It wasn’t just the first Earth Lodge in the Southern Hemisphere—it was a milestone for the global SMSD community.
BY LAURA DOE HARRIS
Fall 2025
In 2024, the dream of bringing Earth Lodge to Australia finally came true. Rooted in the teachings and ceremonies of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path, our first Earth Lodge celebrated its origins while stepping boldly into new territory. It wasn’t just the first Earth Lodge in the Southern Hemisphere—it was a milestone for the global SMSD community.
Earth Lodge traces back to 1991, when Diane Sea Dancer Battung dreamed it into existence. Inspired by a vision of Rainbow Spiritual Warriors gathering to learn and grow together, Diane, Mary Minor, and Janneke Koole brought the first Earth Lodge to life in Germany’s Black Forest. Since then, Earth Lodge has spread its magic to Italy, and Australia has become the third location to host this unique family event.
Bringing Earth Lodge to Australia took a committed team of teachers and ceremonialists. Our beloved A-Road’s Janneke and Razel led the way with their wisdom, guidance, and heartfelt generosity, ceremonialists Sonia and Brad brought their steady, grounding presence, while Jennie Dawson travelled from the UK to share her maku, adding an international touch of collaboration and care. Together, this incredible leadership team created a foundation of unity and growth.
Earth Lodge Australia was many years in the dreaming. The seed was planted in 2018 when Laura-Doe attended Earth Lodge in Italy with her son Avalon. It was tended through seasons of hope, delay, and deep listening. While our first attempt was paused by the pandemic, the vision never faded. Over time, the Dream Team evolved, with people stepping in and out as life allowed—but one thread remained constant: the unwavering vision held by our womb mother and initiator, Laura-Doe, whose devotion to birthing Earth Lodge in Australia has been at the heart of it all.
Dream Team members Samantha Brumpton, Marika Heblinski and Kim Lewis stood shoulder to shoulder in the crucial months leading up to the 2024 gathering, bringing their medicine, grit, and grace to every part of the process. Ben Baker also played a crucial role in shaping the early foundation, and remains on the team holding the flame.
While Earth Lodge was dreamed by a few, it was built by many. Our incredible staff—the Children’s Lodge leaders, Teen Lodge mentors, Fire Crew, Kitchen Team, Dog Soldiers, Camp Care crew, and every hand that helped lift a pole or hold space for someone’s tears—made this vision real. Each person in our staff photo is part of this sacred weaving, not just running a camp or event, we were making the unknown known. Most of us had never attended an Earth Lodge before—yet with courage, creativity, and collective care, we stepped into the mystery and brought something extraordinary to life.
Our first Earth Lodge Australia brought together 40 participants, most of whom were brand new to the SMSD path and the knowledge and ceremonies from this Path’s Rites of Passage. The sense of connection and shared purpose made it a week to remember.
Rites of Passage are the heart of Earth Lodge and offer ceremonies for everyone. Children experienced Water Blessings and Naming Ceremonies. Teens took part in Medicine Naming ceremonies, while adults participated in powerful transitions, such as the 45-year Owl Mask Dreaming and 60-year Honouring the Elder Purification Lodge. These moments gave participants the chance to reflect, grow, and connect with their life’s journey.
Tarnie captured the spirit of the week, calling it “enjoyable, spacious heart-mind-body-soul-spirit connection, mindful, warm, and freeing.” She loved everything from drumming and chanting medicine songs to her personal Rite of Passage. “Earth Lodge was a beautiful introduction to this path.”
For Niki, a single mum, the Children’s Lodge team made all the difference. “This week is a gift to the soul. Earth Lodge offers ceremonies and community that are missing in everyday life. Come! Be held! Be nurtured!”
Families thrived at Earth Lodge. Experiences for kids and teens included storytelling, archery, and crafting power objects, creating a space for their own growth and exploration. Ruthie, a 10-year-old participant, said she loved the activities and made friends that she felt would remain with her for life. Teens described the camp as “awesome and fun,” and particularly cherished their medicine naming ceremony.
For the staff team, what we built was so much more than a camp—it was a living ceremony of becoming. A dynamic opportunity to bring the tools and teachings of the SMSD Path into action, and co-create a Fifth World community—a place where the values of beauty, balance, harmony, and connection are lived.The wheels were not just given teachings, but tools that shaped our planning and keys to guide our actions. The whole experience of Earth Lodge was a ceremony, brimming with living, breathing moments of transformation, weaving new ways of being together.
Singles, couples, families with small children, teenagers and elderly people alike – everyone is invited to join us! At Earth Lodge, there’s a lodge for everybody, all age groups. Each age group is involved in activities, teachings and ceremonies that will support each participant in the very individual process of self-discovery and development.
In Australia, Italy, & USA
As the newest addition to the lineage of Earth Lodges, we have honoured its roots while forging a new path. The hard work and dedication of the team and participants proved that even the unknown can become something truly special. Of course, there were lessons learned. Feedback suggested enhancing communication, adding more workshops during downtime, and adjusting aspects of the facilities. Yet, the overwhelming takeaway was gratitude and inspiration. Deva, an elder, shared, “At Earth Lodge, I felt a profound sense of belonging in the community. It was an experience that fed my heart and soul.”
We have laid the foundation for future gatherings. As we look to what’s next, we carry forward the love and connections that have begun here. With every new gathering, we deepen our bond with the SMSD Path and our global family.
Whether you’re an apprentice, a student or curious newcomer, you are warmly invited to join us for the next Earth Lodge Australia, happening in the beautiful Australian springtime, from 28 September to 3 October 2026 in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Queensland.
If you feel called to contribute your medicine, we welcome you to the staff team. From helping in the kitchen to holding ceremonies, supporting our kids and teens, or caring for the land and lodges—there’s a place for you in the circle.
Come share your gifts and help us co-create something truly magical.
To learn more, register, or apply to staff, visit: www.earthlodgeaustralia.com or contact us at earthlodgeaus@gmail.com
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