Sacred Ground International
by Tana Blackmore
I have never met Tana Blackmore in person, but I feel like I know her. Like my self, she is a long time friend of Slim Spurling's. Every time Slim returns from a trip to Tana's ranch in Montana, he shares stories about the incredible world she's created there. Never having been around wild creatures and knowing nothing about ranching, I sit like a little kid listening to him talk about the buffalo herd, and the horses, and the bear, and the deer, the native grasses, and how something about Tana's place seems to give life to everything that wanders into it. Every time I hear them, these tales make me wonder, 'who is this woman and what is she doing?'
When it came time to do this issue on animals I called Tana to see if she would give The Spirit of Ma'at permission to talk about her work. We got into a conversation that made me realize that there's no way to talk about her work without talking about her — so I am prefacing this article with enough background information to give you all an idea of who this remarkable lady is.
Tana's mother is a white woman. Her father is a Hunkpapa Indian. His tribe is part of the Lakota nation. Most people categorize the Hunkpapa as Sioux, and when Tana speaks about her lineage, she refers to her self as a Lakota Sioux.
When she was a young girl Tana's mother remarried a white man who lived and ranched on the Crow reservation. The Crow and the Sioux happen to be arch enemies so, being the only Sioux in the tribe she grew up in an atmosphere of extreme prejudice. Her status as an outcast was exacerbated by the fact that she looks white and isn't male.
Shunned and discriminated against during her formative years, Tana talks about how at one point the Crow children who beat her regularly on the playground, were ready to kill her for being who she was. I am not well informed regarding the inter-tribal animosity that is so common among the native people, and can only imagine what this must have been like for her. Tana says that what saved her was the idea that she might be able to escape from it all — which happened when she got sent off to boarding school.
This woman, who had never been accepted or welcomed by her people, worked her way through college, and went on to build a multimillion-dollar business in the fashion industry. She became so successful she had it all, as they say — success, money, recognition, all the things we think we want — and then, overnight, her glamorous life got the rug pulled out from under it and she lost everything.
Devastated by the sudden disappearance of who she thought she was, Tana returned to Montana to find herself again. According to her it took a year and many trips to the mountain that she used to go to for solace as a child before she knew the gift that Spirit had for her.
In 1996, her prayers brought her a vision of a buffalo. In the vision Tana was asked, 'would she bring the buffalo back?' Not understanding the full power of this miracle, or perhaps out of humility, feeling that the work she was being called to do was too big for her, she said, 'no way! I can't do that'.
Visions have a way of surprising us, but when they are real, it is impossible to ignore them or pretend that we aren't up to the task. Thirty days after the buffalo came to her a man who had heard about her vision gifted her with three buffalo calves. By Christmas that year, she got gifted with three more — and that's when it all began to manifest. Now there are 110 buffalo grazing on her land and what seemed to be too much for her back in 1996 has turned out to be a miracle that continues to unfold.
It's no coincidence that the creatures who give their lives to sustain us came into Tana's life and gave her everything. The wisdom of the buffalo is inside her now and she is doing amazing things at her beautiful place in the Pryor Mountains of Montana. Read on if you have a taste for what is sacred and real. It is our hope that you will be inspired by a woman whose work isn't just a lot of talk. Tana Blackmore is living her vision in the here and now.
At one time, not that long ago, 60 million buffalo roamed free and in harmony with nature across America. The Native American on the western plains relied on "Tatanka" for all aspects of their lives. Knowing this, the U.S. Government ordered all the buffalo to be eliminated during the Indian Wars of the 1800's. Outside of a few in the mountains around Yellowstone Park and some in captivity, they nearly succeeded.
With the passing of the buffalo, life on every level of the ecosystem and the lives of the Native People and all people would change forever. Sacred Ground International is committed to the restoration and education of all that they represent and contribute. Though the Happy Heart Ranch is the steward, they belong to us all.
With the assistance of experts in soil and grass conservation we are restoring our 3000 acres to their original grass and wildlife habitat. Fencing is a constant as we expand the grazing capacity in the mountain pastures. Our growing herd of 100+ thrives with minimal management and a lot of love and attention. Listening and watching what they are communicating is a must.
Buffalo symbolize abundance…they gave 'all' to the people what the people needed. They did so with love, respect and complete conscious giving and they did so because that is why they are here, that is what they were born to do. They had such dominion over the plains and the earth upon which they lived. Completely self sustaining and completely able to provide for themselves and others…a symbol of all that we are. We have dominion over the earth that we walk. We have the ability to provide for all of our needs physically, spiritually and emotionally, that which can be given to ourselves at any time. The buffalo lives within us and gives us the ability to walk in the dominion of our own abilities.
As there are many tribes and organizations committed to 'bringing back the buffalo' we have united with this mission. Diabetes has been called the 'Plague of the Native American People.' Due to the commodity based diet many are suffering. Buffalo meat is higher in protein and lower in fat than beef and other meats. It provides enzymes that compliment the human digestion. In 2003 we joined the campaign to provide buffalo meat to elders, the disabled and for sacred gatherings and ceremonies such as the Sun Dance.
The harvesting is done in a traditional and sacred manner. The robes and skulls are then given to spiritual leaders to share with the people. In the Native way it is not appropriate to purchase such sacred items, they must be passed on or given to them. These robes and skulls are very precious to them and we are often graced with their tears of gratitude. The restorative 'ripple effect' impacts so deeply, physically, culturally, spiritually and emotionally.
To maintain our sustainability we rely on contributions to meet the cost of animals and the preparation of the robes and skulls. There are various opportunities to participate.
(We are a 501 C (3), all donations of monies, time, materials etc. are tax deductible)
Purchase a buffalo to be donated ($900.00)
Sponsor the processing and travel for robes ($850.00), or skulls ($250.00)
Adopt a buffalo…monthly assistance ($40.00)
FENCING, FENCING, FENCING!!! — This is our greatest request at this time. The cost of steel is rising ($5.00 a post) and we have 3 to 5 miles to complete this summer!
CORRALS — We are sorting and 'giving away' several young animals for starter herds to neighboring tribal leaders. (see The Heyteyneytah Project)
Our love and gratitude for your participation!
Copyright 1999–2007 Sacred Ground International.
Tana Blackmore
Founder of Sacred Ground International, Tana Blackmore is a Visionary, Business Consultant, Counselor, Spiritual Intuitive, Rancher, Teacher, Artist, Author, Native, White, Lover of Nature, and student of Philosophy and Universal Law.
Contact Information:
Phone: +1-406-245-6070
Fax: +1-406-245-7007
Mail Address: Sacred Ground International Box 78, Pryor, Mt 59066, USA
Website: www.sacredgroundintl.org
Email: info@sacredgroundintl.org
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