9th... with Forest Service "on the
current land where the circle is..."

 be there on Thursday May 9th... between 11am.... till 1pm. Meeting with USFS Jonathan L Herrick and possibly others.

This is also the location for the Scout Rendezvous May 10 to 15 for those interested in scouting.  If you intend to scout, and please read the info on the first Scout Rendezvous in April so you know what's expected for this type of an activity.  You can find it here.

**** Please be self sufficient if you come out ****

Water Filters and Staying Healthy

One of the ways we keep each other healthy is by drinking filtered water. Many people will argue that when we gather in the mountains, the water is clean.  Well not to burst your bubble, but the springs may or may not be safe to drink and the lines we lay to bring spring water from the hills down into the gathering are only as safe as the last time a dog or a horse shit on the line.  All it takes is one tiny crack and the spring water is now dog poop spring water.  Or bear poop, deer poop, horse poop, bobcat poop, etc.

Don't forget, that many people who gather drink city water during the year and their bowels aren't adjusted to live water. Even folks who drink live water on a regular basis have adjusted to the critters in their local water and a new set of critters can leave even the most hardened back woods homesteader leaving a trail behind them.  Just because you are young and healthy and can handled a week of diarrhea without a thought doesn't mean that all our family can. Small children, the elderly and people with chronic health conditions can end up in the hospital when from diarrhea.

If you or anyone you know is thinking of purchasing  Katadyn filters (.2 micron) for an upcoming gathering, please get in touch with Team Hydration to get the lowest price available.  Together our money goes further than it does separately.

In addition to trying to get us the best possible price on filters, Team Hydration sets up Hydration Stations scattered about the gathering so people can fill their jugs with clean and safe drinking water.   Having safe and clean drinking water is one of the most important things we can do for a safe and positive gathering.  The alternative is a gathering full of diarrhea.

I personally know the folks behind this effort and know that the money will be spent as intended.  

So what's it going to be family.  Together our $5 or $50 dollar donations will keep a lot of people safe and healthy.  Click here to donate.

Team Hydration will also accept donations for the water crew that runs water lines throughout the gathering, please leave a comment with your donation if you want the funds to go to the water line crew vs the water filter crew.

Finally don't forget that we can't just run down to the local general store and buy filters.  By collecting funds ahead of time, all the equipment we need can be ordered ahead of time so clean and safe drinking water becomes available as soon as possible after we land at home.  Click here to donate! 

Please feel to contact Jules or Team Hydration directly if you have any questions, would like to get involved, or would like to get a filter system for your camp or kitchen.  Please copy and distribute this information to all points of light.

Coffee with USFS on Tuesday April 16

If you are in or near Missoula, please make an effort to participate.

Coffee meeting @ Zootown (I'm guessing its a local coffee shop).

11 AM.  USFS LEO Jon and possibly others.

Scout Rendezvous April 20

Updated 4/20/13

Scout Rendezvous is a meet up for anyone who wants to plug into the scouting process. If you've not been before, please read Scouting 101 or Jules on Scouting so that you can prepared to contribute to the process.

This is not a gathering, campout or drum circle.  As with all things gathering related, no experience is necessary. Even if you don't have time to go scouting, but you do have time to make the Rendezvous, please come out and take the opportunity to learn from family who have lots of experience scouting.

*** Begin forwarded message ****

according to consensus from thanksgiving circle... there is to be some sort of get-together of scouting this weekend...

   for many of those in montana... who are, in fact, looking to scout... it is realized that snow is still in the high country... i.e. 5500 ft.... etc... and, in fact, actual beginning of on the land scouting is more likely to take place AFTER april 20th.. i.e. 4/20....

for those who would like to scout... hopefully, self-sufficient, capable.. with own transportation, food, etc.. who would like to jump in on the scouting scene...

   meeting 4/20... april 20   at the park in the town of Pony, Montana... south of Three Forks, Montana.. (on way to Petosi Hot Springs)... check your maps...




  there are people at the initiating scout rendezvous site ... go to town of Pony, Montana... south of Three Forks, etc.... check maps....

   and, there is all the weather conditions....
        please come, enjoy the "scout movie"... AND, please come prepared.... self-sufficient as possible.... food, warm clothes.. etc... transportation... what it takes...

        Sites.. as they open re: snow, etc.. will be checked out...
        and then, in early June.... whatever are even potential or possible Sites... will need to be checked out i.e. the Springs, and Water....  one more time... in  early June ----

           folks... no one knows where the Annual Gathering is going to be, yet... in Early June.... hope to know.... part research, scouting, and vision... spirit singing....

           major criteria this year... IF at all possible.. looking for lower elevation Sites, with all the good elements i.e. springs, recreation water... parking areas... common ground (meadows) etc...
   many older, frail folks be wanting to be Home this Year...
all to the Good..

          so, lower elevation, workable... is high on the vibe....

        AND... All viable Sites will be scouted, all elevations.. etc...