Viatopia

Wolfenhome (formerly Viatopia) is an attempted garou and kinfolk only society and fellowship in southern Minnesota.

Overview

Experimental communities have proliferated throughout history. In the United States, alone, religious groups such as the Oneida Community and the Shakers, cult compounds such as the Reverend Moon’s Unification Church, and societies based on certain political theories, such as Henry George’s “Single Tax” proponents, have tried to make a go of creating their own alternative societies. Over and over again these attempts, however bright their start, failed after a few years for one reason or another. The Garou of Wolfenhome hope to change that.

Shadow Lord Kinfolk Adam Preston bought some property in southern Minnesota in the early 1990s with family funds and started a community for Garou and Kinfolk of all tribes. He called the community Viatopia, presumably wanting to express the idea of a “viable utopia.” Although the initial members were Shadow Lord Kin or Garou, by the end of the first year, all tribes had at least one or two Kinfolk members.

Preston contributed the initial plot of land, but later donors and investors helped increase the community’s land holdings to three times its original size. The governing board, a council of officials who serve four-year elected terms with no term limits, hopes to continue to grow the community based on the idea of responsible residency.

All residents pay a share of the cost for land upkeep. Members also volunteer time for outdoor or administrative work and attend town meetings. Once the community reached the point of self-sustainability, it changed its name to “Wolfenhome” (inspired by legends of Wolfhome, an Umbral Realm) and incorporated as a municipality. Most residents now hold paying jobs within the community, many of them as small business owners or independent small farmers. Wolfenhome now boasts its own school, clinic and emergency medical center, post office, member-owned power company and community center. A non-denominational church building occupies a site near the town center for members who are so inclined.

Wolfenhome has a covenant which requires that members be either Garou or Kinfolk, though some citizens object to the exclusion clause. Supporters feel that the community is predicated on a Garou-Kinfolk membership and feel that allowing the general population to settle there would not only defeat the town’s purpose but would make life difficult for the Garou who make it their home.

The underlying philosophy behind Wolfenhome aims at achieving full acceptance for Kinfolk in Garou society. This includes Kinfolk representation at moots, the right to refuse assignments deemed too dangerous or ill-planned, and reproductive freedom. Members seek not only to change the policies but also Garou attitudes towards their Kinfolk. The community has supporters among the Children of Gaia, the Bone Gnawers, and the Black Furies, while other tribes, namely the Silver Fangs, Get of Fenris, and more traditional Fianna seem reluctant to accept so much change so quickly.

Preston’s dream has fueled Wolfenhome since its inception nearly a quarter of a century ago. Now in his late 50s, Preston still remains actively involved in all aspects of the community, where he has served on the governing council without a break. Some folks both inside and outside the community wonder whether Wolfenhome will sustain itself after Preston either retires or dies. His charismatic personality and straightforward way of dealing with all types of people have eased what might have been a difficult path of growth and development for the community. Enough people associate Preston with the image of a cult leader to raise the question of true viability among many.

References

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