It has been prophesized amongst Indigenous Cultures that a time would come for the sharing of their deep knowledge with the world. Knowing the importance of this union of the cultures and the sharing of Ancient Earth Wisdom, Laurie Pettigrew lays the groundwork by honoring specific codes of practice. In her initial steps, she invites the support of the Indigenous communities and makes agreements to initiate the work that they will set in motion together at The Art Ranch. This protocol has been recognized by many of the Indigenous Nations' First People of America and they've embraced The Art Ranch as a place where they can share their deep knowledge, and keep traditions alive by passing it down to their children, as well as to children of all cultures.

This protocol has been recognized and honored by many of the Indigenous Nations First People of America. In 2005, she met Red Bird, of the Cochiti Pueblo, who aided Laurie in producing the first Art Ranch program, the White Buffalo Camp. In 2007, Laurie met Blue Thunder, an Eastern Shoshone Tribal Member and Younger Elder/Spiritual Leader whose guidance has deepened her knowledge of the sacred ways. These protocols hold a great reflection for peace of the First Nation's Teachings. Blue Thunder is currently a consultant to the Art Ranch and performs the ceremonies to initiate these unions. He also performs Earth Ceremonies around the America's and abroad.

The awareness of, sensitivity to and practice of these ways is the foundation to The Art Ranch.

In 2005, Laurie met Red Bird, of the Cochiti Pueblo, who aided her in creating The Art Ranch/White Buffalo Camp. In 2007, she met Blue Thunder, an Eastern Shoshone Tribal Member and Younger Elder/Spiritual Leader whose guidance has deepened her knowledge of the sacred ways. Blue Thunder is currently a consultant to the Art Ranch and performs the earth ceremonies to initiate the Projects. Susan Stewart, of the Crow Reservation, and Steward of Chief Plenty Coups’ property, also joined the group in 2007. With her deep wisdom and dedication to honoring “all ways”, Susan is a huge support in guiding the Art Ranch’s mission. Chief Plenty Coups had a dream vision as a child that foretold of his having land where all nations would come together to share knowledge. The Art Ranch held the first program to fulfill this vision and has be invited to continue its programs on his property.

Ohlone leader Charlene Sul is currently working with The Art Ranch to create The Art Ranch Ohlone Black Bear Village in Northern California, slated for 2010. Recently Laurie met Warfield Moose, a Lakota Medicine Man, whose dedication to his path will have a significant effect on The Art Ranch and it’s future programs. Through this union The Pine Ridge Sustainable Project is being developed for Lakota children and families. First phase is scheduled for Summer, 2010.

This program requires the students to use all their senses including their intuition, teaching them to trust themselves, communicate from the heart, and be aware of the world around them. Through hands on work with the horses in the ring, they will learn different riding and handling techniques in preparation for riding and tracking excursions in the woods and open meadows. On the tracking excursions the students will learn about the various herbal medicine, plant and animal life.

Each student will have a Track pack which includes:

In this course, students make a pair of moccasins from tanned elk, deer, or moose hide. They learn the ways of hide-working from a American Indian elder, using traditional materials such as bone awls to fashion the holes, and sinew thread for sewing the shoes from the inside-out, which hides the stitches and creates its unique appearance and U-shaped uppers.

Dolly Luhan

Fine line painting is an art that requires a steady hand and a penchant for repetition. The lines are painted, one-by-one, onto pieces of pottery, until they intersect in a complex pattern that compliments a particular scene or symbol Š for example, a bear claw in the center, or a landscape with several traditional pueblos. Through the combination of these designs and symbols, a story is told through these pieces.

In this workshop, Dolly teaches students the basic techniques of fine line painting, beginning with the strokes themselves. Painting each stroke is a meditation in itself.

These lines are practiced in pencil first, before they are painted over with special fine brushes. Students learn to make each individual line, understanding how each line contributes to the structure and essence of the finished piece. As they master their strokes and designs, students complete the workshop with a painted piece that tells a story of their own.

