CHIEF ARVOL LOOKING HORSE

Arvol Looking Horse was born on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. At the age of 12, he was given the responsibility of becoming the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, the youngest ever. He is widely recognized as a chief and the spiritual leader of all three branches of the Sioux tribe. 

He is the author of White Buffalo Teachings and a guest columnist for Indian Country Today. A tireless advocate of maintaining traditional spiritual practices, Chief Looking Horse is the spiritual leader of the Big Foot Riders which memorializes the massacre of Big Foot's band at Wounded Knee. 

Chief Looking Horse's prayers have opened numerous sessions of the United Nations and his many awards include the Juliet Hollister Award from the Temple of Understanding, a Non-Governmental Organization with Consultation Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He lives on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. He is the father of 3 children, Farin, Makas’a & Cody as well as many youth he has adopted.

Film interviews with Arol Looking Horse on spirituality, tribal history, and advice for American Indian youth are a featured part of the documentary film and DVD on the Crow Shoshone Sun Dance entitled Native Spirit: The Sun Dance Way. An illustrated book, Native Spirit: The Sun Dance Way, by Thomas Yellowtail (recorded and edited by Michael Fitzgerald), also features his counsel.

World Wisdom has prepared special video clips of Arvol Looking Horse speaking on a variety of different subjects. They can be viewed in our American Indian Resources section.

MAESTRO DOMINGO DIAS PORTA & MARIA GUADALUPE ABUNDIS DE DIAS (LUPITA)

Venerable Sat. Arhat Domingo Dias Porta was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1930. Under his guidance, the Initiatic Sovereign Solar Order of Chichaan Itzaab (S.O.S.X.I.) has developed in different places in Venezuela, Mexico, the United States, Europe and Peru. He has founded and organized cultural and spiritual activities in almost all countries in the Americas, in 10 European countries, in Israel and in Morocco. He is the founder of the Association of the Solar American Indian (M.A.I.S.) Movement of Cultural Approach to the Autonomous Traditions and Peoples of the Continent. He is also the founder of “Acción por la Unidad Mundial” (A.U.M. - Action for Global Unity), a movement of International Cultural Integration to promote a culture of peace through dialogue of personal transformation, through exchange of knowledge, and joint participation in activities and programs (both on the individual and group level).

Maria Guadalupe Abundis de Dias (Lupita) has dedicated her life to the Sacred Initiatic Tradition for her own spiritual and human evolution and for the benefit of those who surround her. She graduated with a Masters Degree in primary education in 1982, and she entered the Initiatic path and became a student in the lineage of Dr. Serge Raynaud De La Ferriere In 1998. She currently works with many women’s groups and has helped organize many women’s gatherings at both the national and international levels, having lived in the United States, Mexico, and Venezuela. Lupita is a member of Insignias Aztecas, a nonprofit organization promoting and preserving the tradition and teachings of the Aztec dance. She has participated at the Shoshone-Kumiai Ghost Dance in Escondido, California and has participated in the “Magos de La Tierra” seminar with Jose Arguelles in Chile and Portland, Oregon. Lupita is currently a member of S.O.S.C.H.I. (Sovereign Solar Order of Chichen Itza), an organization promoting peace and the spiritual development of individuals for the benefit of all humanity, and L.H.A.S.S.A. (the Academy of Ancestral Wisdom).

She is the director of the Superior Course in Theurgy, an online course taught by Maestro Domingo Días Porta, and is an essential member of the organizations M.A.I.S.C. (The Movement of American Indian Solar Culture) and Accion por la Unidad Mundial (A.U.M.) / Action for Global Unity as a personal support to Maestro Domingo Dias Porta. Additionally, she is currently studying to receive a license in Gurukul Ayurveda under the direction of Dr. Ramon Gonzalez at UPTM University in Mérida, Venezuela. Lupita is happily married to Maestro Domingo Dias Porta, is the mother of 4 children, and grandmother of 2.

