Program Portals

ALENDAR 2010

"Hamaatsa is a place where people can once again experience the power of living words and regain human lifeways that apply values to honest action for becoming part of a people who can live upon the earth aligned to a "Great Order." Four season programs offerd at Hamaatsa provide portals into indigenous ways of being for gaining wholeness in today's society in crisis." - Larry Littlebird

Ceremonial grounds

Restoration: Land, Water and Spirit

Saturday, February 27 / 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Watershed restoration project at Hamaatsa with Steve Vrooman and Larry Littlebird

A restorative day, working on the main watershed that runs through the environmentally protected lands of Hamaatsa with Steve Vrooman, environmental consultant and designer of riparian and wetland restoration projects and Larry Littlebird, Hamaatsa founding director. The day will culminate with a storytelling evening and talking circle around the topic of “Restoration in the land, in our communities and within ourselves".

This service learning event is generously sponsored by Rio Grande Return, (www.riograndereturn.com) which is committed to provide support and funding to organizations in the Rio Grande watershed for the restoration and protection of the Rio Grande. Restoration and protection are defined as activities that promote sustainable and healthy relationships between the Rio Grande and its human communities.

Program Details:

This event is for a “Reserved Group”

If you would like to be notified of future watershed programs and service learning days at Hamaatsa, please email us at littlebird@hamaatsa.org

Cultivating the Sacred at Hamaatsa

Cultivating the sacred, is a contemplative reverent action for living simply. At HAMAATSA, this process informs all that we do and is the foundation for all our programs. The process is 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. 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. Cultivating the sacred, 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.

HAMA-HA Winter Storytelling

Due to weather, rescheduled. Saturday, February 6 / 4:00 pm

"The One Who Sings -- Children Born for Peace"

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.

Program Details:

Meaningful Donation: In the spirit of reciprocity, we invite you to support this storytelling program with your heartfelt donation.

Seating is limited to 25. Reservation deadline January 30.

For reservations call or email: (505)899-6028 /littlebird@hamaatsa.org

Introduction to Hunting Sacred

Saturday, January 30 / 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

An all day intensive on the aboriginal lands of Hamaatsa with Larry Littlebird, Pueblo Elder and Author of Hunting Sacred—Everything Listens

In my tradition, hunting is an initiatory experience and spiritual practice. Hunters do not take life, they receive life. They know how to thrive and bring prosperity back to their community. Hunters are humble, able to listen deeply to his or her experience. They seek to understand their own place and purpose within the great circle of Creation. Their personal action is to give back, which is crucial to being part of the natural order of all things. Now more than ever, our survival depends upon reconnecting to this sacred hunting, for finding a path of intimacy with the animals, mountains, desert, sky, and one another.

This introduction to “Hunting Sacred” will apply to your life. Hunters turn knowledge into action, becoming one with their word to impact the direction of the world. This workshop is for those who have never hunted before, and for those with hunting experience. Together, we will explore indigenous precepts for hunting in a spiritual way through stories, songs and physical and instinctual exercises. For lunch, a simple elk stew will be gifted to you.

Program Details

Cost: $85 (includes lunch)

Space is limited to 12 people

Register online (secure payment through PayPal)

Registration Deadline is January 23

Download and email us your registration form. (Mail, if paying by check)

Larry Littlebird, founding director of HAMAATSA, is a Pueblo Indian from Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblo. Larry’s coaching and mentoring style draws upon his life experience as a hunter-gatherer-farmer, informed by his rich Pueblo culture. Read complete bio

Tlingkit Storyteller,

Gene Tagaban

HAMA-HA , Dec. 6, 2009

SPRING 2010

Group from Germany and Switzerland

Amuu-Hanu: The People Return

Sunday, August 22 - Saturday, September 4, 2010

A two week immersion at Hamaatsa with Larry Littlebird and Pueblo Elders.

*Please note this is for a reserved group and is not open for general registration.

To Register: (secure online payment is available through PayPal)

$300 (USD) non-refundable deposit due January 30, 2010

Program Portals

Basket Making -- Woven Stories

Saturday, March 6 / 10:00 am -- 3:00 pm

with Samuel Suina, gifted Cochiti Pueblo composer, drum maker and basket maker

As our HAMA-HA, winter storytelling time comes to a close, we are featuring a special interactive day with Samuel Suina, from Cochiti Pueblo. Gathering at Hamaatsa's little adobe Shepherd's House, Sam will demonstrate step-by-step, the ancient art of red willow basket making while sharing engaging stories from his Keresan Pueblo oral tradition. As he weaves one of these exquisite baskets, participants will be invited to participate in different parts of the process. Sam is one of just a few weavers who continues to make willow baskets in the same woven style done by his Pueblo ancestors in the villages along the Rio Grande. A traditional Pueblo style meal will be served for lunch.

Program Details:

Cost: $30 (includes a Pueblo style meal and supports artist's honorarium)

Space is limited to 20

Register Online (secure payment through PayPal)

Registration deadline is March 3

Download and email us your registration form. (Mail to us, if paying by check)

Hunter's Heart

Friday, April 9 -- Sunday, April 11, 2010

Spring Camp with Larry Littlebird, Pueblo Elder and Author of Hunting Sacred

A three day hunting sacred immersion with Pueblo Indian elder, hunter and author, Larry Littlebird on the aboriginal lands of Hamaatsa. This spring camp offers a rare mentorship opportunity to gain personal guidance and in-depth training and preparation for hunting in spiritual way.

