In many cultures throughout the world, medicine staffs have been used by their bearers to empower -- to support and gather the strength and wisdom to meet life’s challenges.

This workshop was held in May of 2009 at the Mendocino Art Center. Workshop participants created their own medicine staffs. Through the use of personal stories, participants called forth the warrior, healer, or seer, found in each of us and found support in their own personal challenges associated with cancer. Participants constructed their staffs out of driftwood and decorated them with pictures and a variety of symbolic materials brought by Thais Mazur, who led the workshop.