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

Marianne Williamson is a bestselling author, non-profit and political activist, and spiritual thought leader.   For over three decades Marianne has been a leader in spiritual and religiously progressive circles. She is the author of 14 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times best sellers. A quote from the mega best seller A Return to Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…” is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers.   Williamson founded Project Angel Food, a non-profit that has delivered more than 12 million meals to ill and dying homebound patients since 1989. The group was created to help people suffering from the ravages of HIV/AIDS. She has also worked throughout her career on poverty, anti-hunger and racial reconciliation issues. She has advocated for reparations for slavery since the 1990’s and was the first candidate in the 2020 presidential primary season to make it a pillar of her campaign. In 2004, she co-founded The Peace Alliance and supports the creation of a U.S. Department of Peace. In addition, she advocates for a cabinet level Department of Children and Youth to adequately address the chronic trauma of millions of American children.   Marianne is a native of Houston, Texas.

RABBI YOM TOV GLASER

Rabbi Yom Tov Glaser, born on the coast of California,  spent 12 years in the oceans and the mountains surfing  and mountainbiking while delving deep into the realms of the human/divine experience. 

In 1991, Rabbi Yom Tov moved to Jerusalem,  where he resides today with his wife and family, to pursue the Ancient paths of Jewish mysticism.  Rabbi Glaser‘s wife, Leah (mother of 8 children), is a great light for thousands of people in the world.

In year 1998, Rabbi Yom Tov was trained in the arts of hypnotherapy, in 1999 he received rabbinic ordination and in the year 2001, he founded The Possible You seminar, engaging 8000 participants in an intensive four day journey to the soul. 

LAMA ARIA DROLMA

Lama Aria Drolma has been studying and practicing Buddhism for over a decade. She is trained in the Dharma Path program of progressive stages of Mindfulness and contemplation for serious practitioners, a program which is offered by Kagyu Thubten Chöling monastery (KTC) New York.

She has taught Mindfulness at The Harvard Business School Women’s Association-New York, Fordham University-New York, Marist College-New York, Chapel Of Scared Mirrors -New York, United Nations-New York, Tibet House-New York, Rubin Museum-New York, IRIS Wellness Festival -Hong Kong and Sevayu – Ayurveda Center –Canada and University of Oxford, UK.

KAWENNONTIE (SHANI) MARTIN

Turtle Clan, Mohawk Nation, Six Nations Territory, Mother, Grandmother, Haudenosaunee Waldorf Teacher

Kawennontie Martin is from the Six Nations Grand River Territory. She is of the Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan Family. Kawennontie has been an active role model for her community in the deliverance of her loving distributive energies through her heart and her creative thinking. Kawennontie embraces ancient Ancestral knowledge through daily living and a seasonal rhythmic ceremonial life while planting seeds of important values as a Haudenosaunee/Waldorf Teacher.

She is currently studying Anthroposophy at the Rudolf Steiner Centre, Toronto and her life’s education continues through the development of the senses, observing, planning and interacting with the inner and outer landscapes of life. Kawennontie is a loving mother of nine children and 4 grandchildren.

GLORIA MANARI USHIGUA

Gloria Manari Ushigua is an indigenous leader and dream shaman of the Sápara people of Ecuador.

The Sápara Nation of Ecuador is recognized by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” because their language and culture are in danger of disappearing. There are about 500 Sápara people living in their ancestral home, in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. While their population is small, their territory is quite large and is a critical part of the Amazonian ecosystem.

YUBI HUNI KUIN

Yubi Huni Kuin from the Hunikuin people of Acre, Brazil. He is an Indigenous Agroflorestal Agent and Indigenous filmmaker. José has participated in indigenous film festivals in the United States, Germany, Mexico and Bolivia and his films have won the the following awards: ForumDoc Documentary Festival of Belo Horizonte -Brazil (2006); Tatu de Oro -Bahia Film Festival (2008); Tatu Plata -Bahia Film Festival (2009). He was Secretary of AMAAIAC (Association Movement of Indigenous Agroforestry Agentsof Acre) from 2002 to 2008 and Advisor for Indigenous Affairs with the Government of the State of Acre from 2011 until 2019.

