Native American cultural
seminar, tour from Sedona, Arizona to Hopi, Navajo, Zuni
Pueblo, Gallup, New Mexico, Chaco Canyon archaeologic site:
myths, cosmology, arts, music, history, natural history,
land and peoples, contemporary understandings; photos, images
Crossing
Worlds Journeys & Retreats
Inspiring,
Insightful, Personal Experiences of Sedona, Arizona, the
Ancient Southwest & your inner vision.
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You
are invited to join us for a personalized, authentic,
experiential journey
with Native American Peoples of the Colorado Plateau...
prehistoric and contemporary understandings:
July
3 - 6, 2009
Hopi Mesas and villages, Zuni
Pueblo,
4th of July Navajo fair, rodeo, fireworks!
Navajo backcountry areas
Canyon de Chelly archaeological sites
Gallup
trading post behind the scenes
mural of Navajo life from Dine College
plus--
trading posts and towns of historical and contemporary interest
and striking Canyon de Chelly, volcanic mountain and painted desert
landscapes
A
one of a kind journey in Arizona and New Mexico.
Ancient
and contemporary understandings of cultures
with roots going back many millenia.
Create memories to carry home in your heart!
Circles with thoughtful interactions, stories, philosophy,
inspiration, songs, traditional food meals offer a chance
to share life informally with warm-hearted, sincere Native
American friends and us, the respectful visitor.
Living for 4
days immersed with Native peoples who still practice their
language and traditions provides a wonderful fresh sense
of perspective for our own lives. Move
beyond stereotypic images and come to know Indian people
as real people walking in two worlds today. What values
sustain them? What can we learn from their worldview? |
Native
American Experiential
Seminar/Tour
Hopi hostess with
her granddaughter in traditional dress guiding two visitors
down the old pathway from Mishongovi village. |
drawing
by Lewis Kagenveama of Star Kachina looking out
for the world and below a Hopi kiva with ladder
symolic of reaching up and sending out blessings
to the universe |
Hopi Indian
families welcome us
into their lands, hearts and ancient ways--
a rare opportunity to spend flowing time with the People.
The most
traditional indigenous culture in North America,
Hopi people carry on ways with roots going back thousands
of years.
~~
Navajo culture and peoples in the
Chinle, Tsaile, and Window Rock areas--
the core of traditonal Navajo life today. Enjoy thoughtful
interactions with dynamic, adaptable peoples of the
land including a hogan visit and a special fire blessing,
and an exciting 4th of July celebration in the Navajo
Nation capitol. You will be welcomed to join in a
traditional song and dance.
~~
Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico and Hawikuh
ruins, fateful site of the first
Puebloan encounter with the Spanish, restored mission
church with Zuni murals.
~~
Gallup,
New Mexico, known as the "Indian Capitol
of the United States," due to its close
proximity
to several tribal areas and historic role
with trading posts and pawn shops and as
a Santa Fe Railroad stop. Enjoy a behind the scenes
visit to an historic trading post and learn about
the pawn system which is akin to an Indian country
bank.
Striking
landscapes of Canyon de Chelly, Chuska Mountains,
San Francisco Peaks
and Painted Desert and vast open spaces of Colorado Plateau
+
July 2 Sedona Explorer - Starlight Stories option
Van Journey with
cross-cultural and
Native American guides, hosts and cutural leaders
Can be created at other times of the year for your small
or large group
1-3
day journeys also
available all year
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Hopi:
Holders of Ancient Tradition
Hopi
are respected and known around the world as a people
who dedicate their life to maintaining balance for
Mother Earth and all peoples. We
will visit mesas, villages and homes. Get
to know people who live in both their ancient world
and the American world of today. This
is not just a tour, but a real and personal time
with sincere, reverent and warmhearted people. You
will meet people whose life revolves around the ancient
Hopi traditions. They
allow us to participate in their seasonal activities,
go out on the land, into villages and homes.
You
absorb an essence, make personal connections
in informal discussions on Hopi life, ceremonial
cycle, importance of nature and corn and topics
of concern right here and now. These
direct experiences fill you with a sense of how
prayer, reverence and connection to nature as
a living presence imbues all aspects of life.
