Go Native America is a member/ supported / promoted by:
American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Alliance
Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance
American Indian Crafts Association
Wyoming Travel and Tourism
RMI Rocky Mountain International, Real America
Sheridan Travel and Tourism, & the Rapid City Chamber
Premier hosts of Native American tours - travel American Indian lands & traditions - tribal culture and history
Included in National Geographic Traveler's TOP 50 Tours of a Lifetime
“Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children.”
"Uñci maía þañyañ íuwaöi, nihuñúaúe úiñ uñ¤i maía niäuöi ßni. Ni¤iñca úiñ uñ¤i maía
ecel uñniäuöi. "
Walking lightly on the Sacred Earth, discover the evolution of Medicine People, visiting outstanding cultural, historic and spiritual sites over the Northern Plains area. See petroglyphic messages etched in stone, hear stories and explanations from the Old Ones and learn perspectives from the traditional Oyate of modern tribal society.
We begin our exploration of the Sacred Earth at an ancient rock art site which lies on a Spiritual Axis in the Black Hills before moving toward a Sacred Vortex and Lakota place of genesis - Wind Cave. We learn of the Sacred Women: The Holy Messengers, Ptehincala San Win and Heovesta’e’e, and in Paha Sapa – the holy land of the Lakota and Cheyenne peoples we explore the physical and spiritual Staff of Life; Tatanka, the Buffalo. Our journey leads us next to stand before the Cheyenne’s Holy Mountain, Nóávóse, known to the Lakota as Mato Paha, and to mainstream visitors as Bear Butte. As a ceremonial venue this mountain is a place of prayer and peace; please understand that we do not utilize the State hiking trails out of respect to those undertaking tribal ceremony.
The power of the Thunders! We ascend toward The Nest of the Thunder Being and Wakiyan Paha on the Ceremonial Journey. At this Place of the Thunders - Hinhan Kaja Paha, Black Elk experienced much of what embodied the story of his life as told in Black Elk Speaks. Traveling westward we hear ancient tribal explanations of a sacred rock’s creation. We learn of The First Medicine Person, of Prophesies, and of the Sun Dance and stories are told of The Spirit of the Bear and Transition here at the place the Cheyenne call Nahkohe Vee’e and the Lakota call Mato Tipila. This day is dedicated to the Bear’s Lodge (Devil’s Tower).
Yet further westward in the path of the setting sun, we learn of the Thunder’s Altar, The Gourd Buttes and the Spirit Lodge. Then, atop Medicine Mountain in the Bighorns we discover the stone-formed Medicine Wheel. We discuss the Massaum Ceremony, “the medicine dance of the ancients,” in which the wolf, and the “Wolf’s Lodge,” is essential to creation, to life, and renewal in the spiritual and physical. This day involves some walking – please wear comfy shoes and take water. An Unbroken Chord: Following the path from the Ancient Ones to Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull) we visit with much respect the Sacred Deer Medicine Rocks where high above human reach Sitting Bull’s vision of victory at the Little Bighorn is carved in stone and soldiers with no ears are depicted in the rock, falling upside-down into the camp and we witness the scar of lightening seared into the rock face. As our time on this Sacred Earth journey draws towards a close, we traverse the open prairie back toward the Heart Of Everything That Is – He Sapa Wakan – the Black Hills.
Day 1 - Arrive at RAP and shuttle to hotel
Day 2 - An ancient rock art site and the Lakota place of genesis - Wind Cave
Day 3 - The Sacred Women: The Holy Messengers, Ptehincala San Win and Heovesta’e’e, and in Paha Sapa – the physical and spiritual Staff of Life; the Buffalo.
Day 4 - The Cheyenne’s Holy Mountain, Nóávóse, known to the Lakota as Mato Paha, or Bear Butte.
Day 5 - Thunder’s Power: The Nest of the Thunder Being and Wakiyan Paha.
Day 6 - The First Medicine Person, Prophesies, and the Sun Dance at the place the Cheyenne call Nahkohe Vee’e and the Lakota call Mato Tipila - Bear’s Lodge (Devil’s Tower).
Day 7 - The Thunder’s Altar, The Gourd Buttes and the Spirit Lodge.
Day 8 - The Medicine Wheel in the Bighorns
Day 9 - An Unbroken Chord: Following the path from the Ancient Ones to Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull)
Day 10 - Depart RAP
Native Stories...
One wintry evening whilst gathered round a blazing fire, an old Cheyenne told his grandson about the inner struggle that goes on inside people.
"You see" said the old man "this inner struggle is like two wolves fighting each other. One is evil full of anger, jealousy, envy, sorrow, self-pity, regret, inferiority, greed, false pride, lies, deceit & ego".
"The other one" he continued as the fire crackled sending sparks up into night sky "is good, full of joy, peace, love, hope, kindness, generosity, empathy, truth, compassion, serenity, humility & faith".
The small boy pondered his grandfather's words for a few minutes and then asked "so which wolf wins, grandfather?"
"Well" said the wise Cheyenne, his lined face breaking into a wry smile, "the one you feed!"
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Walk beyond the Western world to an ancient cultural realm where the
truly important things of life are recognized, revered and celebrated.
Definitely one for your 'Life List'.
Sacred Earth
July 30 - Aug 8, 2009
Go Native America is one of National Geographic Traveler's
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SORRY - TRIP FULL
