C
A L E N D A R
CULTIVATING THE SACRED
Contemplative reverent action for living simply
"In the present "green-sustainability movement", indigenous peoples are often referred to, “as the first people of these lands to live here sustainably for thousands of years." How did they do this? What were their practices and methods? And how is it that they are still here today? "
For most Native people, the action has always been to simplify your life
so your spirit can teach you how to live.
"Growing up at Gwi-sh’tee, Paguate, my mother’s village in the Pueblo of Laguna, my elder-mentors and kin shared foundational “simple living” principles generously with me. There were no programs, no set times, it was just me showing up and being there with them, day after day with no beginning and no end. This non-linear time allowed for deep experiences to take place within me.
Today, I refer to this process as, “cultivating the sacred”. At HAMAATSA, this process informs all that we do. It is a spiritual action for learning to live simply, informed by an indigenous ecology and modeled upon the successful hunter-gatherer and agricultural societies of tribal America. It is about showing up and becoming humble and teachable in order to receive your own experience integrating your whole being: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional/Mental and Instinctual. It is the discovery of an individual’s spiraling path in relationship to Creator, the earth’s journey and the rhythms and characters of the seasonal cycles. Simple people, native to their environments, wherever they may live, are connected to the sacred through their daily experiences upon the land and their relationships to the elements, plants and animals. For example, relationship with water: you arise at dawn and walk prayerfully to a “water source”, all the while giving thanks; with careful purpose you fill your containers and trek the water back to your home for your family’s daily use for drinking, cooking and washing. Having this daily connection to your water, naturally and instinctually leads to knowing how much is enough.I believe rooted indigenous spiritual principles for living sustainably will serve to model for native and non-native people, what starting over and 'reconnecting to the spirit within' can look like."Larry Littlebird
Hamaatsa elder and founding director
Program Overview:
Precepts for living correctly and simply upon the land include prayer, fasting, visioning, clear seeing, tracking and intuitive sensing. Running and walking pilgrimages for gaining strength, grace, endurance, health, well-being and blessing are also foundational to the process. Programs emphasize, story-working, council process, kinship relationships to the elements (water, fire, air, earth), and understanding the roles people, plants and wildlife have to the landscape. Seasonal hunter-gatherer programs are included in the year round CTS calendar such as edible plant foraging, gathering medicinal plants and herbs and seasonal hunting camps.
Program Details:
- Who is this for? Indigenous cultures have always respected natural systems and the spiritual principles that hold them together as models for sustainable and regenerative living. Our vision is to integrate this indigenous knowledge into the present sustainability movement by deepening one’s own personal experience for correct actions and clear choices. We are looking for people aligned with such a vision and who have a willingness to learn how to do so.
- Mentor (defined as, a trusted coach and guide): CTS programs are offered under the guidance of Larry Littlebird (Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblo), Hamaatsa elder and founding director.
- Where: Programs take place at Hamaatsa and seasonal hunting/gathering and sites in New Mexico.
- Length of Program: To gain the most benefit from your experience, it is recommended that you participate in programs within all four seasons, ideally over a 12-18 month period. The “four season” process culminates with a “Solo Wilderness Pilgrimage”, guided by Larry Littlebird.
- For more information and to be placed on our email list for CTS program announcements: (505) 899-6028 / Email: littlebird@hamaatsa.org
HAMAATSA
2010
more program listings coming soon...
SERVICE LEARNING
Be of service to Hamaatsa, while working and learning on 320 acres of environmentally protected aboriginal lands. This program provides a great opportunity for “service learning” while participating in the sustainable development of Hamaatsa's indigenous continuum learning center.
Types of Work:
Adobe making, watershed restoration, indigenous agriculture, planting trees, rock gathering for walls and structures, stacking wood, trail maintenance, road work, erosion control, and land conservation.
Days of Service and Typical Schedule:
Typically, service learning programs are offered as two- three day projects.
Work days begin with an orientation to the project at 8:30 a.m. Please arrive by 8:15 am, so we can all begin on time together. Following the orientation, we will work joyfully together within pairs and teams on whatever project is taking place at Hamaatsa at that time.
We will finish working around 1:00 pm and then share a picnic lunch together in the shade of a field arbor.
Program Details:
- Nominal fee (varies) to support the mentor/instructor's teaching time.
- Please wear work clothes and sturdy, closed toe shoes. Bring a sunhat and sunscreen.
- Bring a large water bottle and a picnic lunch.
- Healthy physical and emotional well being is required for work days.
- Space is limited per project.
- Service learning days are scheduled as specific projects develop and unfold in the priority of work needed to be completed.
If you are interested in service learning programs, please call or email us to see if there are any current projects taking place at Hamaatsa.
(505) 899-6028 / littlebird@hamaatsa.org
Service learning program with high school seniors from the Santa Fe Indian School and SF Mountain Center.
HAMA-HA
Winter Storytelling at Hamaatsa
Saturday, January 23, 4:00 pm
A story experience from tribal American oral tradition with
Keresan Pueblo Storyteller, Larry Littlebird and Guest Storytellers
The storyteller begins, “Hama-Ha”! The listeners respond, “Eh, Ehh!”Hama-Ha is a significant Keresan Pueblo Indian storytelling experience. Hama-Ha in Keresan language means: “A first dawn in the East, a time when all was one in the heart of the Creator.” In the natural order of life we would gather around the winter fire to listen — listening with our whole being to ancient stories which connect us with that first dawn.
Meaningful Donation
In the spirit of reciprocity, we invite you to support this storytelling program with a donation.
Seating is limited to 25 people
For reservations call or email: (505)899-6028 /littlebird@hamaatsa.org
Registration Portal for Group from Germany and Switzerland
Hobah-Hanu: The People Return to Hamaatsa
A two week immersion and mentorship program at Hamaatsa with Larry Littlebird
Sunday, August 22 - Saturday, September 4, 2010
Cost: $2250 (USD)
(Includes all ground transportation, 14 day immersion program with Larry Littlebird and guest Pueblo elders, camping and three wholesome vegetarian meals per day, two cultural field trips and entrance fees)
Please note this is for a reserved group and is not open for general registration.
Registration Deposit: secure online payment is available through PayPal
$300 non-refundable deposit, due January 30, 2010
Hama-Ha: December 6, 2009
