Past & Present
Founded in 1990
Circles of Empowerment formed as a way to better support the growing need for ceremony in the community and to support the founders. As our ceremonial population grew, it was clear that we wanted to organize our efforts.
How We Work
Today, Circles of Empowerment is an incorporated non-profit organization, administered by our Board of Directors.
As an organization whose mission it is to promote a Native American inspired Medicine Way, including ceremonies as our primary offering, we are run entirely by volunteers who are passionate about being in service.
The volunteers who administer our daily operations as well as our public events have been called to service and are available to you to talk about the different ways in which you could become more involved yourself, as an organizer, in ceremony, and in support of the teachings we offer.
Community members are invited to consider reciprocity to the community through volunteering in these ways.
Based on the Central Coast of California, Circles of Empowerment is situated at the Western Gate of this Turtle Island.
We are a community who engage in and connect through ceremonial gatherings, events, teachings, and meetings.
Those who wish to enter training may do so under the guidance of the organization’s Spiritual Lead and founder, Hua Anwa, as well as through the teachings of our beloved Elders and Wisdomkeepers. Passing tobacco and making requests honors our teachers and promotes legacy. This type of training is not available in a classroom and can only be learned via direct oral tradition.
Circles of Empowerment is the name of our recognized 501(c)3 organization, which operates under the umbrella of the Church of Empowerment, a non-denominational, non-profit entity.