Stoically
maintaining traditional ways of thought, family,
and religion even in the face of so much change,
these mindful people are seeking ways to balance
these traditions with issues they face about preservation
of lands and their ancient way of life while living
in the world of today. We will have meaningful discussions
about our Western culture role in their life with
our hosts. In past gatherings, such thoughtful interactions
helped all of us feel our human bonds that cross
cultural boundaries. We come as the welcomed, respectful
and respected visitor and leave being part of a circle
of friends fresh with inspiration for our own life.
We
learn of the importance of renewing life and growing
corn. June and July is the Kachina ceremonial season
and if available, we hope to attend a dance.
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Remote even
today, Hopis have dry farmed this high desert land
for many centuries.
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You
will enjoy traditional foods, songs and dances,
and a sense of community as we make an art piece
and mold native clay under the skilled guidance
of Hopi artists. Laughter and comradeship is what
happens the most when we get absorbed like children
in this process of creating a beautiful instrument
from native gourds (see photo to
right). Something magical happens that I
can't explain.
Hopi
artists will show you their Kachina carvings, silver
overlay jewelry, baskets and pottery and discuss
their symbolism and the craft of making this beautiful
art. You will have the opportunity to purchase
art direct from artists if you so choose at great
prices.
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"Their
existence always has been patterned upon the
universal plan of world creation and maintenance,
and their progress on the evolutionary Road of
Life depends upon the unbroken observance of
its laws. In turn, the purpose of their religious
cermonialism is to help maintain the harmony
of the universe."
Frank Waters,
Book of the Hopi
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We
will see a large ancestral rock art site in the
Hopi back country (if permits are available). This
intriguing petroglyph looks like a planetary map
with beings coming from other worlds.
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"Your
journey was the highlight of our vacation, and surely
the most fulfilling and spiritual experience I have
ever encountered. The Hopis have touched my soul and
I will always have a piece of them in my heart. I wish
every person could have the opportunity to delve into
their world and culture, I think it would shed light
on the ability for peacefulness among mankind, and
remind everyone that there is more to life than what
we can obtain materialistically, The true completeness
lies in the fulfillment of the spirit.....at one with
nature. remembering how very small we are in this world."
Glenn,
New York, August, 2001, 2-day Hopi journey
"I
want to thank you for the great experience you
gave us on our trip in the Hopi reservation. Our
expectations were exceeded. Quickly all of us realized
we had hired a very legitimate, experienced guide
who knew the people well. That was one of the most
important, if not the most important, considerations
for us in choosing a guide, and we were glad that
you were in fact an expert. It seemed the people
we met enjoyed giving us something to take away
beyond the basic exchange, and that was wonderful.
We had nice conversations and it added significant
depth to our experience of Hopi; we were participating
rather than just looking in. And we saw much more
than we could have without a guide. I would highly
recommend Sandra as a Hopi guide to other groups.
It quickly became clear that Sandra has real personal
relationships with the Hopi people she knows. She
was able to guide us through the reservation, and
put together a program that was special and unique.
The people she introduced us to were welcoming
and opened up to us some things you just can't
read about in a book." Jered
Stoehr, Arnaud and Ann, California and Netherlands,
2007
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Navajo:
Hardy Peoples of the Land
Experience
Navajo peoples, lands and culture in the Chinle,
Crown Point and Window Rock areas--heart of the
Navajo Reservation today, hear their stories and
songs and feel their blessings and experience this
dynamic earth-based culture with roots in ancient
tradition. Learn
about Navajo cosmololgy,
migration to this land.
--Rim views into Canyon de Chelly cliff dwelling
site and jeep tour into both branches of this
spectacular canyon for a true backcountry adventure
and a close look at prehistoric rock art, cliff
dwellings and Navajo homes and livestock of
today
--learn about the art of Navajo weaving and
the philosophy of life that underlies this
ancient craft.
--Tsaile and Dine College
--Window Rock, the Navajo nation capitol, Ft. Defiance
--historic trading post behind the scenes, Navajo
arts
--sandpainting demonstration and fire blessing
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Hear
the story of their Long Walk and return to their
lands after the American war and incarceration
at Ft. Sumner. See remains of Ft. Defiance, Arizona's
first military post for the U.S. Army to patrol
the entire Navajo Country. It was later used to
subdue the Navajos on their homeland, and then,
be slowly phased into a Navajo Agency to govern
the Navajos, after their return from their 4 year
ordeal at the concentration camp Ft. Sumner.
