Earth Walks® is a cross-cultural, environmental education program that has been offering its services to the community for the past 17 years. Guided journeys, retreats and seminars are offered in the Northern New Mexico area, the Four Corners of the Southwest and several locations in Mexico. Activities involve visits with indigenous teachers of the area who are well versed in the traditions of their people. Experiences help participants understand how different cultural traditions approach health, healing and basic ways of learning.
As author, scholar and Santa Clara Pueblo member Dr. Greg Cajete says:
"Traditional systems of Indian education represent ways of learning and doing through a nature-centered philosophy. They are among the oldest continuing expressions of 'environmental' education in the world. Taken as a whole, they represent an environmental education process with profound meaning for modern education as it faces the challenges of living in the twenty-first century."
(Look to the Mountain: An Ecology of Indigenous Education)
Earth Walks®' helps participants to see ways indigenous Southwest cultures manage stress, enhance immune system response and foster increased psychological well being and mental attitude. Through an exploration of traditional values, arts and lifeways, participants gain additional options for dealing with their illness.
Quotes from Participants
"Undeniably, my first Earth Walks® experience was substantially more than helpful. It was empowering. The idea of health as defined as 'well-being.' went beyond medications and doctors. It was enhancing and validating with the inclusion of the body-mind-spirit dialog."
"I realized how much I had been given by being on the Earth Walks® and it touched my heart... now, when I look at the pot---which I do constantly---it is a reflection of the perfection of the Universe and my own true spirit." (after spending a weekend with a Jicarilla Apache potter)
Director's Biography - Douglas Conwell
Douglas co-founded Earth Walks® in 1989 and has been director since 1991. He holds a Masters Degree in Urban Affairs from the University of Colorado, a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Texas at El Paso and a state license of massage therapy from the Jay Scherer's Academy of Natural Healing. Douglas has served as a consultant to the New Mexico Academy of Advanced Healing Arts. Douglas was a founding board member of New Mexico AIDS Services and a volunteer with NMAS for 11 years. He has been a lecturer at the National AIDS Medicine and Miracles Conference and a keynote speaker at the National AIDS Bodyworkers Conference. He has been a health educator and counselor in the public schools and served as a family therapist for Santa Fe Family Institute and maintained a private practice as well. Douglas served as Director of Information for the New Mexico Department of Environment and Director of Community Relations for the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe. He leads seminars in "Geomancy: the Healing Power of Place," and has taught a college level course in the cultural and faith traditions of northern New Mexico at Ghost Ranch Center near Abiquiu.
