A Historic Convergence of Indigenous Wisdom
For the first time in recorded history, representatives from 17 First Nations and Indigenous Tribes will gather in Southern Oregon for the inaugural Pacha Iyari Summit. This landmark event represents a powerful alliance of ancestral wisdom traditions uniting with a singular purpose: to honor and protect the Sacred Lands, Plants, and Waters that sustain all life on our planet.
The name itself carries profound meaning across Indigenous languages – “Pacha” (Earth/Time/Universe in Quechua) and “Iyari” (Sacred Heart in Wixárika) – symbolizing the connection between Earth wisdom and heart-centered consciousness that will guide this unprecedented gathering.
The Call of the Ancestors
In these critical times of environmental challenges and cultural preservation, the summit emerges as a beacon of hope and action. Elder prophecies across numerous Indigenous traditions have long spoken of a time when the original wisdom keepers would need to unite, sharing their sacred knowledge to help restore balance to our world.
The Q’ero medicine people, descendants of the pre-Incan cultures of the high Andes, have helped facilitate this historic gathering. As traditional guardians of ancient wisdom dating back thousands of years, they recognize that now is the prophesied time for Indigenous knowledge to be shared more widely for the benefit of all beings.
Sacred Knowledge Keepers Unite
The summit brings together an extraordinary constellation of Indigenous wisdom traditions, many of which have maintained their spiritual practices despite centuries of challenges. Participating nations and tribes include:
• Hatun Q’ero Nation – High Andean wisdom keepers from Peru, considered the direct descendants of the Inca
• Wixárika (Huichol) People – Sacred medicine tradition from Mexico known for their profound connection to peyote and deer ceremonies
• Apache Tribe – Keepers of powerful earth-based spiritual traditions from the American Southwest
• Hopi Nation – Ancient pueblo people whose prophecies and ceremonial calendar have guided their people for millennia
• Navajo/Diné People – Stewards of intricate healing traditions and sand painting ceremonies
• Lakota Nation – Preservers of the sacred pipe traditions and vision quest ceremonies
• And representatives from numerous other Indigenous wisdom traditions from across the Americas
This convergence represents an unparalleled gathering of Indigenous spiritual authorities, many of whom rarely share their traditions outside their own communities.
Featured Wisdom Keepers: Voices of the Ancestors
Among the many respected elders and knowledge keepers attending this historic summit, we are honored to introduce seven distinguished wisdom carriers who embody the living traditions of their peoples. Each brings decades of ceremonial practice, cultural preservation work, and spiritual leadership to this unprecedented gathering:
Jake Singer was born on the Navajo reservation in Arizona 80 years ago. He is a traditional Diné Medicine Man, traditional doctor, Sundance Chief, ceremonial leader and Vietnam Purple Heart veteran. Jake represents the population of Veterans that have healed from PTSD. Currently, Jake serves as the spiritual advisor of For Goodness Sake Inc and has traveled with them around the world to speak internationally at conferences on behalf of his culture, their sacred medicine, and their way of life. It is his dream and vision for the wellness center Iná Bádoo, on his home property in Pennsylvania, to serve as a Rehabilitation Center for Veterans. This vision will be united in conjunction with traditional indigenous healing practices, and various holistic modalities around the world.
Marlinda is a respected Elder and is Cornmaiden of the Corn Clan of First Mesa, Hopi Nation. Together with the International Q’eros Foundation, she bridged the Hopi and Q’ero for the first time in history (since the Great Migration), in 2009 at the Indigenous Peoples Day gathering in Nevada City.
She lives on 1st Mesa in Hopi and carries the rights and responsibilities of a Hopi Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
She is very active in raising her family in traditional Hopi ways.
DOTTEN NORBU
As an employee of the Department of Culture of the Royal Government of Bhutan, I am a specialist in sculpture and making Buddhist statues and images for use in building and restoring temples, palaces, and other traditional Bhutanese-style structures.
I have worked at many of Bhutan’s most treasured Buddhist sites and governmental buildings during my 25 year career, including the world-revered Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Leap), as well as Phurba Lhakang monastery, Trashichodzong – the national Secretariat, and the historic national capital city building in Punakha.