Explore Window Rock area with
a very knowledgeable local hostess and learn about
today's government, issues and life. You will see
the Navajo nation capitol buildings, code-talker
monument and Window Rock.
Our guide (and we hope, her
daughter) will also accompany us to 4th of July celebration
with rodeo, pow wow, and a great fireworks display.
We will encourage you to join in on Navajo traditional
song and dance. You will be surprised how at home
you will feel celebrating this American holiday with
familes of first American peoples. It has the feeling
of our country fairs that families enjoy participating
in.
She will also take us for a
Navajo traditional food dinner in a home.
We
will have discussions on lifestyles, ways of making
a living, current issues such as whether to build
a casino, ceremonial life, preserving culture.
Gain
a sense of life out on the land as we visit a hogan
on the remote north rim. We will see historical
and mythological murals at Dine College, the oldest
Native American college in the U.S. |
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| A
Navajo spiritual leader will offer a sandpainting
demonstration--he sings Navajo songs in a soft, natural
way that carries us into another time. He
will also do a fire blessing ceremony for us. |
Our Navajo guide
with Sandra Cosentino in Canyon de Chelly. |
 |
Campfire circle
with Navajo fllute player |
Navajo
host demonstrating sandpainting |
 tradional
hogan in Canyon de Chelly |
Zuni
Pueblo
Zuni
Pueblo is the largest of the nineteen New Mexican Pueblos,
with more than 700 square miles and a population of
over 11,000. They are considered the most traditional
of all the New Mexico Pueblos, with a unique language,
culture, and history that resulted in part from their
geographic isolation on the western edge of New Mexico.
Zunis are known worldwide as superior artists and craftspeople.
They are particularly well known for their silver jewelry
inlaid with turquoise and coral and shell, fetish carvings,
carved wooden furniture and pottery.
 Zuni
fetish carvings and inlay jewelry
We
will have a traditional food lunch in a private home,
visit the old plaza in Halona and the restored Spanish
mission church famous for its life size Zuni Kachina
murals painted on the walls. We will also have
the special opportunity to go with a Zuni guide to
the prehistoric site of Hawikuh, the fateful place
of the first Spanish entrada into the Southwest as
they were seeking unbelievably rich Seven Cities of
Cibola.
 Our
Lady of Guadalupe Mission, built 1629; rebuilt
1966.
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Zunis are famous
for their bread oven baking
Ruins of what
was the largest Puebloan village
at the time of Coronados's expedition's arrival
here in 1540.
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historical mural by Fred Kabotie of Hopi pilgrimage to Zuni
Salt Lake (you will view this from historic building
overlooking Painted Desert)
Scenes from the historical
Gallup Trading Post we will visit
 --------GaGa
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Preliminary
Outline of Itinerary
(Subject to change to take advantage of seasonal activities,
the flow of Native life on the reservations, Native guide availability,
weather and group interests. It will be a full schedule each
day.)
July 2
pre-trip option in late afternoon into stars come out:
Sedona Explorer and special starlight
stories with campfire (if fire restrictions not in effect)
Day 1, July 3
8 am
Leave Sedona for Zuni stop enroute for view of Painted Desert
enroute and an historic Route 66 building with Hopi murals
afternoon:
Zuni, New Mexico
Lunch in a Zuni home (included)
Visit ruins of Hawikuh
and historic mission church with Zuni guide
evening:
evening program in Gallup with Navajo people,
Navajo food
dinner included
overnight Gallup at an historic inn
Day 2, July 4
Gallup where we will visit historic
trading post behind the scenes and to see collections of Native
American arts and learn about the role of pawnshops in Indian
reservation life historically and today. Great chance to see
(and shop for) a huge variety of good quality, authentic Southwest
Native American arts.
Afternoon and evening:
Window Rock tour, see Navajo legislative
buildings, code talker memorial, Navajo arts fair
Native foods lunch on own
4th of July celebration, pow wow, rodeo with a wild horse race, fair, big fireworks display
Participate in traditional Navajo song and dance
Overnight Window Rock
Day 3, July 5
breakfast included
8 am
Leave for Chinle and Canyon de Chelly via scenic Chuska Mountain
route, Tsaile area and Dine College, oldest Native American
college in US
11 am - 3 pm :
Jeep tour into spectacular Canyon
de Chelly viewing prehistoric rock art and cliff dwellings,
and Navajo homes and livestocks of today--truly a backcountry
adventure traveling through deep sand and washes with your
rugged Navajo guide.