PAULA LOOKING HORSE

Paula Looking Horse in an accomplished traditional Dakota singer and artist. Her musical credits include opening for the Indigo Girls, touring Europe with Keith Secola and other notable native artists, and composing and producing her own cd, Songs of a Black Hills Woman.

She has been involved in Native rights for over 40 years, organizing Wopida (Great Thank You) Ceremony in 1984 for the Sacred Pipestone Quarries in Minnesota.  The following 7 years she helped organize the Sacred Pipestone Run through all SD Reservations  to bring attention to the mass exploitation of the selling of the sacred stone aka “the blood of the people”. 

She is one of the four graduates of Red Schoolhouse (RSH) in Minnesota and a subsequent board member. RSH was the first alternative school to teach Traditional Native education curriculum - bringing forth historical truth vs. inaccurate history books in Public Schools. She brought her organizational skills to World Peace and Prayer/ Honor Sacred Sites Day in 1996 and has been a moving force in creating the events ever since. She is also the mother of eight children and many more adopted throughout her life.

MAESTRO MANUEL RUFINO

Maestro Manuel Rufino is a recognized elder in the Taino tradition and World Director of M.A.I.S.C. He is a spiritual guide, gifted ceremonial leader and teacher of sacred initiatic traditions of the world. Maestro Manuel is also an artist, certified iridologist, naturo-therapist, vegetarian chef & the visionary guiding the Golden Drum community and many vegetarian restaurants including Jungle Café in Brooklyn. Guided by his teacher, Maestro Domingo Dias Porta, Maestro Manuel has been following the trails of indigenous healing arts for over 40 years. Maestro Manuel travels around the world sharing initiatic traditions, leading workshops, lectures, sweat lodges and healing rituals.
In 2010 Maestro Manuel and a number of his students opened Golden Drum as a space for sacred traditions in New York City. Founded to give voice to the worldview of Native Americans, indigenous peoples and the esoteric schools, Golden Drum features living representatives and students of these great traditions.

TATA PEDRO CRUZ

Tata Pedro Cruz is one of the few surviving members of the Mayan Council of the Elders of Tz’utujil, which is a branch of the Maya Qui-che. “Tata Pedro,” as he is most affectionately known, is a traditional Mayan Ajq’ij and Day Keeper, and one of the principal authorities of the Council of Mayan Elders of Lake Atitlan in Guatamala. He received the title “Heart of the Lake Atitlan” K’U’XYA by his fellow Mayan Council of Elders and Tz’utujil people.

Tata Pedro recognizes the interconnectedness of all people, the expanding consciousness of the planet, and the urgent need to unify our spiritual, cultural, and ethnic wisdom for the benefit of the planet and humanity. Tata Pedro is a globally recognized elder in the Mayan tradition and has traveled far and wide sharing knowledge, ceremonies, and practices. He is the interpreter of dreams for his community and a leader of the preservation and education of Mayan day keeping and fire ceremonies.

NANA MARINA CRUZ

Nana Marina Cruz is a healer from the Tz ́utujil Tribe, and is a spiritual guide of the old traditions. She is the daughter of Tata Pedro & works not just as a healer and therapist with natural folk methods, but as a ceremonial leader of fire, tobacco, cacao and sweat lodge, and also teaches native Mayan languages.

KEVIN NATHANIEL

A visionary musician who, with voice and ancient Afrikan instruments, channels sound as a universal healing force. Together, breathing rhythms to the beat of our synchronized hearts, Kevin Nathaniel resonates songs of the "big picture" of love in ways that propel the soul to dance! A long-time devotee of mbira, kalimba, circle song, drum, dance, meditation, and yoga; a world-traveled music healer sharing the musical medicine of the ancient, the now, and the beyond, Kevin Nathaniel brings a fresh, deep experience of the beauty of sound.