I was selected as part of an 8 member team to help ornament the temples of the Drukpa Mila Center, a Bhutanese Buddhist 501c(3) organization with centers in Colorado and Oregon. Drukpa Mila Center is under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Karma Namgyel. His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, designated Khenpo as his official representative and charged him with educating the international community of the tenets and practices of Bhutanese Buddhism. I will be providing my services to Drukpa Mila Center on a voluntary basis to sculpt a number of clay-based statues, images, and murals in both Colorado and Oregon.
Upon completion of the project, I will rejoin my family in Bhutan and resume my professional duties at the Department of National Properties.
JIGME THINLAY
I am currently employed by the Vajrayana Foundation based in Thimphu. I volunteer my service through the Foundation to serve communities in the restoration and protection of old paintings in monasteries and temples that are subjected to exposure to moisture, smoke, and neglect. I have helped create wall murals and stand-alone paintings for many of Bhutan’s most revered Buddhist sites, including Masapokto, Thremalhakag, Ngangshing, and Chummey monasteries.
I was selected as part of an 8-member team to help ornament the temples of the Drukpa Mila Center, a Bhutanese Buddhist 501c(3) organization with centers in Colorado and Oregon. Drukpa Mila Center is under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Karma Namgyel. His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, designated Khenpo as his official representative and charged him with educating the international community of the tenets and practices of Bhutanese Buddhism. My responsibilities cover traditional painting services for Drukpa Mila Center on a voluntary basis and the tasks include exterior and interior painting of shrines, numerous clay-made statues, murals, scrolls, and so on.
SAMTEN LA
As a professional employee of the Department of National Properties of the Royal Government of Bhutan, I design and make wood carvings depicting Buddhist images and other traditional architectural features for use in constructing and restoring temples, monasteries, religious shrines, and other traditional Bhutanese-style structures. I have worked on many culturally significant sites in Bhutan including the world-renowned Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Leap), as well as Chang Gangkha, Nyelung Pelri, and Chummey Buli monasteries.
I was selected as part of an 8 member team to help ornament the temples of the Drukpa Mila Center, a Bhutanese Buddhist 501c(3) organization with centers in Colorado and Oregon, using traditional Bhutanese iconography. Drukpa Mila Center is under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Karma Namgyel. His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, recently designated Khenpo as his official representative and charged him with educating the international community of the tenets and practices of Bhutanese Buddhism. I will be providing my services to Drukpa Mila Center on a voluntary basis to assist with ornamenting both the exterior and interior with designs reflecting traditional Bhutanese architecture.
Upon completion of the project, I will rejoin my family in Bhutan and will resume my work for the Department of National Properties.
SAMZANG DUKPA
I am a skilled carpenter currently working for the Vajrayana Foundation based in Thimphu. It is through the Foundation that I have traveled across the country to volunteer in activities such as the construction and restoration of traditional Bhutanese buildings and monasteries in the country. I also have an established Samzang Furniture House producing a variety of high quality religious-themed furniture and objects – including elaborate shrines, altar tables, ritual objects, and other interior decorative elements on demand from sources such as temples, monasteries, and private individuals in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangdue, Haa, and Chukha areas. I joined the Vajrayana Foundation in 2019.
I was selected as part of an 8 member team to help ornament the temples of the Drukpa Mila Center, a Bhutanese Buddhist 501c(3) organization with centers in Colorado and Oregon. Drukpa Mila Center is under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Karma Namgyel. His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, designated Khenpo as his official representative and charged him with educating the international community of the tenets and practices of Bhutanese Buddhism. I will be providing my services to Drukpa Mila Center on a voluntary basis to ornament both exterior and interior spaces with designs reflecting traditional Bhutanese architecture.
Upon completion of the project, I will return to join my family in Bhutan and continue with my work for the Vajrayana Foundation and operation of the Samzang Furniture House.
TSHERING DORJI
I am a wood carver and I do interior design work and wood carving depicting Buddhist images for use in constructing and restoring temples and palaces. I have 21 years of religious-themed artisanal design experience and have done wood working on numerous historic sites in Bhutan, including the world-renowned Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Leap) and Punakha palace.
I was selected as part of an 8 member team to help ornament the temples of the Drukpa Mila Center, a Bhutanese Buddhist 501c(3) organization with centers in Colorado and Oregon. Drukpa Mila Center is under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Karma Namgyel. His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, recently designated Khenpo as his official representative and charged him with educating the international community of the tenets and practices of Bhutanese Buddhism. I will be providing my services to Drukpa Mila Center on a voluntary basis to assist with remodeling the centers with traditional Bhutanese architecture.
