Learning Center

" Love of 'the Grandfathers' or stones is reflected in the artful balancing of cairns and stupa formations all over the mountainside and pastures. "

The Learning Center takes in the whole of all daily activities and the landscape. It is a Living Learning Center focused on experience, the wisdom and lessons gained, and the global sharing and outreach of that information.

Humankind shares a sacred kinship that flourishes when we recognize our abilities to share our talents and time in ways that benefit one another. Sacred Ground has been a gathering place for sustainable culture, a school for the peoples from around the world. We learn from and exchange our unique gifts, while pursuing our commitment to 'sacred living' as we learn to live in greater harmony with ourselves, our environment and each other.

The focus at this time is:

Learning through daily experience...life on the ranch
Education - sharing what we do, why we do it and what we learn from it
Animal and Wildlife observation, promotion, and protection
Research and experimentation using energy technologies, alternative healing while working closely with scientists, veterinarians, and other experts in the medical and healing professions.
Nature conservancy and expansion of wildlife habitat
Promotion and participation of youth, multifaceted groups, organizations, and individuals from around the world. Youth are a strong focus.
Organic growing, gardens, wild berry habitat and orchards.
Harvesting, study and use of wild medicinal and edible native plants.
Hosting classes, gatherings and events....from Indigenous to Corporate.

There is unquestionably great change on the wind, promoting a global movement to seek new ways to understand and support ourselves, our relationships and the environment we live in. There is no question we must live more balanced and harmonious. A great question being asked is, "how do we do that and just what is the best path to pursue in such a diverse world?"

Our ancestors have shared for eons that the gift of life is the experience of it. To understand it, observe it.

In the words of Gloria Flora..." an ecology of the heart, honoring humans relationship with the natural world...restoring your heart connection to the rest of the universe through the landscape that you love because it's all connected."

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Who/What/Where

STAFF/VOLUNTEERS

Our staff includes skilled, and unskilled, many are merely eager to learn and contribute. Some are employed, most are volunteers. They come from all walks of life from all over the world.

TEACHERS/ LEADERS

Some are world famous, some Indigenous wisdom keepers, many highly accomplished and all passionate about their fields and vision.

WHO

Youth, Students, Individuals, Organizations, Groups, all that wish to experience, learn and/or contribute to what we do.

WHAT

Retreats, Ceremonial Gatherings, Celebrations, Corporate Weekends, Workshops, School/class outings.

DAY TRIPS:

Visit the Buffalo
Learn about plants and animals - "The Medicine Walk"
Tour the Ranch
Picnic
Visit the Sundance grounds, learn about all the tradition they embody

WHERE

Accommodations are rustic. A tipi, bunk in the hayloft, tents and many enjoy throwing out bedrolls and sleeping 'under the stars.' Yurts are targeted for next year with buildings to follow to open year round activities.

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LABYRINTH: For people on foot and horseback (This project is underway)

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Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants

Are an essential and vital piece of our self sustaining health and medical portfolio. Classes in the field, harvesting, preserving and uses. This area is rich in native plants that were vital to the Native populations that traveled here to gather and hunt.

The MEDICINE WALK is a day on the mountain observing, tasting, harvesting the plants and water that are miraculous teachers and healers. Rich in common sense and heritage.

TRUE STORIES are posted of the miraculous events of horses found with multiple leg fractures, wounds and injuries, given no hope of survival, running free today.

Snakebite, blood poisoning, and other life threatening episodes that we have addressed with the aid of local plants.

One of the plants classified as a noxious weed is a favorite for eliminating discomfort from bug and mosquito bites.

TO LEARN MORE PLEASE CONTACT US AT: info@sacredgrountintl.org

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Education

Our goal is to bring to the public a variety of educational and support formats: media, print, national and international exchange programs. Classes are usually in the field and work study.

We work with many cultures and see the profound impact a culture, its teachings, its elders and ceremonial participation can have on youth and all walks of life. Much of 2010 will be focused on Youth/ Elder, Tours and events to put people on the land and have them experience themselves and each other.

Networking and outreach programs. As buildings are funded and completed, more on-sight classes and activities will be offered year round.

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Organic Growing

The garden is ever growing, we are ever learning. Vegetables, herbs and a nursery orchard. Interns, volunteers and support are always greeted with big smiles. Seasonal planting and transplanting of wild berry bushes and trees to rehabilitate and repopulate the natural landscape.

The garden and growing areas have expanded to different areas around the ranch proper.

This gives a diversity in soil, sun, water, wind, temperature, etc. and allows us to work with a variety of growing modalities. A starter orchard and wild berry bushes have been planted with much more to do. Seeds from native plants on the mountain were harvested and hundreds of plantings will be available to restore the drainages and depleted brush and berry habitat.

As in life, there are many ways to accomplish a goal and we are exploring. We begin with common sense and proceed to studies including:

Perelandra
No till
Fed by Sound Wave Energy (from SWE by Nicole LeVoie)
Agricultural Harmonizers (from Slim Spurling, Geobiologist and global environmental specialist)
Native American
The way my mother did it and more

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Animals and Wildlife

The ranch offers observation and hands on experience with the buffalo and horses. Buffalo and horses are loving, playful and great fun to be around. They are also large, powerful and infinitely wise. To be in their presence inspires awe and wonder. To spend time with them is humbling and often stirs deep feelings of joy and respect. We say that is why they are here and why we offer these opportunities.

WILDLIFE are a natural and essential part of the ecosystem. Their presence assures balance and harmony. Much thought went into possibly transplanting species that have disappeared over the last 50 years. To our joy and amazement we are seeing them return on their own.

