1. All participants are required to bring tobacco offerings (four in total). We ask that you bring your tobacco, as well as one metre of RED cloth (only RED cloth). Paul will teach everyone how to make prayer ties. The four offerings are for the prayer before entering the sweat lodge, for the firekeeper, for the lodge keeper and for the prayer after the ceremony is complete.

2. All participants must bring their own towels and fresh clothing to change into after the lodge.

3. Men must wear shorts or a sarong. No one may enter the lodge without clothing.

4. Women must swear long skirts (at least down to the ankle) in the lodge. Shoulders, cleavage, tummies and legs must be covered at all times in the lodge. No bathing suits, bikini/halter tops, short shorts or short skirts.

6. No participant will have partaken in any alcohol or drug consumption at least four days prior to the sweat lodge. We do not permit people who use alcohol or drugs into the lodge at any time. You must be sober for at least four days before the ceremony. In our culture, drugs and alcohol are bad medicine and allowing a person into the lodge who has consumed either can result in extreme physical, emotional and/or spiritual harm to others in the lodge.

NOTE: We trust people to be honest with us about this. If you are not, and you enter the lodge, know that you are putting everyone in the lodge, including yourself, at great risk of harm.

7. Women on their moon time (menstrual cycle) are not permitted in or around the lodge at any time. Women on their moon time may not be around the lodge and they may not participate in any part of the ceremony, including preparing of food. You are still welcome to come, but you cannot be around the ceremony or participate in it.

NOTE: The reason for this is because women are viewed as being extremely powerful beings, especially during their moon time. Traditionally, women on their moon times take a break from all ceremonies during this time and we continue that tradition with our lodge. Also, women were given the gift of regeneration through their moon cycles, whereas men were not. The lodge helps men regenerate and be reborn, a cycle women take part in naturally each month.

8. Drums, rattles and shakers are permitted in the lodge, so bring them if you have them. The spirits love drumming, singing and rattling. It makes them very happy!

9. No small children may participate in the ceremony.

10. If you bring someone to the ceremony, you are responsible for them. If they bring bad medicine, you are responsible for that. Only bring those you trust to the ceremony, in the interest of the spiritual, emotional and physical safety of everyone present.

11. Paul will go over the lodge, the ceremony and how we conduct it with participants. He will explain everything. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask.

This is how we run our lodge and we ask that this protocol be adhered to. It is run very traditionally and we ask that it be respected. If participants do not adhere to the protocol, they will not be permitted to participate.