Native Perspectives On The Rio Chama With Roxanne Swentzell

River

Rio Chama

Duration

Multi Day

Minimum Age 16

Meals

yes

Price

$1250

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About the trip

Geology of the Rio Chama Join Us and our good friends at Southwest Seminars for 3-days and 2-nights rafting the Rio Chama led by renowned Tewa sculptor, Roxanne Swentzell of the Santa Clara Pueblo. We will share in stories and learn of the significance to her Tewa people of water and the land it flows through.

Trip Highlights

Explore the iconic Rio Chama Wilderness
Share in stories about the Rio Chama and its significance to the Tewa people
Amazing meals prepared by your guides starting with lunch on day 1 through lunch day 3
A variety of crafts available to suit you and your group

Where to Meet

This trip meets at Bode’s General Store, an iconic landmark in Northern New Mexico. Bode’s has offered safe parking for Rio Chama rafters for decades. Bode’s is in the heart of the artists village of Abiquiu, NM which is a mere 1 hour drive from Santa Fe and 1.25 hour drive from Taos. Plan on arriving early to enjoy their famous breakfast burritos and grab any last minute items you may be missing including beer and drinks.

For directions to Bode’s General Store click here!

Frequently asked questions

Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?
We will do our best! We have carefully crafted our menus to be inclusive of a variety of dietary preferences.

Do I need my own camping equipment?
No, although lots of guests choose to bring their own sleeping bags, we can provide you with a sleeping bag, sleeping pad and tent to share with other members of your group for no extra charge. Just be sure to indicate on your individual trip registration form what gear you would like us to provide and we’ll make sure your covered.

What is the cancellation policy?
For our Rio Grande overnight trips and for groups of more than 18 participants, no refunds are offered inside of 14 days before your trip date and for our Rio Chama overnight trips, no refunds are offered within 30 days of your scheduled trip date. If you cancel outside of these time frames, you will be eligible for a full refund.

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REVIEWS

WHAT TO EXPECT

Join us for 3-days and 2-nights rafting the Rio Chama with Santa Clara Pueblo artist Roxanne Swentzell to learn and appreciate the significance to her Tewa people of water and the land it flows through. Join Roxanne on the river to share stories and reflect as we listen to the voices within the landscape. Roxanne, is a renowned Tewa clay sculptor but also teaches permaculture from a Native American perspective and is Author, The Pueblo Food Experience Cookbook: Whole Food of Our Ancestors. We follow the Rio Chama for a 33-mile mellow rafting adventure from Tierra Amarilla while floating through stunningly colorful sandstone and limestone walls and hidden canyons. Our trip ends near Christ in the Desert Monastery. Marvel at pectacular red, yellow, and purple cliffs captured by artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams.

ROXANNE SWENTZELL is renowned for her figurative expressions in clay and bronze. Her character studies mirror her own life and struggles within a multi-cultural family upbringing yet deeply rooted in indigenous history but exposed to Western thought. Her Santa Clara Pueblo community practices traditions which have contributed to continuance over many centuries yet is surrounded by outside cultural influences which have had major impacts on the lives of its native inhabitants. She is known as an indigenous seed saver and she helped pioneer a change in diet for those wanting to go back to pre-European foods and native sources of diet to strengthen the health of her family and community. Her sculpture reflects the impacts of outside dominant society on tribal mothers, youth, and children with humor, sensitivity, and respect for the Earth which is the mother of us all. Found in public and private collections her art has received many awards.

Gallery