We have witnessed turtles traveling miles over dry pastureland to ponds now recovering and teaming with life. Wild turkeys appeared, cranes, birds I do not remember ever seeing, and plant life and flowers we have yet to identify. Antelope have became a part of the landscape for the first time.

The Old Ones speak of the medicinal plants that are stimulated by the bear scat that now is appearing on well worn trails, newly established. The black bear are seen coming farther down the draws, full of wild berries, in greater numbers. Bear cubs have wandered into the yard out of curiosity and found the laundry on the clothes lines great fun to play with. Heavy poaching had diminished the white tail and mule deer populations. Now, we are seeing many more and have found their tracks in our vegetable garden.

The black-tailed prairie dog towns are expanding. Badger, marmot, fox, coyote and many other species are reclaiming their home territories. Occasionally a wolf is spotted on the horizon. Many ask if we are concerned about some of the perceived dangers with this new influx of predators. On the contrary, there is a greater peace, fuller, richer habitat, a greater harmony they seem to understand and cultivate. I often watch the coyotes play as the horses graze peacefully, mother bear bringing her three cubs to the hillside by the house as if to show them off and the sharptail grouse raising her 13 young by the garden.

My heart swells, I am humbled and grateful for the lessons, the encouragement the greater understanding of “home on the range”.

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Classes & Gatherings

To be updated soon...

News / Announcements

THE INTERNATIONAL SUNDANCE

Sacred Ground Intl is host and home of the International Sundance that is sponsored and made possible by the World Council of Elders. The first Sundance was held at Sacred Ground high on a plateau beneath the mountain in 2007. It now returns to Sacred Ground in 2012. For further information and reservations please contact: worldcouncilofelders@gmail.com

Tree day is August 21, 2012, requesting early arrival to support and assist with the preparations. More details will follow as we get closer.

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MISSION:

The International Sundance is a one-of-a-kind experience essential to reawakening humanity at this special time through reconnecting with Mother Earth and the timeless teachings of Elders from many cultures. As we are all related, the power of our collective healing prayers and loving intentions will reach across the globe to all members of our Earth family. Through this experience together, we will find the inspiration, guidance and clarity of will to co-create sustainable solutions to current world challenges, and a joyful future for generations yet to come.

" The essence of this International Sundance was granted by the Great Spirit thousands of generations ago to our sacred and holy ancestors. It has been enhanced by the guidance and direction of the Great Spirit through many humbling ceremonies to this time and day."
- Frank Settee, Cree/Ojibwe/Lakota Ceremonial Elder -

The International Sundance is the manifestation of a vision carried for many, many generations - an extraordinary gathering of family from the four directions in sacred ceremony to honor the Great Spirit, our Mother Earth, and all life. It is a powerful time for prayer, healing, guidance, sharing in community, remembering our true selves, restoring balance between female and male energies, and for reaching out to our brothers and sisters all around the world. This annual gathering is so unique because Elders from around the globe come together to add their traditional ceremonies and teachings to the time-honored wisdom and practices of the Traditional Sundance of the first peoples of North America. Every year, the International Sundance will travel to a different location around the world including Australia in 2010, Central America in 2012, and later to Africa, Asia and Europe. Each one-of-a-kind gathering will honor the traditions, ceremonies and wisdom of the host cultures and other international participants as well as those of the Traditional Sundance.

Why Now? We're living at a time unique in all of Earth history. We sense the shift in energies. We observe extremes in polarity all around us, and we experience the accelerated pace of change. The wisdom-keepers of the Earth's indigenous traditions have faithfully carried prophecies for millennia telling of this special time of transition at the close of an era. This is a sacred time of choice. We are setting the energies for a new time. What do we want that to look like? What kind of future are we creating for our children?

The Elders know that right now, like at no other time before, we have the opportunity to wake-up, open out hearts and minds, and understand the truth of our interconnectedness with all life. Time is of the essence. We must begin to consciously choose to heal and restore balance to ourselves and our relationships with our fellow humans and our precious Mother Earth. It is imperative that we act now to create a future of peace, harmony and healthy abundance.

Sundance Tree

The Traditional Sundance is a very sacred ceremony central to the culture of the first peoples of the Northern Plains. It has been conducted every summer for thousands of years to honor the Great Spirit and to pray for the well-being and protection of the people. The ceremony takes place outdoors on sacred land. A circular Arbor is constructed around a central Sundance Tree. Sundancers fast from food and water for four days while they pray and dance inside the Arbor around the Sundance Tree. They are accompanied by traditional drumming and singing. Supporters and helpers do not fast; however, they fully participate in the ceremony through prayer and service to the community. As one experiences the spirit of the Sundance, a feeling of cleansing & rebirth often occurs as a result of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges inherent in the Sundance ceremony. Everyone has the opportunity to take the life-changing teachings and unique experiences gained with them to practice and share with others in their lives.

Sweden joins the Sundance

How You Can Help. We're gathering the necessary resources for the International Sundance including travel expenses for the international Elders and drum groups; ceremonial supplies for the Sundancers; and tools, building supplies and equipment to house and feed the participants. Your financial support for this unique and important ceremony is greatly appreciated. worldcouncilofelders@gmail.com

If you have questions, would like to participate in some way or want more information please contact us:
406-245-6070 or email: info@sacredgroundintl.org

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Introducing Terra Sacra
We have a new Affiliate Project! Terra Sacra (Latin for 'Sacred Ground') is located in the Pyrenees Mountains of France...

Read More... or Visit www.terrasacra.net

“THE BLESSINGS OF THE MOUNTAIN ARE SUBTLE YET POWERFUL, LOVING YET DEMANDING, PEACEFUL YET MAY CHANGE YOUR REALITY FOREVER.”

The Old Ones

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