–The Heart of the Andes
–Entering the Maya Mysteries
–Sacred Guardians of the World
The Heart of the Andes
Since 2007 we have provided sponsorships for Hopi and other Indigenous leaders to participate in spiritual travel programs in Peru. Periodically, Bolivia is included as a paired pilgrimage. The purpose is to bring these leaders together with their relations to share traditions and experience sacred sites. To view any current designated sponsorships, see the Heart of the Andes program page.
2022 Program in Peru
Sometimes things drop from the sky in a very good way. We wish to express gratitude to 4 Earth Elements Education and the Heart Walk Foundation. Due to their generosity, we jointly sponsored two Native North American Elders to participate as guests on the August 2022 Peru journey.
I returned from Peru a couple of weeks ago and the time I spent there was magical and inspirational. I am from the Mohawk Nation, Bear Clan, born on the Six Nations Reserve of the Grand River in Ontario. I am grateful to be a part of this special journey and I was able to share some traditional songs with the people and the land.
Our small group spent time off the beaten path, with Carla Woody, the founder of Kenosis, who specializes in Spiritual Journeys to unique places in the world where you get to meet and be in ceremony with the indigenous people of that land. Her years of establishing relationship with the people made for a very heartfelt gathering. We were in ceremony with the Q’ero paqos in sacred places in the mountains to honor and pray for the sacred mountains and Mother Earth (Pachamama).
We also spent time with the Matsigenka tribe in their area of the jungle where we met with the Medicine Carriers, the Storyteller and Song Keeper, those who weave and make cloth. These People who still live in harmony with nature and express their gratitude for the blessings in their life. They were a great example of living as one with the natural world, in rhythm with the cycles of the seasons, weather, time of day and each other. They have little use for the excesses of the western world and are a reminder to stop, enjoy the natural world and be grateful for what we have. It was an honor to be a part of this journey and I am humbled to be able to share my experiences, probably for the rest of my life!
I acknowledge and express deep gratitude to the generous donors and sponsors who made this journey possible. It is beyond my words of appreciation as it reaches back from the ancestors, from the ones presently here who will feel the magic in the sharing and from the future ones to whom the ripples will flow forward. Nya:wen!
Marsha Forrest, British Columbia
I am a member of the Working Group on International Repatriation under Honor Keeler, Cherokee Nation, formerly under the AAIA (Association on American Indian Affairs); we work with grassroots spiritual leaders, traditional Elders, Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples around the world, to help bring Ancestors, Sacred Objects and Items of Cultural Patrimony, home. We also promote anti-trafficking work and participate in Sacred Sites protection.
I have heard the migration and origin stories of my Ancestors since I was a very small child, a child of four to be exact, and my spirit experienced it’s importance directly. I heard them again in training with traditional Elders and even from spiritual leaders of other related Tribes! The stories were confirmed and I was encouraged to go to Peru.
Years passed and finally the time was right. Thanks to Carla Woody, I had the great honor to connect to those origin and migration stories in person. It was a transformational experience, the opportunity to connect with amazing spiritual leaders in Ceremony, to the land and to it’s sacred sites. I have since had long distance Ceremonies (on Zoom of all things) with these same traditional leaders! And yes, they understood what I was there to do!
Thanks to Carla those of us who travelled with her also gained rare access to a very lightly contacted People in the Amazon, the Matsigenka, in what the Inca called “Antisuyu”, the refuge of the last Incas…the latter connect to the Q’eros as well and the Aymara that I also met with, together they are one unbroken line extending back and back, long before even the Incas…making these connections was pure magic. What this journey did for me, for all of us I think, in mind, heart, body and spirit, it cannot be put into words. It will change your life!
Thank you Carla for this work that you do, which includes connecting Indigenous People with these Ancestral migration stories. This means more to the Ancestors and to the future generations, than any of us—mere vessels or “hollow bones” in a long line of connections and interwoven threads of past and future— can right now possibly imagine.
Melody Beaumont Talcott
2019 Program in Peru
Alvin Taylor, of the Hopi Sun Clan, was our sponsored guest for the October-November, 2019 Peru journey.
It was a once in a lifetime experience. Not knowing much about Peru, I went down with an open mind. Going to the sacred sites really left me in awe. You could sense energy in the places. My feelings were of positivity. And the sites were also very breath-taking and seemed to be waiting for our arrivals. Some of the sacred sites felt like being at home with our doings. Like the Hopi they also hold most everything sacred and offerings are common. Hopi with cornmeal and in Peru, coca. I still have not processed everything since I have returned. Our journey continues.
Alvin Taylor, Second Mesa, Arizona
2017 Program in Peru
In October 2017, we were honored to sponsor Thomas Hatathli, one of the few remaining Diné medicine men and Blessingway Chanters. You can read about Thomas’ life and healing ways. Also read Tinkuy: The Confluence of Relationship based on his words and experience in Peru as our sponsored guest.
2016 Program in Bolivia and Peru
For this pilgrimage through Bolivia and Peru, we brought together Q’ero (Peru), Hopi (US), Maya (Guatemala) and Aymara (Bolivia) Wisdom Keepers.
