Join Southwest Seminars for 3-days and 2-nights rafting the Rio Chama with Santa Clara Pueblo artist Roxanne Swentzell to learn and appreciate the significance to her Tewa people of water and the land it flows through. Join Roxanne on the river to share stories and reflect as we listen to the voices within the landscape. Roxanne, is a renowned Tewa clay sculptor but also teaches permaculture from a Native American perspective and is Author, The Pueblo Food Experience Cookbook: Whole Food of Our Ancestors. We follow the Rio Chama for a 33-mile mellow rafting adventure from Tierra Amarilla while floating through stunningly colorful sandstone and limestone walls and hidden canyons.  Our trip ends near Christ in the Desert Monastery. Marvel at pectacular red, yellow, and purple cliffs captured by artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams.

ROXANNE SWENTZELL is renowned for her figurative expressions in clay and bronze. Her character studies mirror her own life and struggles within a multi-cultural family upbringing yet deeply rooted in indigenous history but exposed to Western thought. Her Santa Clara Pueblo community practices traditions which have contributed to continuance over many centuries yet is surrounded by outside cultural influences which have had major impacts on the lives of its native inhabitants. She is known as an indigenous seed saver and she helped pioneer a change in diet for those wanting to go back to pre-European foods and native sources of diet to strengthen the health of her family and community. Her sculpture reflects the impacts of outside dominant society on tribal mothers, youth, and children with humor, sensitivity, and respect for the Earth which is the mother of us all. Found in public and private collections her art has received many awards.

$1250 PP. Incudes rafting excursion, honorarium, all meals, camping gear and fees. $500 deposit to register, balance due July 1. No Charge for the Stars!