Robert
and Diane Gilman of Ecovillages
and Sustainable Communities
(1991) define it as “a fully-featured human settlement in which
human activities are integrated into the natural environment in a way
that is sustainable into the indefinite future.”
To
achieve this, ecovillagers integrate various aspects of ecological
design, permaculture, ecological building, green production,
alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.
Ecovillages strive to be sustainable, of course, on the ecological
level but also on the social and community level, the economic level,
and in cultural and spiritual sustainability.
Where
is Sundog Ecovillage?
We
are located on the east end of the Potomac Valley in Western Montana.
We are about 35 minutes east of Missoula close to Highway 200.
Approximately two miles past the Potomac store turn right on Potomac
Road. At the “T” turn left on Hole in the Wall Road.
Approximately two more miles turn left on Washoe Road then left on
Mecate lane. At the end of the road take the driveway to the right
and drive on up the hill.
What
is the land like?
The
sundog property is forty acres of forested hills and meadows adjacent
to Lubrecht State Forest. The boundary is a square with a
south-facing ridge running the length of the property. The current
house and shop sit atop the ridge with full winter sun. The northeast
aspect of the property drops off the ridge down to a sub-irrigated
meadow with waist high Timothy and Crested Wheat grass. The land is
forested with big Ponderosa Pines, Larch and Douglas Firs. It is an
uneven aged stand with healthy native bunch grasses and wild flowers
on the forest floor.
Do
you have a shared philosophy, world-view, and or spiritual practice?
Our
shared philosophy and world-view is best expressed by our Vision /
Mission statement:
Vision:
We envision a way of living as one with the Earth in a diverse
village-based culture that heals, serves and celebrates humanity and
the planet.
Mission:
We will cultivate a committed and creative community that develops
and uses model systems that integrate ecological sustainability,
socio-economic well-being and artistic and spiritual empowerment. Full mission statement.
Our
spiritual practices are evolving as an eclectic mix. We are working
toward developing a deep reverence for the earth and the spiritual
guidance that has led to this point in our collective life journeys.
We seek to incorporate ritual and ceremony into our every day lives.
Where does the name "Sundog" come from?
The
Sun Dog is a rare natural phenomenon. It is a full Rainbow Circle
around the sun that has bright white lights at the Four Directions.
When
searching for a name several of us hit on the name separately at the
same time in a synchronistic way. There was a sundog in the sky that
day, and there was a sundog when Aluna, the first child of the
village, was born. Later we discovered this description of the
Whirling Rainbow Prophesy in the Sacred
Path Cards book
by Jamie Sands. This description echos our intentions:
“The
Whirling Rainbow is the promise of peace among all the nations and
all people. The Rainbow Race stresses equality and opposes the idea
of a superior race that would control or conquer other races. The
Rainbow Races brings peace through the understanding that all races
are one. The unity of all colors, all creeds working together for the
good of the whole, is the idea that is embodied in the Whirling
Rainbow. When all pathways to wholeness are respected by all
cultures, the prophesy of the Whirling Rainbow will be completed.”
Can
I come visit Sundog Ecovillage?
Check out the Visitor Policy on the Visitors and Interns page. We
have community potlucks the first Sunday of each month starting at 3.00pm, and community workdays. Please
e-mail Sundog or call a member for more information.
Does
Sundog host Internship or Workshop opportunities?
Currently
Sundog is hosting community workdays. These usually fall on Saturdays
and Sundays. Please e-mail Sundog for more information.
Does
Sundog run Workshops?
Yes,
Sundog offers workshop opportunities. Please e-mail Sundog for more
information.
What
about Pets?
A
final pet policy is in the works. Sundog acknowledges pets as
valued family members with a place in the community, but they
will be limited to avoid strain on peace, wildlife, beauty and
personal diversity.
How
many Sundoggers are there and who are they?
At this point (2010) we have
seven adults and two children as full members.
We are a diverse bunch of people in
terms of age, nationality, skills base and background. We are
teachers, managers, activists and creators in the fields of art,
social services, building, environmental science, film and media and
finance. We believe our diversity is as valuable a resource and a
strength as the unity we share because of our common mission and
values.
Short bios and photographs of current
members of Sundog are available here.
How
do you get to live at Sundog Ecovillage?
People can live at Sundog Ecovillage
either temporarily as visitors or permanently as Full Members. Our Membership
Policy is complete and will be available soon.
What’s involved in becoming a member of Sundog?
All full members are shareholders in Land Stewards LLC, the entity that owns our land. There is a four-stage process that can take between six months and one year to complete and that moves via mutual evaluation sessions through Potential to Exploring to Resident to Full Membership. Our detailed Membership Process and
Financing Policy documents explain in detail what is involved in the
process and the financing of becoming a full member.
People interested in finding out more
about Sundog Ecovillage are welcome to come to our monthly
Potluck Socials. They happen at 3.00pm on the first Sunday of every
month. A call beforehand is helpful. (406) 244-2247 Current members will be happy to
show you around the property and to answer any of your questions.
What is expected of Full Members?
Full members are united by a common
commitment to the Vision, Mission, core values and agreements of
Sundog Ecovillage. They share ownership, management, financial and
decision making authority and responsibility for the well being and
operation of Sundog property and community.
Full members own a share in Land Stewards LLC, the entity that owns
the land, and live on the land full time with the right to build their own home and business according to the land use plan.
They share in contributing to the physical and material costs of
developing and maintaining infrastructure and community facilities
and the administrative and social/cultural work of creating and
maintaining community.
Each full member commits to an annual
amount of community service the nature of which will be related to
their interests and skills. This is being worked out at present and
is expected to take the form of a minimum number of community work hours
per year. Full members also participate actively in business,
management and policy meetings and in committee work.
What
about my partner and children?
We relate to each adult individually.
The membership process therefore applies to each adult independently
of their relationship to any other potential/exploring/resident or
full member. Children up to the age of 18 are accepted along with the
adult responsible for them.
How
do Sundoggers make a living?
At present members of Sundog work in a
variety of professions that allow flexibility in relation to location
and hours. Most days someone from the land does need to be in
Missoula. We share transport as much as possible and our vision
includes a Sundog bus that will travel into town in the morning and
return in the evening. Our vision also includes supporting each other
to develop sustainable businesses that will allow many of us to work
primarily from our land in the Potomac Valley.
How
do I find out more?
It’s easy! You can call us at
406-244-2247 or email us here, and come to one of our open pot luck dinners for visitors, friends and neighbors, held on the first Sunday of each month at 3:00 pm.