Upon completion of the project, I will rejoin my family in Bhutan and will continue with my work in temple and palace restoration.
TSHERING PHUNTSHO
I am an employee of the Department of National Properties of the Royal Government of Bhutan. I have been deputed by the government to work on many important sites within Bhutan and India including painting the residence of His Holiness Khentse Rinpoche, (a prominent Buddhist religious leader), in Kalimpong, India. I have been asked to paint thangkas (scrolls) on walls within the shrine rooms.
I was selected as part of an 8 member team to help ornament the temples of the Drukpa Mila Center, a Bhutanese Buddhist 501c(3) organization with centers in Colorado and Oregon. Drukpa Mila Center is under the spiritual direction of Khenpo Karma Namgyel. His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, designated Khenpo as his official representative and charged him with educating the international community of the tenets and practices of Bhutanese Buddhism. I will be providing traditional painting services to Drukpa Mila Center on a voluntary basis and this task includes exterior and interior wall paintings depicting Buddhist iconography comprised of guardian deities, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other religious symbols including clay-made statues, murals, scrolls, etc.
Three Days of Transformative Experiences
Participants will have the rare opportunity to witness and participate in authentic ceremonial traditions, cultural exchanges, and wisdom teachings normally inaccessible to the general public. The three-day journey includes:
Sacred Ceremonies & Cultural Expressions
• California Round Valley Tribal Dances – Traditional dances that connect the physical and spiritual worlds
• Apache Hoop Dance Ceremonies – Sacred choreography symbolizing the interconnectedness of all life
• Wirikuta Film Exhibition – Documenting the sacred pilgrimage routes of the Wixárika people
• Indigenous Music Performances – Featuring traditional instruments and songs passed down through generations
• Sacred Fire Ceremonies – Ancient fire traditions that serve as portals for prayer and transformation
Wisdom Teachings & Practical Action
• Elder councils sharing prophecies and traditional ecological knowledge
• Workshops on protecting sacred sites and healing watersheds
• Indigenous perspectives on addressing climate challenges
• Intergenerational knowledge transfer ensuring cultural continuity
• Collaborative action planning for land and water protection initiatives
A Gathering with Purpose
This summit transcends the concept of a conventional “event.” It represents an ancestral gathering where Indigenous wisdom keepers will share their traditions while collaboratively addressing critical challenges facing sacred lands and waters.
The gathering serves multiple sacred purposes:
- Honoring ancestral traditions by creating space for ceremonial practices
- Building solidarity among Indigenous communities facing similar challenges
- Sharing ecological wisdom crucial for environmental restoration
- Creating alliances between Indigenous and non-Indigenous protectors of sacred places
- Ensuring continuity of ancient wisdom for future generations
As one elder expressed: “This is not simply an event – it’s an ancestral gathering where hearts unite to protect our collective heritage and ensure sacred traditions flourish for generations to come.”
Practical Information
Location: Jackson Wellsprings, Ashland, Oregon – a natural hot springs sanctuary nestled in the mountains of Southern Oregon, chosen for its pristine waters and natural setting.
Dates: May 30-June 1, 2025 (Friday through Sunday)
Participation Offerings:
• Full Summit Journey: $295 (includes access to all ceremonies, teachings, and gatherings)
• Single Day Experience: $111 (select your preferred day of participation)
All proceeds support Indigenous communities and their ongoing work to protect sacred lands and waters.
Registration Information
Space for this historic gathering is limited to ensure an intimate and respectful environment. Pre-registration is required for all participants.
To secure your place among this unprecedented gathering of wisdom keepers:
Email: IQF.CASCADIA@PROTON.ME
Website: sacredlandsacredmedicine.com
When registering, please include your full name, contact information, and which participation option you prefer (full summit or single day).
The Pacha Iyari Summit organizers acknowledge that this gathering takes place on the traditional territories of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples. We express our gratitude to these original stewards of the land and to all Indigenous nations who continue to protect sacred places worldwide.
Join us for this unprecedented gathering where ancient wisdom meets urgent action for the continuity of life on Earth.