Sandpainting and
fire blessing circle with Navajo spiritual leader
mid afternoon
drive to Hopi
evening:
If available, we will go to
see a ceremonial activity in a village.
See 1st Mesa villages including one dating back to 1300 which still looks like
an ancestor pueblo
Hopi dinner in a home
Evening campfire circle, music, sharing, blessing circle
Overnight at Hopi
Day 4, July 6
8:30 am
Hopi blue corn pancake breakfast in a home
Sharing time with Hopi artists, could include making a rattle
3rd Mesa area:
Oraibi--oldest continuously occuplied village in North America
Bacavi--home visit with piki bread making
Hotevila--spring fed terrace gardens, plaza area
Hopi backcountry: large rock art site (if permit is available)
2nd mesa area:
Shungopavi, Mishongnovi and others
Hopi arts demonstrations with clay and Kachina carving
late afternoon -evening
Return to Sedona
Option if the group is interested:
if available,
a sweatlodge could be arranged--this is not included in the
program and is paid by donation directly to the Native American
lodge leader |
Pre trip option:
Sunset
Sedona Explorer--Starlight Stories
July 2, 5 - 9 pm, $135 pp with
3 or more , ($185 pp with 2) plus tax
Red
cliff faces come alive as we explore the plants, animals,
geology, Native and metaphysical legends and the unique
qualities that have made Sedona place of inspiration
since prehistoric times. See "vortex" sites,
take a walk at one of them, discuss many perspectives
of sacred land. |
|
| Participate
in a special starlight program. Our guide Sandra will do
a teaching on the ancient concepts of living nature and medicine
animals. Will also include oratory, participatory dance and
songs with a Havasupai tribal leader. (The Havasupai tribe
has lived in the Grand Canyon for hundreds of years.) |
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This
retreat is facilitated by Sandra Cosentino, M.S.,
natural resources. Sandra is a former teacher and
land manager and has worked professionally for tribes
in Arizona and Alaska. A native of Arizona, she has
spent many years sharing respect and friendship with
Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau. She brings
you into this circle in a natural way that would
take you years to accomplish on your own. Your Hopi
and Navajo hosts are all living on their homelands
and are actively involved in the traditional ceremonials,
speak their Native language and truly extend a welcome
to us.
This
retreat has been put on for university and international
groups and has been valued by a wide range of peoples
from many diverse backgrounds.
Customized
Native American retreats can be arranged for your group
by special arrangement at other dates.
Operating
under permit from the Hopi Tribe
Registration
Details:
Preliminary
Outline of Itinerary
(Subject to change to take advantage of seasonal activities, the flow of Native
life on the reservations, Native guide availability, weather and group interests.
It will be a full schedule each day.)
July 2
pre-trip option in late afternoon into stars come out:
Sedona Explorer and special
starlight stories with campfire (if fire restrictions not
in effect)
Day 1, July 3
8 am
Leave Sedona for Zuni stop enroute for view of Painted Desert
enroute and an historic Route 66 building with Hopi murals
afternoon:
Zuni, New Mexico
Lunch in a Zuni home (included)
Visit ruins
of Hawikuh and historic mission church with Zuni guide
evening:
evening program in Gallup with Navajo people,
Navajo food dinner included
overnight Gallup at an historic inn
Day 2, July 4
Gallup where we will visit historic trading post behind the
scenes and to see collections of Native American arts
and learn about the role of pawnshops in Indian reservation
life historically and today. Great chance to see (and
shop for) a huge variety of good quality, authentic Southwest
Native American arts.
Afternoon and evening:
Window Rock tour, see Navajo legislative buildings, code
talker memorial, Navajo arts fair
Native foods lunch on own
4th of July celebration, pow wow, rodeo with a wild horse
race, fair, big fireworks display
Participate in traditional Navajo song and dance
Overnight Window Rock
Day 3, July 5
breakfast included
8 am
Leave for Chinle and Canyon de Chelly via scenic Chuska Mountain
route, Tsaile area and Dine College, oldest Native American
college in US
11 am - 3 pm :
Jeep tour into spectacular Canyon de Chelly viewing prehistoric
rock art and cliff dwellings, and Navajo homes and livestocks of today--truly
a backcountry adventure traveling through deep sand and washes with your rugged
Navajo guide.
