2013 Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Gathering Photos

Grandmothers (L2R front row): Minisa Crumbo Halsey (orange), Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance (purple),
Gracie Elm (black), Della Romero (turquoise)
For more info on Elders of 2013, go to: http://fhwisdomkeepers.org/pg03Elders.html 
Photo taken by: Nathan Blindman
April 28, 2013

Elders in picture include: Mike Bastine (front row, 3rd from left), Dawn Woman (2nd row, 2nd from left),  Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance (2nd row, 3rd from left), Gracie Elm (2nd row, 3rd from right), Della Romero (2nd row, 2nd from right)
Lloyd Elm (not pictured)

Lloyd Elm (not pictured) - Ganunsasay (New House) - Onondaga: (Lakota name: He stands with children) Lloyd is a credentialed educator with leading influence in both the academic and traditional Native worlds. As a purposeful Sundancer, his personal sacrifice and prayers have benefited many including the contemporary Tibetan cause.

Della Romero - Pueblo/Ute: Della is a Sundancer and pipe carrier. Della attended past Wisdom Keepers gatherings at the request of deceased Wisdom Keepers Elder, Grandmother Bertha Grove, who has designated Della to carry on her work. Della's work as supervisor in family therapy includes experiences with youth on her reservation and other Indian centers. Her dedication to youth lends itself to providing needed care and sharing of tribal traditions for the coming Seven Generations. 

Minisa Crumbo Halsey - Wabaksekwe (Dawn Woman) - Citizen Band Potawatomi/Muscogee Creek: Minisa brings professional artistry from her Native childhood home to her present professional practice in the arts of painting, silversmithing, lapidary arts, ceramics, basketmaking, beadwork, and quilting.  She practices medicine work in presenting traditional women's ways and endeavors to work in harmony with the natural and spiritual elements of "Mother Earth and Father Sky-Sun........that we might truly be alive in a living world."

Mike Bastine - Algonquin: Mike is an Algonquin healer and former student of famous Tuscarora medicine man Wallace “Mad Bear” Anderson and Tuscarora healer Ted Williams. In 2011, he co-authored the book entitled IROQUOIS Supernatural: Talking Animals and Medicine People with Mason Winfield.

Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance - Oglala Lakota: Grandmother Rita has spent much of her life on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. She is descended from Long Visitor and is a member of the Crazy Horse Band, named for the great warrior, Crazy Horse. Grandmother Rita is described as a Lakota keeper of the traditional ways, great grandmother, Native American Church elder, and beadworker. She is a member of the Council of Language Elders, focusing on Oglala Lakota language immersion and teaching their native tongue to both children and elders. Read more about Grandmother Rita, as our very special guest this year, on the Featured Activities page.