ABOUT | Hamaatsa

HOBAH HANU

all the people

The Elders tell us, "Accept your particular life, the whole of it, then celebrate it with joy,

your connection to it, so you can give back, all that has been given to you."

Water blessing ceremony at the Hamaatsa well after it was completed. Larry Littlebird offers the first water to Pueblo elders in attendance.

The Making of the Lodge Drum in the Hamaatsa Council Lodge Tipi.

Water Dowser and Seer, Bryan Lappe. Dowsing for our well. He told us he saw springs under the land here. He found the exact spot for the well to be dug. He even told us how deep it would be. He was right on the mark. What a blessing Bryan Lappe was to many people of the land. We miss him dearly!

Traditional Pueblo Drum making workshop at Hamaatsa under the willow arbor. Larry Littlebird and Stan Lucero.

Stanley Lucero making a Pueblo drum at Hamaatsa Drum Making workshop. (Laguna Pueblo). We lovingly remember this gentle and wise elder.

Youth-Elder mentorship garden project, growing corn the traditional way.

Walking pilgrimage, carrying water to an ancient stone Water Catchment on the lands of Hamaatsa for prayer and blessing.

Larry Littlebird blessing our friend and colleague, Greg Valerio, who has so generously come alongside Hamaatsa.

Learn more about the Walking Backward Pilgrimage>

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WALKING BACKWARD INTO THE FUTURE

HAMAATSA is committed to spiritual wholeness, cultural restoration and regenerative living informed by indigenous wisdom and life-ways for healing land and people. We operate on a modest sustainable income with a handful of people coming alongside storytellers, culture bearers, artists, social activists and farmer-herbalists. We nurture artistic creativity and foster self-sufficiency as we reverently carry the stories and wisdom of our elders forward and remember how they tell us: be brave, be strong, keep going.

Pueblo youth learning to dry corn and make chicos.

Jesse Raine Littlebird painting and creating at Hamaatsa.

Watershed Restoration Day in the Arroyo de los Tanos, the watershed that runs through Hamaatsa lands.

Red Willow basketmaking workshop at Hamaatsa.

Hamaatsa Council Lodge Tipi with Firekeeper, Robert Henry apprenticing, Raine Littlebird.

Pueblo Elder_Hamaatsa Founder, Larry Littlebird

Children born for peace. We are the voice in the land that bears witness to the American Indian holocaust and the past and present injustices of First Nations peoples. May we be a spark to kindle justice for healing the soul wounds of our nations. Shall the People continue and may the generations coming along behind realize peace, forgiveness and restoration.

Hamaatsa Founders, Deborah and Larry Littlebird nurturing the next generation.

Listening Circle in the Hamaatsa Council Lodge

Beloved Pueblo elders, Stanley Lucero and Phil Duran in the Hamaatsa Lodge with Larry Littlebird. Making a willow council hoop. We hold these two dear elders in our hearts with loving memories.

Hamaatsa, founded in 2006 by Larry and Deborah Littlebird, is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit and operates with a Board of Directors and Advisory Council who model an age-old indigenous approach to governance through sacred council process. The Council's core precepts serve its individuals, families, community and constituents with regard and respect for all our relations as we work and live together in sisterly and brotherly unity.

Board of Directors

Deborah Littlebird, President

Jesse Raine Littlebird (Laguna Pueblo)

Bill Bailey (Cherokee Tribe)

Greg Valerio, MBE, England

Hunter Littlebird (Laguna Pueblo)

Larry Littlebird, Retired/Board Emeritus

Our Founders

Larry Littlebird, (Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblos) and Deborah Littlebird

In Loving Memory

Helen Torran, Board Secretary and faithful sustainer passed away on February 23, 2022.

Beloved Pueblo Elders who crossed over: