PEOPLE | Hamaatsa

Pueblo Elder/Hamaatsa Founder, Larry Littlebird

HA WEH

you are coming this way

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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HAMAATSA VIDEO

HAMAATSA is a tiny spot on the earth with a strong vision committed to spiritual wholeness and regenerative living informed by indigenous land wisdom and spiritual life-ways for healing land and people. It is here on this threshold one can encounter beauty in nature and discover ways of blessing.

We operate on a modest sustainable income with a handful of people: artists, farmers, herbalists and activists coming alongside mystics, storytellers and culture bearers. We nurture artistic creativity, foster self-sufficiency and model regenerative farming growing healthy foodsheds. Sheltered with courage in this hermetic land place, we reverently carry the stories 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.

In 2007, following the land purchase, the Hamaatsa Directors worked with renowned Permaculture master planners, Scott and Arina Pitman to develop the Hamaatsa master plan for restoration of land and people. This master plan provides critical guidelines to protect this sacred wild land place for future generations.

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.

Hamaatsa is an indigenous continuum and a Pueblo Indian family legacy. 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.

Founding Spiritual Directors

Larry Littlebird, Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblo, Retired/Board Emeritus

Deborah Littlebird (Read Bio)

Board of Directors

Deborah Littlebird, President

Jesse Raine Littlebird (Laguna Pueblo)

Bill Bailey (Cherokee Tribe)

Greg Valerio, MBE, England

Hunter Littlebird (Laguna Pueblo)

Hamaatsa is a Native-led 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit and operates with a Board of Directors and Advisory Council that uses an indigenous approach to governance through a Council Process based on an age-old tribal family clan model. 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.

In Loving Memory

Helen Torran, Board Secretary and faithful sustainer passed away on February 22, 2022

Pueblo Elders who have crossed over:

Stanley Lucero (Laguna Pueblo)

David Riley (Hopi/Laguna Pueblo)

Bill Sunrise (Santo Domingo Pueblo)

Andrew Ahsona (Cochiti Pueblo)

Philip Duran (Tigua)

Jose & Amelita Toledo (Jemez Pueblo)

Lucy Yepa Lowden (Jemez Pueblo)

Ignacia Duran (Tesuque Pueblo)