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We begin by entering He Sapa Wakan – The Heart of Everything That Is – the sacred Black Hills, Holy Land of the Lakota people. At Wind Cave we will learn of Lakota genesis, visiting the cave entrance from whence The People emerged to the face of the earth. We seek out Tatanka, learning of the significance of the buffalo to the Lakota people. At The Place of the Thunders, Hinhan Kaja Paha, we appreciate the beauty of the highest point in the Black Hills upon which Black Elk experienced much of what embodied the story of his life as told in Black Elk Speaks. Among the granite spires and brook laden grassy meadows of the Black Hills, we experience the tradition of storytelling, listen to the earthy wood wind tones of the Native American Flute, and jump on the new craze gripping Lakota & Cheyenne kids – traditional hand games, requiring slight of hand, a competitive spirit and a roguish sense of fun.
The Badlands are a geologist’s heaven. The excellent Visitor’s Center tells us the multi-hued pinnacles and buttes that make the barren moonscape known to Lakotas as Mako Sica took 75 million years in accumulation and now erode at the rate of an inch per year, but we listen for the stories of the Stronghold, the Spirit Prayer movement, the fortitude of The People and Wounded Knee whispered on the winds sigh.
HBO’s recent Emmy-sweep, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” won scant praise from local people and descendents of the victims, and together we begin to learn the true story of Wounded Knee at the Museum in Wall. Younger tour members remain entertained in the fun Western town famed by legendary highway ads while parents visit the mass grave bearing victims of the slaughter that marks one of American history’s darkest hours. The Vore Buffalo Jump is regarded as one of the world's premier archeological sites. With interesting mechanics involving enticing small groups of buffalo from the herds to run over the edges of cliff formations our interest also reflects the ceremonial journey that is linked to the sun’s passage through the constellations and the relationship between the buffalo and human beings.
At the Bear’s Lodge – Mato Tipila – known to mainstream tourism as Devil’s Tower, young and old alike are enthralled by the tribal explanations of the rock’s creation and the connecting star world. We head to the Bighorn Mountains where moose, black bear, deer and many more of the four-leggeds await discovery, and after an easy hike, you surely find yourself atop the western world with views to sate and astound! The Medicine Wheel high in the snowy reaches is assumed to local townspeople as a ‘Great Mystery’ but known to local tribes-people as an ancient place of prayer and meditation. The Tipi Ranch promises relaxation, fun for the kids in an environment of learning, cultural diversity, outdoor skills, and they can even raise a small tipi… and sleep in it too. If fire regulations permit, make your own S’mores at the campfire, listening to Cheyenne stories. Most kids like to help care for the horses, and our time includes a tour of the reservation, stories about the old days, how people used to live, and seeing how they live now, and a visit to the culture center to see beautiful Cheyenne arts.
Journey dates: July 21st – Aug 1st (Europeans return Aug 2nd )
Can’t make these set dates? Not necessarily a problem. Please Contact Us with your wishlist of sites and areas – we can create a private itinerary for you and your family with our team of all-indigenous guides.
Start – Rapid City, South Dakota, finish – Billings, Montana
We have special family pricing for this journey which is difficult to format in Infohub listings – please contact us. Family members may share rooms and will share tipis. We are happy to provide add-on experiences for the whole family, and will make all the US$ cost revisions for you. Please discuss possibilities and pricing with Sarah.
What tour members say:
"I would just like to say thank you again, its quite difficult for me to put into words exactly the impact of my time spent over there has had on me. Since I have been home the true essence of my experiences have become so much a part of me, it has taken time and a lot of alone space to totally absorb it. I am so grateful to have had the time with you all, I have met the most amazing people and fortunate to have made lots of new friends. As you know I will be back and I am hoping to bring my daughter." Vicki Howard, Queensland, Australia.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
You can supplement the Wisdom Keepers tour with many extra guided experiences and excursions with our Lakota or Cheyenne guides, at either end of your journey with us. Please contact us for details – these extra activities are usually only offered by prior arrangement.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
South Dakota
Wyoming
Montana
Cultural Journey
Native Americans
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