Our Mentoring Lineage
Ravenwood uses the 8 Shields mentoring model. This model draws on many lineages: deep nature connection practices and traditional mentoring techniques from land-based cultures all over the world. Through deep nature connectionand mentoring, 8 Shields aims to support our human natures and original ancient adaptations, thus helping us to be healthier, happier, and better people.
8 Shields was founded by Jon Young through a long personal nature connection journey that started with Golden Guides and hunting for frogs to show to his great aunt.
As Jon grew up he was fortunate to receive mentoring from other skilled naturalists, and as a young man found that most people around him did not connect to nature the way he did. He sought out elders, mentors, and community that helped him develop and articulate his connection skills in the framework we now call 8 Shields. We are grateful for all the people that kept these ways alive and informed and helped develop 8 Shields through practice in community over the past 30 years. Some specific contributors include:
Jon Young
Ingwe (born M. Norman Powell in 1914) was born to white parents in Kenya and adopted into the Indigenous Akamba tribe. Initiated into the Akamba sacred practices, he spent a lifetime serving as a ceremony holder and educator of the youth for the Akamba. As an elder he moved to the United States with his wife and met Jon. We honor him for helping 8 Shields to deepen our tracking, vision quest, survival skills, mentoring, and many other practices.