Sandpainting and fire blessing circle with Navajo spiritual leader
mid afternoon
drive to Hopi
evening:
If available, we will go to see a ceremonial activity in
a village.
See 1st Mesa villages including one dating back to 1300 which
still looks like an ancestor pueblo
Hopi dinner in a home
Evening campfire circle, music, sharing, blessing circle
Overnight at Hopi
Day 4, July 6
8:30 am
Hopi blue corn pancake breakfast in a home
Sharing time with Hopi artists, could include making a rattle
3rd Mesa area:
Oraibi--oldest continuously occuplied village in North America
Bacavi--home visit with piki bread making
Hotevila--spring fed terrace gardens, plaza area
Hopi backcountry: large rock art site (if permit is available)
2nd mesa area:
Shungopavi, Mishongnovi and others
Hopi arts demonstrations with clay and Kachina carving
late afternoon -evening
Return to Sedona
Option if the group
is interested:
if available, a sweatlodge could be arranged--this is not
included in the program and is paid by donation directly
to the Native American lodge leader
Pre-trip
option:
Sedona
Explorer and starlight circle, 5 - 9 pm, $135 each with
3 or more people ($185 plus tax each with 2 people).
Please note:
Lodging in Sedona the night before the trip and on last night
of trip are not included in program
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4
-day Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Canyon de Chelly journey/seminar
Minimum
of 4 people to conduct the journey:
cost:
4
people = $1,800 each
5
people = $1,500 each
6 or more people =
$1,340 each
Included: full 4 day personalized program with many local
Navajo, Hopi and Zuni hosts/guides; lodging for 3 nights (double
occupancy), transportation,
guides, entry fees, meals listed (Hopi--1
dinners and 1 breakfast, 1 Zuni feast, 1 Navajo dinner,
1 breakfasts Window Rock), reference booklet, art supplies,
program planning and coordination.
Not included: Lodging
in Sedona on July 2 and July 6, optional sweatlodge (if available
and requested), meals not listed, entry fee if decide to
stay for late show at Navajo fair, tips, porterage, Sedona
Explorer and starlight circle on July 2.
(plus
$150 for single occupancy; subject to gas surcharge when
gas price more than $3.00/gallon)
********************************
July
5 - 6
1
1/2 day Hopi -- will
have to provide your own transportation and meet us at 5
pm at First Mesa, Hopi.
$430
each based on 4 people (discounted to $400 each with 5
people, to $375 each with 6 or more people) .
Includes Hopi program, 1 night's
lodging double occupancy , reference booklet,
art supplies, Hopi dinner and 1 breakfast, guides, entry fee.
Does not include transportation or meals not listed.
********************************
Partial trip options or family group
discount if you drive your own vehicle can be arranged.
********************************
Final
itinerary will be customized to group, season, weather and
special opportunities for cultural activities.
To
reserve your space: Please
send a $300 deposit to reserve your space to the address
below, balance is due by May 1, 2009. (50%
refundable with 60 days notice; non-refundable after May
1, 2009) We
recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance
in the event that you have to unexpectedly cancel.
Registration
packet will include details of what to bring, Native American
lands protocols, how to get to Sedona from Phoenix airport
(not included in price). If
the trip is cancelled by the tour operator, you will
receive a full refund.
Group discounts available for 10
or more.
Call or email to discuss details or to arrange for your group.
Sedona lodging information provided for you for pre and post
trip stays.
This
tour is operating under permit to:
The Hopi Tribe
Coconino National Forest |
updated
March 14, 2009
Customized
Hopi and/or Navajo Cultural Retreats
can be arranged for Groups
~~Hopi Journeys
~~Culture Explorer Journey, 5 days
~~Canyon de
Chelly, Monument Valley, other ancient culture journeys
~~Earth
Medicine Vision Quest Retreat in
Canyon de Chelly
Relevant
Articles:
Navajo
Weaver interview
Siberians Come to Hopi & Navajo Lands
Hopi
Cycle of the Year, educational information and
photos.
Hopi Kachina doll information
Hopis Win Landmark Case to Protect Sacred Mountains
Hopi Poems, Photos and Essay
Crossing
Worlds Journeys and Retreats
P O Box 3288
Sedona, AZ 86340
1-800-350-2693
for quick info calls
Office: 928-282-0846
eMail: journeys@crossingworlds.com
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