How It Began

Sacred Ground International, a charitable 501 (c) 3 Foundation, was born out of a desire to restore my childhood home, give back and find what I felt was missing in my life.

In the 25 years following my stepfathers’ death, the ranch had cycled through leasing, options to buy, sever overgrazing, drought, gross trespass and neglect. When faced with yet another sale option my mother Helen, simply could not let go.

Honoring my heritage, I had returned home to Vision Quest on the Mountain, to renew my Spirit after years of commercial ventures, world travel and a recent loss. I was stunned by my mothers’ choice.

As if all time and events had led to that moment, we took a deep breath, joined hands and hearts and set out to restore, renew and reinvent The Happy Heart Ranch. We chose to create a role model of sustainable living and share it with our community and the world.

Today, the ranch is held and managed by Tana Blackmore. We are supported by our sustainable activities, funding through Sacred Ground International, volunteers, bartering and the love and devotion of the many from all over the world who have come, spent time, left their indelible mark and went on to tell our story and live what they learned and experienced here.

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Director Tana Blackmore

TANA BLACKMORE, Director and founder of Sacred Ground International. Eco-rancher, Consultant, Owner/Designer of Native Vogue (Buffalo Jewelry & Weaving)

Tana, a true visionary and artist was raised on The Happy Heart Ranch. She pursued life and several careers that took her around the world. An award winning entrepreneur/fashion designer/publisher and public speaker. She returned home in 1993 to begin yet another life and career…

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Staff and Volunteers

We are guided by a Board of Advisors, our prayers and a lot of common sense. The rest of the story flows through the pages of this web site. Thank you for visiting and may your path be graced with beauty, wisdom and joy.

Teresa Schaeffer

As I embark on an adventure of a lifetime, I find myself here at Sacred Ground. Waking up to a magnificent sunrise…embracing a new day at Happy Heart Ranch. Calling the horses in by name – “Here Wind Song”, “Here Freya”. Feeding and brushing them, walking and talking to them, letting them know they are safe and loved.

We ride up to the Mountain to see where the “TaTanka”, “Buffy’s” are today. Watching and learning from them…Ancient Wisdom for the here and now. Seeing a shadow, gazing upward, a magnificent Bald Eagle soars overhead. Silent…listen…the Coyotes calling in the distance, singing their song and then the Prairie Dogs join in concert, chattering to one another, music to our ears. As we turn our faces towards the East, as the sunflowers do, we feel the warmth of the sun. We smell the pine and the sage; we see the Hawks, Whitetail Deer, Pheasants, and Magpie, Grouse and song birds. A herd of Antelope gallop off to the west to meet up with the Mule Deer. We touch the Bear fur left on the fence, gather up the feathers, and taste the Minnie Ha-Ha from the sparkling tributaries. The Cloud People are here bestowing awe inspiring works of art upon us. The Sacred Winds are here as well, powerful yet graceful at the same time. The Fire Keepers are fanning the Flame, gifting us with warmth and comfort. Creator is watching over us, helping us see we are not alone…we are one. We learn from one another, teach one another, recognizing our similarities rather than our differences, respecting and appreciating all that is….it is truly Sacred Ground.

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