Film Documentary of Peace Prayer Day, Ottawa, October 4, 2003

Peace Prayer Day Ottawa took place on October 4, 2003. It was held at Alumni Park, Carleton University on a wind swept day, midst thundering rain. We have made a 60 minute film documentary of this event. E-Media Scouting, an Ottawa company, has produced VHS and DVD copies. $5.00 CDN from each sale is returned to support future peace events. The response to early showings of this film has been terrific. It is a wonderful testament to peace, social activist, meditation and environmental groups working together for peace. All cultures, all religions, all ages and walks of life are represented.

To order the film, please contact Kevin Burton at:

14 Central Ave,
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K2P OM9
613 565-2855

VHS $20.00CDN $7.00CDN P & P Total: $27.00CDN
DVD $25.00CDN $5.00CDN P & P Total: $30.00CDN

For Ottawa residents you can save on the P & P costs by picking the film documentary up from Pine Gate sangha at 1252 Rideout Crescent, Ottawa K2C 2X7. 726 0881.

Our first Peace Prayer Day opened with Native American drummers and dancers from Maniwaki, with children in full costume leading the entire audience through a circle dance. Massed choirs, the Sacred Dance Guild, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian, Sufi, Israeli and Arabic expressions for peace and planetary care supported the children’s prayers for change and hope, as did the activist speeches from the heart. This celebration of peace and call for change appealed to many who feel drawn to be peace but who have never before taken part in its group expressions.

Peace Awards were presented to three outstanding local citizens, whose life work for peace stands as an example to all of us. They have transformed people and communities with their wisdom, love and compassion. They are examples of “Being Peace.” Our thanks to you Grandfather William Commanda, spiritual leader of the Algonquin Nation for creating a Culture of Peace; to Sr. Jean Goulet of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for establishing inter-faith dialogue where before there was silence, and for galvanizing religious leaders to support multi-ethnic housing projects; and to Michael Monner of Tone Magazine for raising Ottawa’s consciousness about these and other issues over the past twenty years.

On the day of this outdoor event, the elements and nature were responsive in many ways. Two eagles circled above us, the thunder gods threatened, yet the persistent rain let up at the end and allowed the sun to shine forth just as we started to sing together. A marvelous documentary film is now available, which you can order. It shows the courage and determination shining through to be nothing other than peace and to make a difference to our world.
The Pine Gate sangha and their Friends for Peace is a coalition of environmental, peace, meditation and social activist groups, who began meeting in Ottawa, January 2003, in response to the impending war in Iraq and to the pervading feeling of helplessness and fear portrayed by the media. The Coalition has since created two annual events, one in early spring called "Peace Song Circle" and the “Peace Prayer Day” held in the fall. We are working to make these events happen in other countries.

The intent is to create a different form of peaceful expression that appeals to a wide cross section of Canadian citizens who support a major role for Canada as a peacekeeping nation. The broader intent, however, is to create a global expression for peace and the planet with communities all over the world gathering each spring and fall to build bridges for non-dualistic action in times of peace and times of war. This coalition recognizes that we must work for peace every day of our lives whether or not it is a time of war. To create infrastructure in our social and political institutions that value and legitimize peace processes is the goal. For more about us please check out:

Do support our work through buying this wonderful film documentary and please forward this notice to your friends.