Program Details:

Cost: $360 (includes all meals and camping for three days)

Space is limited to 12

$100 non-refundable deposit (to reserve your space)

Registration deadline is April 1

Download and email us your registration form. (Mail to us, if paying by check)

The Planting Stick

Friday, May 14 -- Sunday, May 16, 2010

Indigenous permaculture and sustainable living camp

with Larry Littlebird and Hamaatsa staff

Discover how your walking stick becomes your planting stick which transforms into your talking stick. Develop skills and deepen your actions for living simply, locally and sustainably on the land during this three day land-based learning camp. Larry Littlebird, Hamaatsa founding director and hunter-gatherer-farmer and staff will present home-scale permaculture and sustainable living practices informed by an indigenous ecology and land wisdom.

The first day, walking about on the environmentally protected lands of Hamaatsa, we will observe and read the landscape and natural patterns, and renew our kinship relationships to the plants, animals and the elements (fire, air, water, earth). Day two and three includes hands-on sessions: Pueblo dryland plantings methods, soil preparation, sheet mulching, tacking rainwater runoff and planting a food forest guild. Daily talking circles in the Hamaatsa Council Lodge provide sacred space for cultural exchange, ceremony and dialogue around topics that challenge us to apply lessons learned into simple everyday steps and actions for a more sustainable lifestyle.

Program Details:

Cost: $360 (includes all meals and camping for three days)

Space is limited to 12

$100 non-refundable deposit (to reserve your space)

Registration deadline is May 6

Download and email us your registration form. (Mail to us, if paying by check)

Adobe Making Workshop

Saturday, June 12 / 9:00 am -- 5:00 pm

with Larry Littlebird and Hamaatsa staff

Learn age old traditional methods for making adobes and adobe wall construction. Spend a full day outdoors in this hands-on workshop where you will learn about sustainable building methods at Hamaatsa’s demonstration site.

You will learn: Identifying and mixing correct soil properties; mud making; molding; curing and drying the bricks; turning and cleaning the bricks; making mortar; and single brick wall construction. Under the shade of a field arbor, during the midday break, we will have a talking circle around the topic: “transforming how we build shelter for the sake of future generations – finding ways to provide safe, energy efficient shelter without ravishing the global ecosystem”.

Program Details:

Cost: $80

Space is limited to 20

Register Online (secure payment through PayPal)

Registration deadline is June 7

Download and email us your registration form. (Mail to us, if paying by check)

SUMMER 2010

Peregrina

"A seeker traveling about on foot upon the land"

Saturday, June 26 -- Sunday, June 27, 2010

Visioning intensive with Larry Littlebird

A two-day, overnight wilderness-visioning intensive, guided by Larry Littlebird. Walking lightly upon the pristine aboriginal lands of Hamaatsa, in the juniper foothills of the Ortiz Mountains, reconnect to the land, get grounded and camp out under the stars! Focus is on personal quest of spirit through listening, clear seeing, tracking and intuitive sensing. Emphasis is placed on living simply upon the land, understanding our kinship relationship to the elements (fire, air, water, earth) and the role people, plants and wildlife have to the to the landscape. This walking pilgrimage is for anyone who wants to gain strength, grace, well-being and blessing in their lives. Healthy vegetarian meals are provided by Hamaatsa and a light fast is part of the first day. This program requires a moderate hiking ability and good physical/emotional health.

Program Details:

Cost: $300 (includes meals and camping)

Space is limited to 8

$100 non-refundable deposit (to reserve your space)

Registration deadline is June 18

Download and email us your registration form. (Mail to us, if paying by check)

Seed Cloud Summer Camp for Children

July 12 -- 16, 2010

with Larry Littlebird and Laura Mack

Under the cloud building summer sky, experience childhood through land-based activities and a culturally enriched curriculum with Pueblo Indian elder/storyteller, Larry Littlebird and Laura Mack, veteran children’s teacher. Explore, learn and laugh, during a week long day camp on the environmentally protected lands of HAMAATSA, an indigenous learning center, located south of Santa Fe, near the Ortiz Mountains. By interacting directly with the land through hikes, plant identification, kid-sized permaculture, outdoor art, storytelling and organic gardening, children will cultivate their own connections to the Earth and develop a sense of themselves in relation to the natural world around them.

Enrollment Details

Cost: $275 for one week

For children ages, 7-11

Enrollment is limited to 15

Enrollment deadline is June 15

Required Forms:

Download Enrollment Form

Download Medical/Release Form

FALL 2010

Quick Program Links

German/Swiss Group

Winter Storytelling

Basket Making

Hunting Sacred

Hunter's Heart

Seed Cloud Summer Camp

The Planting Stick

Adobe Making

Peregrina Walkabout

Watershed Restoration

Six Paths of the Storyteller

Six Paths of the Storyteller

October 8 - 11, 2010

Reserve this spot for your group!

Reconnect to the land, get grounded and experience tribal wisdom through a "spoken word" legacy! This four day leadership camp at Hamaatsa, facilitated by Larry Littlebird, provides a pristine outdoor retreat environment in the rolling foothills of the Ortiz Mountains, near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Custom-tailored to fit your group or organization, Six Paths of the Storyteller, presents pathways and aspects of the self as they make up the whole being. This leadership intensive will help clarify and strengthen your personal goals as well as aid groups in working together for a common vision, through land-based activities, honing communication skills, teambuilding exercises and council process in the Hamaatsa Council Lodge Tipi. The six pathways are presented over a four day period, yet are not linear in their essence, rather circular, promoting the continual path toward growing, maturing and becoming.

To reserve this spot for your group and for more details, please contact,

Executive Director, Deborah Littlebird at 505.899.6028 / littlebird@hamaatsa.org

WINTER 2010