Q’ero paq’os (Wisdom Keepers) Carmina Zamate Machacca (left), Alejandro Cruz Apaza (center) and Julian Machacca Apaza (right) during a despacho ceremony outside Tiwanaku, Bolivia.
Apab’yan Tew (left) and Radford Quamahongnewa (center) with Aymara leader Roger Choque of the Island of the Sun, Bolivia.
We were privileged to have Hopi Elder Radford Quamahongnewa as a sponsored guest, designated by the Hopi religious leader. During this program, he validated the presence of the Hopi migration petroglyph at the Bolivian site Puma Punku, a significant aspect of their oral history.
The venture was very sacred for me. I was praying all throughout the trip. Visiting the shrines were most powerful as we have similar ones. This visit partially confirms the Hopi origin as the floods were mentioned (in the Inka creation stories), but the Serpent was not known to the guides who took us around. However, the Serpent was included in the migration symbol at the Puma Punku/Tiwanaku. The Constellation the Hopi observe are similar to the Inkas.
Radford Quamahongnewa, Hotevilla, Third Mesa, Arizona
There’s always something, that appears here and there that goes beyond imagination and keeps the spirit, the soul, flying free. I was not prepared for everything that I could see and experience in this journey. In this moment, I still ponder, dream and think with my heart about what was all of this, all these beautiful experiences.I feel gratitude, when in silence I miss my friends
in the mountains, Carla, Radford and all of them having, as I was, eyes of awe. I don’t really know, for sure, what is the soul, but mine, is still wandering in Qochomoqo.
Apab’yan Tew , Nawalja’, Sololá, Guatemala
2015 Program in Bolivia and Peru
Suhongva Marvin Lalo (1st seated right) outside ceremonial cave.
Hopi Elders talk about and remind generations after generations; of Hopi oral history including the migration stories of various clans after the flooding of Palatkwapi, a unknown ancient village located somewhere in the south. Exact routes, establish villages, and events have long been forgotten with time. Still, ancient ceremonies remained intact with clans responsible for carrying religious ceremonies through thousands of years of migrations to present day Hopi villages where the ceremonies are still practiced today.
The Heart of the Andes journey offered an opportunity to connect with ancestral history… Each day I visited archeological sites with our group and host. Visiting the great Titicaca Lake, to hear a local legend of a great city which was flooded thousands of years ago sitting at the bottom of the lake. The more I saw, the more I was reminded of how the structures, stone walls, the land and historical stories is similar in the the Hopi Southwest. The migration symbol is common to the southwest but seeing it in South America help support our Elders stories of Hopi migration from the south: ‘Palatkwapi.’
Suhongva Marvin Lalo, Walpi, First Mesa, Arizona
2014 Program in Peru
Harold Joseph with Q’ero paq’os during a despacho ceremony in the Q’ero village of Ccochamocco.
The effect on my life has been enormous in terms of the spiritual connections that were made on behalf of the Kikmongi [Hopi spiritual leader]. The awareness that we are spiritually connected to creators and keepers of life—Katsi. [And] emphasis on the importance of carrying on my responsibility as a Hopi and its ceremonial practices that rejuvenates life here on Mother Earth and the Universe for future generations.
Harold Joseph, Snow Clan, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona
2011 Program in Peru
Gerald Lomaventema and Merle Namoki giving gifts to Q’ero paq’os after despacho ceremony.
For myself… I think the Quechua, Maya and Hopi have similar cultures in common… We all need to pray to keep our Mother Earth and Father Sky in balance…
Merle Namoki, Sun Forehead Clan, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona
2009 Program in Peru
This trip and experience strengthened me to keep on with my faith, values, traditions, and support for Hopi religion for that is what makes me who I am. It is so important that the Hopi way of Life continues for our children and others still to come.
Charlene Joseph, Coyote Clan, Moenkopi, Third Mesa, Arizona
Diné Pat McCabe and son Liam Ireland of Taos.
2008 Program in Peru
From the experiences of these trips, I was able to verify many of our cultural and spiritual connections to the Indigenous people in Mexico and Peru…It is very important that these experiences are shared with our people and also our friends from North America so that we can continue to strengthen our understanding of our history as pueblos of North America.
Harold Joseph, Snow Clan, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona
2007 Program in Peru
David and Clarence Washington of Shungopovi with Founder Carla Woody.
Entering the Maya Mysteries
Since 2008 we have sponsored Hopi leaders from villages on Second and Third Mesas, and periodically other Indigenous wisdom Keepers, so they may weave connections with the Maya peoples of Mexico and Guatemala through ceremony and travel to sacred sites.
2019 Program in Mexico and Guatemala
Don Xun Calixto was our sponsored guests on the 2019 Maya program traveling with us in Guatemala. He accepted our invitation with much excitement and gratitude. He had only been outside his home area in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico once in his life. In Guatemala, this was an opportunity for him to learn and share traditions with Maya leaders there.
Read an article on his experience in Guatemala.
A member of the Cofradia, village religious principals, giving the ritual blessing to Xun Calixto in the Maya village of Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala.