PANCHITA CALFIN

Native of the Francisca Nienlaf Community, Widow of Calfin in the Commune of Toltén, Araucanía Region. Francisca has been a healer since she was very young, her grandmother -who was machi (traditional healer and spiritual leader) – received her at birth and raised her to the WenuMapu (world above, heaven) saying sacred words to take care of her family.

When reporting his childhood, she says: “My grandmother used to teach me her medicine, she used to tell me:  “you prepare it since you are so beautiful, it will be very good from you”, she would say: “four by four”, or “two by two”, and I showed her the roots, sheets and put them like that, two by two, as she told me. When people came to me, they used to tell my grandmother “We want to receive her medicine because she is always so happy and I get better quickly” and people wanted me to make the medicine tea. I made herbal medicine tea and made it with charcoal, from laurel wood and that’s why it smelled richer, I used to put in her burnt sugar; and the fire spoke to him: “Grandfather Fire, you who are so beautiful that you cook so beautiful, the food is so delicious, the tortilla so nich, this medicine must be delicious so people get better”

DREAM SEED

Dream Seed is a two-hour sound bath hosted by members of Golden Drum and Didge Project. Shamanic chanting, mantras, overtone singing, Native American songs, indigenous music, didgeridoos, crystal singing bowls, bells, gongs, harmoniums, tuning forks and other overtone-emitting instruments are used to create an environment conducive to deep relaxation and inward investigation. Participants are led through guided meditations and sound healing practices designed to harmonize body, mind and spirit.

PUA CASE (PUALANI)

Pua Case (Pualani) was born and raised on the Island of Hawai’i surrounded by the high mountains of Mauna Kea Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and Kohala, the fresh waters of Kohakohau and Waikoloa and the plains of Waimea. Pua’s life path and purpose has led her to become a Kumu Hula, a teacher of traditional dance and chant, and a teacher of the ways, culture, and traditions of the kanaka maoli or native peoples of Hawai’i. With a degree in Hawaiian Language and culture and a teaching degree in Social Studies, interwoven with the traditional teachings, philosophies, and expectations from her kupuna or elders, Pua has integrated ‘Ike Hawai’i or Hawaiian knowledge and lessons into the public school system for over 30 years. 

TITO LA ROSA

Tito La Rosa is a descendant of Quechua Indians of the Peruvian Andes. For many years, he has been recovering and preserving, studying and intuiting the ancestral music of Peru. He is also a Curandero de Sonido, a sound healer, who enters into an altered state to bring forth sound that elevates, allowing for healing and balance to occur. La Rosa has recorded with Mary Youngblood on the Silver Wave record label. His 2002 CD, "The Prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor," was nominated for a Native American Music Award, for Best World Music Recording.

MARYANN BEARHEELS (Ta Oyate Waste Wi—Her Good Nation Women)

MaryAnn a Ceremonial Prayer Woman of the Sicangu Lakota from Rosebud, South Dakota. “Our Lakota way of life starts with our creation stories and oral traditions that have been handed down over 500 years. We are creating awareness about our Indigenous environmental issues through our teachings of the water, buffalo, and bear teachings. Re-vitalizing our spiritual and physical being as Lakota women is vitally important to our future generations. Lakota community genetics is an overall look at how we are able to re-birth our nation utilizing our sovereignty and inherent rights to protect our ceremonies and women. We are the backbone to our nation and the umbilical cord to our earth.”

LEAH SONG FROM RISING APPALACHIA

“Leah Song is a powerful songstress, musician,multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, poet, and global griot steeped in the traditions of Southern Soul and international Roots Music. Living between New Orleans, Cuba India, Appalachia, and Latin America she tears into songs with outrageous prowess- incorporating sultry vocals, rhythm, banjo, guitar, ballads, dance, and storytelling into her work. Both a performer and a teacher, she travels with fire under her belt, songs in her pocket, and a global girth that carries her spirit to every corner it touches...See her work here Solo, and front woman with her sister Chloe Smith of the internationally acclaimed project Rising Appalachia.”