In this workshop, students learn about the significance of medicinal herbs in American Indian culture, by identifying and collecting plants that are indigenous to the region and preparing simple remedies. Their first project is creating their own smudge stick, a bundle of dried herbs or plants, most commonly sage, that are burnt during sweats, ceremonies, and sun dances, for its balancing properties. Students also learn to utilize different parts of the plants they collect. For example, they use the root of a wild yam for a pain relief remedy, and then use the tuber (underground stem, like a potato), for food. Each plant is respected for its various uses and healing properties, and is prepared with an accompanying story about its place in American Indian history and culture.

Sand painting is an art form that dates back thousands of years in indigenous cultures. Tibetan monks paint elaborate mandalas with lines of sand over a period of several days, before destroying them as a metaphor for the impermanence of life. Navajo sand painting is done for both ceremonial and artistic purposes, and is also destroyed after completion, to protect the sacredness of their designs. The sand paintings are said to have healing powers when painted by a Medicine Man or Singer. Instead of using metal tools, Navajo medicine men create the paintings by letting the sand fall delicately through their fingers.

Students are introduced to the artistic form of sand painting, which incorporates many elements and symbols of sacred ceremonial sand paintings. They first learn the significance of the four primary colors: white, yellow, blue, and black. The colors represent four sacred mountains and their directions: Arizona's San Francisco Peaks (west), Navajo Mountain in Utah (north), Mt. Blanco in Colorado (east) and Mt. Taylor in New Mexico (south). Under the guidance of a Navajo elder, the students learn to hold and maneuver the sand in their hands to create their designs in traditional methods, starting from the center and painting outwards. The final project is a collaboration, in which each student contributes one of their individual paintings to make a group mural.

Teacher, HawkQuest Workshop (Kin is developing a workshop specifically for The Art Ranch TBA)

Kin created HawkQuest believing environmental awareness is a key to the survival of the world as we know it, and education - of our nation's youth in particular - is paramount to this process. He has developed many educational programs such as HawkQuest's unique Classroom-in-the-Wild. Kin has received national recognition for his work combining educational and ecological concerns, having appeared on both local and national television programs. Kin also serves as a consultant to organizations that promote the welfare of birds of prey.

The sweat lodge, or inipi, plays a significant role in many American Indian tribes, as a source of spiritual preparation for dances, ceremonies and vision quests (solitary rites of passage). The sweat lodge is cleansing and purifying, as it reconnects the individual to their relationship with the earth and his or her inner spirit.

A designated person who has the right to hold a sweat will share knowledge about the ceremonial uses, practices, and construction of a sweat lodge. This leader of the sweat shares stories and legends about the role of the sweat lodge in spiritual life. In preparation, students take time to reflect on personal issues and use their journals and circle sharing to process their feelings. They then participate in the sweat lead by the leader who guides step-by-step them through the ceremony.

* Pictures of the actual Ceremony are prohibited.

During this activity, students will gain experience building traditional village structures used by the Ohlone and other Native California Indians. For example, structures in the form of "ruks" were created for lodging, open arbors were created for community gatherings and prayer, and larger enclosed structures were used for community gatherings. Students will learn about each of these village structures through the guidance of village architects. Through the process students will be involved with the sacred gathering and preparation of materials. The practice of preserving and maintaining these environments will be taught as well.

Each participant carries their own backpack with sleeping bag and minimal essentials.

Leaving at dawn, the students will “walk lightly” across the land; through valleys and forests that are rich with wild animals such as antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, bobcat, porcupine, badger, coyote, and prairie dogs. They will be able to see for miles as they hike up steep inclines to the tops of ridges where they will be honored by visits from soaring eagles and hawks.

At dusk, the campers set up camp for the night and make dinner. The night sky will come alive as the students sit around the campfire roasting marshmallows, and telling stories.

The next day, they journey back to base camp continuing their lessons in tracking and survival; herbal studies, identifying medicinal plants and herbs, their uses and applications.

Many of these games were developed centuries ago. Simple rocks, stones, sticks and pieces of leather were used in imaginative ways to create games that honed skills needed for hunting, tracking and survival.

American Indian games can be divided into two classes: games of chance and games of dexterity/strength. Games of chance were created to develop risk taking, competition, and the power of observation and intuition.

Games of dexterity were designed to develop stamina, strength, agility, and speed.

At the Art Ranch playing these games provide a fun and exciting environment for students to enhance their social development and collaborative abilities.