2018 Program in Mexio
Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, Huichol Wisdom Keeper, composer-musician and artist, was our guest on the January 2018 Maya program in Chiapas. Xavier’s musical offerings during Maya ceremonies transported all of us and deepened our experiences. To read about his unusual, touching background, go here.
2017 Program in Mexico
The 2017 Maya program held two sponsorships: Hopi Ron Wadsworth of Second Mesa, and Salqa Apaza from the Q’ero village of Ccochamocco high in the Peruvian Andes.
Row 1: K’iche’ Maya Daykeeper Apab’yan Tew and Q’ero Salqa Apaza.
Row 2: Hopi Ron Wadsworth and Carla Woody, Founder of Kenosis Spirit Keepers. Photo taken by Connie Baxter Marlow at Na Bolom in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Ancient Travels of the Moqui, is what my journey to Chiapas, Mexico seemed to replicate. Kenosis Spirit Keepers through Ms. Carla Woody invited me on a journey back into the time when my ancestors occupied the regions of Chiapas, Mexico. To witness the indigenous Maya peoples practicing their strong beliefs and cultures was very overwhelming to say the least. The land upon which my ancestors harvested their crops twice a year felt like home to me!
Palenque, Tonina, and other sites still hold vibrations of scared energies our ancestors utilized in prayer for all life. It truly was and remains central to the Hopi (Moqui) in ceremony, spirit, and heart. I have brought this energy home to my people for our benefit as well as for the benefit of all. Thank you Ms. Carla Woody-Kenosis for giving me a surreal experience of Ancient Travels of The Moqui. I pray many others may experience this same journey as I have.
Ronald Wadsworth, Second Mesa, Hopi (Moqui), Arizona
2015 Program in Mexico
Hopi Merle Namoki is seen here with Don Antonio Martinez, Lacandón Maya Elder, in his god house in the Chiapas rainforest village of Nahá. After the balché ceremony, Merle gifted Don Antonio with a pa’ho, prayer feather, that he’d made in the kiva.
…to travel to a wonderful place of our Ancestral Roots. And also to see how the Ruins,Temples of the Sun, Moon, Rain, Germination, Spider Woman & the Twin war gods, Wind, Living Agricultural & Ceremony, Food….is similar to the ways of Hopi. I’m thankful for the Shamans & the Healers to show a little of their healing and their Ceremonies with us. Praying for them to keep their Traditions & Practices Alive. And also the rain and beautiful green landscapes, mountains & trees that are sacred to us. Help Preserve Our Land. Kwa-Kwah ! Thank you!
Merle Namoki, Sun Forehead Clan, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona
2013 Program in Mexico
Grandmother Flordemayo, Maya member of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers (right) with Lacandón Maya Elder Koh Maria in the family compound of the late spiritual leader Chan K’in Viejo in Nahá.
Grandmother Flordemayo, our sponsored guest, speaks of her experiences on the Maya program.
2012 Program in Mexico and Guatemala
Hopi Charlene Joseph, Coyote Clan, Moenkopi, Third Mesa, Arizona, was our sponsored guest for the December 2012 program.
Charlene after a ceremony honoring Saint Maximón in the village of Santiago Atitlán in Guatemala.
2012 Program in Mexico
Hopi Alvin Taylor, Second Mesa, Arizona, was our sponsored guest for the January 2012 program.
Alvin (left) making a presentation to Don Xun Calixto of San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, (middle) with the late Chip Morris (right) translating.
2011 Program in Mexico
Hopi Augustine Mowa, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona, was our sponsored guest in January 2011.
Augun at Palenque.
2010 Program in Mexico
Gerald Lomaventema with Don Antonio Martinez, Lacandón Maya Elder, in his god house in the Chiapas rainforest village of Nahá. Gerald is gifting Don Antonio with an item after the balché ceremony.
These places we have visited are held in great awe by the Hopi. For they are in our stories of creation, which are told to us as youngsters and as we mature into adulthood. Understanding myself was the first lesson I received. Now healing has begun… We should continue the visits to these mystical and sacred places, because it is important that we encourage other Indigenous people to continue to practice their ancient ways for the good of all…Kwak- Kwa! Thank you!
Gerald Lomaventema, Bear Clan, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona
2009 Program in Mexico
Harold Joseph, Snow Clan, Shungopavi, Second Mesa, Arizona, was the first sponsored guest we brought to Chiapas.
Harold (right) with Lacandón Maya Elder Don Antonio Martinez (left).
Download The Last Spirit Keeper by Carla Woody, a featured article in Sacred Fire Magazine in Fall 2012, which shows how creating a space for healing has far-reaching and powerful effect in this progressive story of connection between the Hopi and Lacandón Maya.
Sacred Guardians of the World
In 2016 we began sponsoring Indigenous wisdom keepers from other traditions to participate in the spiritual travel program to Hopi.
Apab’yan Tew playing his flute, in traditional greeting to the land, at Coal Mine Canyon on Hopi.
Tat Apab’yan Tew, K’iche’ Maya Daykeeper from the Guatemala Highlands, was sponsored to the US in March 2016. During this time, he was a guest on our Hopi program and shared Maya traditions at locations in Arizona and Kansas. Read about his experiences here.