Our herd is directly and deeply connected to the overall mission and purpose of The Tipi Raisers as a whole. They are a cultural and historical connection to our Indigenous relatives. They selflessly offer their presence as we carry out reconciliation work across lines of difference and remind us that, ultimately, we are all connected.
The Tipi Raiser’s horses are a part of our community. They have carried some of us for thousands of miles over the past decade. They are the “Tsunka Wakan” (“Sacred Dogs”, in the Lakota language). They are our relatives, our teachers, our friends, our allies and our inspiration. We incorporate the horses into our organization in honor of Indigenous beliefs, which hold that they are Sacred Beings who are here to help us, teach us and be in relationship with us.
The herd is used throughout the year for some of the following purposes:
Mounted Patrol Training with Gen7
Annual 4 Directions Ride (previously the LakotaRide)
Supporting local Native initiatives and events
Raising awareness of our work
Keeping a herd is heavily dependent on our volunteers and donors. The feeding, training, relationship building, clean up, pasture and fence maintenance, etc. require significant work and financial commitments which we cannot do without your support!
You can meet the herd and begin to get oriented to them by joining our Nagi Circle Gatherings or reach out to Dave to schedule a time to come out. Come help us care for the herd and learn more about how you can be involved in caring for and engaging with the horses and how they fit into our community and purpose.
Although it often times is not readily apparent, horses are deeply dependent on relationships with other living things, whether that is their herd, humans riding them or other beings in their environment. Our perspective is that when a human rides a horse -- and if that human does not take the time to create at least some sort of relationship with that horse, then the ride will be almost wholly dependent on the physical tools (bits, bridle, saddle, et. al.) being used to control the horse. So, get to know our herd. Our community. Come shovel manure, brush the horses, spend time at the farm and observe them, learn how you fit in with the community and how you can contribute to the herd AND the larger mission.
When a society loses the sacred... when everything has a monetary value, the commoditization of human life cannibalizes itself. -Basil Brave Heart
We do not charge anyone to ride one of our horses and we do our best to only ride them in a respectful way -- and during occasions in which they are a part of a larger effort or purpose.
In alignment with this Indigenous wisdom shared by our dear friend - and former Board President - Basil Brave Heart, all Tipi Raiser's events and programs - are FREE.We believe that those who join us in community receive the gift that is inherent in that experience and that they will give back to the best of their ability - in this way, we can all stay in balance.
The generosity of our partners, through donations and grants, funds our horse program, humanitarian aid, service trips, events and Gen7 youth programs.
