Youth Passageways Guardians

Gigi Coyle

Gigi‘s life and work are focused on integral healing through right livelihood, social action, rites of passage, council and the arts. She is a catalyst and consultant, a facilitator and guide: a person who assists in building bridges, understanding, and awareness with individuals and groups.

In the late 70’s after a decade of work in social justice and international relations, Gigi turned her attention to a deeper look into the healing and system changes she and others longed for – thru the study of different spiritual traditions, modern and ancient healing methods, direct personal experiences of ceremony and Nature. This led to her arrival in 1981 at The School of Lost Borders and The Ojai Foundation – the beginning of a long-term relationship with fellow educator Jack Zimmerman, with whom she developed the Council Practice as a means of heightening one’s capabilities for deep listening and truthful communication. She is co-author of The Way of Council, co-founder of the Center for Council Training and continues to work as a community facilitator and trainer of trainers. She has served as Co–Director and Co Chair of the Board of Ojai Foundation and as an Associate Director, guide and trainer for the School of Lost Borders during the past 30 years. Currently, she serves on elders council for both organizations and gives much of her time and attention to an inter-generational pilgrimage of service – Beyond Boundaries and Walking-Water.

Gigi was also a principal in the development of the Terma Company, an alternative publishing venture and corporate training program, responsible for co-creating The Box; Remembering The Gift. She continues her efforts today assisting similar artistic activist projects that guide and inspire regenerative life, work, and community.

Gigi has been instrumental in the founding of Youth Passageways, providing vision and guidance throughout the process. She was part of the core organizing team for the 2012 Summit at Ojai as well as Youth Passageways’ founding Stewardship Council gathering, and has continued to provide leadership and support ever since.

She resides in Big Pine, California, at 3 Creeks, a small oasis, where she works with her husband Win, members of the Biosphere Foundation and others to create a sanctuary of care.

Orland Bishop

Orland Bishop combines a deep dedication to human rights advocacy and cultural renewal with an extensive study of medicine, naturopathy, psychology and indigenous cosmologies. He was a research fellow with the Center for the Study of Violence and Social Change at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles and has consulted with many human development organizations. As director of Shade Tree Multicultural Foundation in Los Angeles, he has pioneered approaches to urban truces and mentoring at-risk youth that combine new ideas with traditional ways of knowledge.

Shade Tree reaches into gang and drug cultures where many young people expect to die before the age of 20.

“These young people feel that they are not welcome in the world, in the culture and in the future,” Orland explains.

Shade Tree employs a unique process that draws on both contemporary and ancient practices, particularly that of the South African tradition of Indaba or “deep talk.” Hidden Forces of the American Dream refers to the creative, still unused powers available to the American people and land that were released through tremendous sacrifices made over the course of American history by Native Americans, African slaves and waves of immigrants.

Orland has provided guidance and wisdom throughout the founding of Youth Passageways. He attended the 2012 Summit at Ojai as well as Youth Passageways’ founding Stewardship Council gathering, served as a member of the Leadership Circle during YPW’s first year, and has continued to provide leadership and support ever since.

Dallas Chief Eagle

Dallas Chief Eagle Jr. is a K-12 art teacher with a Master’s degree in guidance counseling and personal services. A recognized master of the Lakota hoop dance, Chief Eagle has worked as an artist in-residence and mentor through his Hoop dance studio in the All Nations Gathering Center on the Pine Ridge Reservation. A member of the Rosebud Lakota Nation, Chief Eagle shares and teaches the traditional hoop dance in a manner that the students enjoy while learning about the development of their own characters.

Chief Eagle will also introduce Grandpa Rock to the students while they sit around a buffalo robe. Each day core students will experience Grandpa Rock exercises that improve self-awareness and management skills. These Grandpa Rock exercises have proven to replace the burdens of pain, confusion and suffering with peace, compassion and joy. The finale of the residency is a school assembly or public performance during which core groups demonstrate the skills they acquired throughout the week.