Indigenous Cultural Education Center

Board Members
P. Linda Ierna Reed - President, Executive Director	John Reed - Vice President
Laurence Singer - Legal Counsel	Jeannie KarayaNi Calcano
Sheldon Gibson - Director of Research and Development	John O’Brien

P. Linda Ierna Reed (President)

P. Linda Ierna Reed is the founder of the Indigenous Cultural Education Center. The owner of BraveOnDownYoga and Wellness Studio in Lebanon, Connecticut, she is a Kripalu certified Yoga teacher, and has a degree in Addictions Counseling as well as an art degree from Connecticut College. Linda has been studying healing techniques with Karen McNaughton (Beaver Clan) and Sheldon Gibson (Wolf Clan), elders of the Onondaga Nation, part of the Six Nations. She also studies with Alberto Martinez, Teacher from the Kofan Traditions in Columbia. She has been hosting prayer ceremonies for the past several years and continues to bring in traditional peoples to teach our communities our connection to Mother Earth, Spirit, and ourselves.

John Reed (Vice President)

John H. Reed, co-founder of ICEC, is a licensed therapist, consultant, and educator with over twenty-five years experience in the mental health and addictions field. He is a professor emeritus and a former program director retired from the Connecticut Community College System. He is currently Director of Outpatient Services at Community Prevention and Addiction Services. In his private practice, Integrated Psychotherapy, John combines talk therapy with energy work (Reiki), meditation, and spiritual practice. His specialty areas are Post Traumatic Stress, Mood Disorders, and Addiction. A large part of his client base comprises those seeking to heal these conditions without the use of pharmaceutical medications.

Laurence Singer (Legal Counsel)

Laurence is an attorney and producer who has served the spiritual community for many years, working with non-profit organizations to foster the expression of a new consciousness for the planet. Laurence also is active at the United Nations where he represents non-governmental organizations.

Laurence has extensive production experience. He was the founder and Managing Director of Global Beat Music, has produced major concerts for world music artists, including the Fight Against Malaria Concert in the United Nations General Assembly Hall as part of the Global Youth Summit, and is presently producing a feature film in Ghana that is a showcase for African music.

Jeannie KarayaNi Calcano

Jeannie KarayaNi Calcano is a traditional performing artist of the Turtle Clan of the Taino Nation. KarayaNi is involved in promoting Native American culture and enjoys presenting in schools, museums, and universities. She has performed with Lotus Music & Dance throughout the United States and Canada. Together with her husband, KarayaNi has been invited to share traditional culture, music, and dance with audiences ranging from young children to elders in the US and abroad. She profoundly believes in the importance of the gifts of indigenous wisdom and healing from all nations, and is honored to be a part of the ICEC team.

Sheldon A. Gibson

Born in Syracuse New York to a traditional Haudenaushaunee family and raised on the Traditional home territory of the Onondaga Nation. Attended Traditional ceremonies and events occurring there during the years has given him a connection to the traditional way of the Haudenaushaunee as well as the spiritual way.

After completing high school, went on to the State University College at Oswego, studying in the area of Sociology helped him to understand the ways of the dominant society.

Leaving college short of the requirements for a degree, he continued on his way in the field of Construction. Leading a life as a Construction Inspector for twenty years in both state and federal construction projects across the country, gave him an understanding of how the system works. As well as to how to work within the system.

Returning to school with this wealth of knowledge helped him to attain a Degree in Three Dimensional Art at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe New Mexico. This change also precipitated his return to his Native teachings and cultural awareness. Renewing his traditional belief in the world and his participation in the natural world as well.

It was during a chance meeting with the spiritual Leader of the Haudenaushaunee that his path changed. Asked by the Tadadaho to continue helping to heal the people, this has been the focus of his path. This path being one of a spiritual as well as a traditional path continues to this day. He travels alongside other traditional medicine people when the opportunity permits.

John O'Brien

John has been practicing Yoga since 1984 and teaching full time since 1987. He studied classical guitar and composition at the Manhattan School of Music and has been a Reiki practitioner since 1996

His love and deep connection to Mother Earth lead him to study with Shamans in Peru as well as with medicine people from Columbia, Brazil, Mexico and the indigenous peoples of North America.