The River Valley Goddess Temple
…is nestled in the traditional unceded territory of the Kitchawanc Tribe of the Wappinger Confederacy of the Algonquin nation, in what is now known as "Croton-on-Hudson", NY. Croton itself is believed to be named for the Chief of the Kitchawanc tribe, Kenoten, which means "wild wind."
This land is home to the oldest oyster shell burial ground in the North Atlantic, located at Croton Point Park, dating back at least 7000 years according to archeologists. Like so many of the Indigenous people of the Americas, the Kitchawanc tribe was coerced into giving up their ancestral lands by the Dutch Colonists in the 17th century. We honor the Kitchawanc peoples at the beginning of each ceremony with offerings of land acknowledgement. Unfortunately, the tribe itself was displaced, but one of the priorities of our spiritual community is to give back, in whatever ways we can, to the Indigenous tribes who are still prevalent in this area.
We stand in solidarity with local Wappinger tribes and spend time learning from indigenous wisdom keepers about how we can help with land preservation and support the struggles that still to this day are befalling them. We weave this work in with annual fundraiser efforts as well as showing up in person when called.
Join the
temple.
Gain access to members-only ceremonies, divinations, and events each month. Your monthly donations help our efforts of land preservation, Temple upkeep, and scholarship funding for our educational programs.
Make a
donation.
We rely on donations to support our efforts of land preservation, eco-activism, and community care. Thank you for supporting our mission of helping to bring humanity back into right-relationship with Mother Earth.