with Navajo weaver Irene Bennalley
August 3–10, 2008 in Toadlena, New Mexico

OUR MISSION is to promote living simply and sustainably on the land; to incorporate the Navajo traditional way of life; to reconnect with principles from our ancestors through knowledge and learning from nature, animal, and traditional ceremonies.

During the summer of 2008, Irene Bennalley, a Navajo Weaver from Toadlena, New Mexico will be conducting a retreat in the Chuska Mountain above Toadlena, NM on the Navajo Nation. Irene is of the Tse'na'bil'ni (Sleepy Rock Clan), born for Tah’ni'zahni (Tangle Clan), her maternal grandparents are T'oh'di'chiini (Bitterwater Clan) and paternal grandparents are Ah'chii (Salt Clan). Every summer, Irene grew up taking the family flock high into the Chuska mountains where the temperatures are cooler, the grass and water more abundant.

The week-long retreat will be a healing experience which will include an opening & closing ceremony. Irene will conduct lessons on Navajo Churro Sheep and sheepherding techniques along with stories of sheepherding, and a Tobacco Ceremony for the Sheep. The participants will participate in early morning and evening prayers and engage in Talking Circles. The participants will also be engaged in various classes to weave a Navajo rug which will include wool carding, spinning, and weaving. For extra activities, the participants will learn Navajo open fire cooking (fry-bread & tortillas & blue corn mush), will take nature walks, and pick herbal Navajo tea. At the end of the week, participants will leave with their own Navajo-style rug.

The following short film will give you a sense of the simplicity of this way of life, and a short introduction to Irene Bennalley.

The weaving materials used during the week are from Irene's flock. The full agenda <click here for agenda> will provide the attendees with an intimate look at the interaction of the humans with the sheep in establishing a way-of-life that has existed for centuries. The transmission of ancient knowledge and healing practices in the ceremonies, talking circles, prayers, and nature walks are calming techniques to enhance the transformation in harmony to reconnect with nature and come into your being.

At the beginning and end of the retreat, the Toadlena traders will guide participants on a tour at the Historic Toadlena Trading Post Museum which houses many of the priceless rugs seen in this film.

The Retreat will cost $875.00 for a week-long stay at the mountain side property. The mountain side property is a remote area; there is no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Participants must bring their own camping gear, warm clothing, rain gear, hiking boots, folding chair, toiletries, and food for one week (non-perishable), and a great attitude to learn and experience a traditional way of Navajo life. Participants must provide their own reliable (preferably 4-wheel) transportation to Toadlena Museum on August 3rd—we will caravan immediately for the mountain (rough terrain). You can register for the program by downloading the registration form PDF <here> and mailing it to the address provided in the PDF, emailing us or calling Irene Bennalley at (505) 793-8038. Register soon, space is limited.

Send a Navajo woman to the Native Fiber Artisan Mountain Retreat!
Here is a unique opportunity for you to support Navajo native weaving and help pass on the traditions of the weavers to future generations. Your generous purchase of tuition ($850) for a Navajo woman to attend this retreat makes this possible.