Each day of the Summit includes a ceremonial ride from each of the Four Directions into our base camp in Sedalia, CO. Riders include Tribal members from reservations representing the four cardinal directions as well as honorary riders from other communities. The public is invited to greet the riders and stay for the events listed below. Eachevent lasts approximately 2 - 4 hours, but participants are welcome to come and go as their schedule dictates. Please RSVP at the link below this schedule to attend any of the events!
Day One: Saturday, July 16 Four Directions Ride from the North - Oglala Lakota Riders from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in S.D. Riders arrive at Tipi Raiser's Base Camp in Sedalia, Colorado between noon and 1:00 pm Note: Often times, the Four Directions begin with the East (sun rising). However, we have chosen to commence the Four Directions Ride from the North in acknowledgement that the Tipi Raiser's roots were laid down first with our Lakota friends on Pine Ridge.
Arrive at noon and join the welcoming drum ceremony as the Riders arrive, sample traditional foods, purchase Tribal art and jewelry and stay for cultural presentations and intimate dialogues with Tribal members.
Special Event: Lakota Star Knowledge - 4:30 - 5:30 pm at the Fiske Planetarium Theater in Boulder. Historically, several Lakota bands conducted a sacred pilgrimage through the Black Hills every summer which started at Black Elk Peak as the first stop (marked by the Pleiades = Winchichila Shakowin), progressed to Buffalo Gap, Ple Sla’ and then on to Mato Tipila at the summer solstice to conduct the Sun Dance. This unique Lakota star tradition followed the progression of the Sun through the stars to inform annual pilgrimages through the Black Hills for timing sacred ceremonies and for optimal hunting and gathering. There is some evidence that this tradition is quite old, perhaps dating from two millennia ago. Please join us at the Fiske Planetariumto immerse in this planetary lesson rooted in Lakota wisdom.
Day Two: Sunday, July 17 Four Directions Ride from the East - Riders from the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation in NJ, NY and PA. Riders arrive at Tipi Raiser's Base Camp in Sedalia, Colorado between noon and 1:00 pm
Arrive at noon and join the welcoming drum ceremony as the Riders arrive, sample traditional foods, purchase Tribal art and jewelry and stay for cultural presentations and intimate dialogues with Tribal members.
Day Three: Monday, July 18 Four Directions Ride from the South - Hopi and Navajo Riders from the Hopi and Diné Nations in AZ. Riders arrive at Tipi Raiser's Base Camp in Sedalia, Colorado between 6:30 and 7:00 pm
Arrive at 6:30 and join the welcoming drum ceremony as the Riders arrive, sample traditional foods, purchase Tribal art and jewelry and stay for cultural presentations and intimate dialogues with Tribal members.
Day Four: Tuesday, July 19 Four Directions Ride from the West - E. Shoshone & N. Arapaho Riders from the Wind River Indian Reservation in WY. Riders arrive at Tipi Raiser's Base Camp in Sedalia, Colorado between 6:30 and 7:00 pm
Arrive at 6:30 and join the welcoming drum ceremony as the Riders arrive, sample traditional foods, purchase Tribal art and jewelry and stay for cultural presentations and intimate dialogues with Tribal members.
Keep an eye on this page as we announce special guests and events!
In alignment with the Indigenous wisdom of reciprocity and gift economies, all Tipi Raiser's events and programs are FREE. We believe that those who join us on our mission 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. "When a society loses the sacred - when everything has a monetary value, the commoditization of human life cannibalizes itself." Basil Brave Heart
It is through grants and donations that we are able to subsidize all Tipi Raiser's programs including the Summit & Ride.
Please consider making a Donation! In addition to raising awareness around conditions in Native communities, sharing Indigenous wisdom and advancing reconciliation, revenue generated through this event supports the following Tipi Raiser's initiatives:
Providing employment and job training for Tribal members in positions ranging from labor, driving and programming.
Providing firewood, food and necessary supplies throughout the year to families in the Native communities we serve.
Providing scholarships for Native and non-Native youth to participate in Gen7 gatherings throughout the year; visiting each other's communities, learning about one another and gaining interpersonal and leadership skills to impact change in their communities.
Facilitating events like the Summit & Ride in which Indigenous perspectives on historical events and current conditions are shared and common understanding is gained.
More about the Indigenous Wisdom Summit & Four Directions Ride:
Guests are invited free of charge to all events and presentations (donations are deeply appreciated)!
Tipi Raisers covers stipends, transportation and all expenses for the Tribal members who join us.
Volunteers are invited to join us at our Tipi Village for the entirety of the event - or for whatever their schedules allow.