Feathered Pipe Foundation: Awaken Your Humanity – Body, Mind & Spirit
“The mission of the Feathered Pipe Foundation is to help people find their direction through access to programs and experiences that cultivate awareness of their truest selves; enrich spirit, mind, and body; explore the world’s wisdom and discoveries; and actively practice seva (service) to support healing, education, community and empowerment.”
What the Feathered Pipe Foundation is About
Since our inception in 1975, the Feathered Pipe Foundation – a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization – has been focused on the elevation of human consciousness. We recognize both the privilege and responsibility to nurture sustainable and holistic communities and preserve cultural traditions that embrace and inspire such inclusive philosophies.
Explore our current Feathered Pipe Health, Wellness and Yoga Retreat schedule here.
We host yoga retreats in Montana and yoga tours around the world with master teachers whose styles encompass the full spectrum of specialties and emphasis, including yoga and Ayurveda, mindfulness and meditation, shamanism and nature-centered spirituality. Every event we host is informed and embraced by the spirit and function of the Feathered Pipe Foundation’s core purpose – seva yoga.
In addition to offering yoga retreats and travel experiences that honor cultural traditions and encourage individuals to live more mindfully and cooperatively, the Feathered Pipe Foundation supports and undertakes numerous humanitarian efforts. Through our educational programs of self-discovery and social ‘good works’, we support the development of healthy communities on local and global levels.
Honoring Sacred Tradition
Over the years, the Feathered Pipe Foundation (the non-profit running the retreat and programs at Feathered Pipe Ranch) has supported the local community through various programs, most notably working with late Chippewa-Cree elder Pat Kennedy in his efforts to reclaim and reinvigorate endangered ceremonies of the Cree people. From 1996-2005, nine annual Peace Encampments were held to resurrect four native dances: the Jump Dance, the Horse Dance, the Prairie Chicken Dance, and the Ghost Dance.
Along with the state of Montana and The Four Winds Foundation of New York, the foundation raised money to sponsor the encampments, providing food, camping accommodations and education for 500-800 tribal members each year. To date, the Feathered Pipe Foundation has provided over $70,000 for these peace encampments and a Cree language project. “The tribes deemed the encampments so important that they sent busloads of people to attend,” India said. “We did all we could to ensure the events were completely free to the hundreds who attended over the nine years.”
In 1997, Pat won the Temple Award from the Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) for his work as a healer and mentor to many tribes in the Northwest. “His mission is to teach all people how to be whole and strong in support of each other, their families, their communities, all life, and the Earth,” IONS wrote. “Pat charges no fees for his services and sometimes works with people outside the Native American communities.”
When asked why he teaches non-natives, Pat would respond: “My elders taught me—although the skin color may be different, the blood inside is the same.” Anyone who came to him with good intentions and a genuine heart, he was willing to teach.
Thanks to the love and support of many teachers, leaders and elders along the way, the Feathered Pipe Ranch remains committed to its original vision of loving all and serving all. While the center is a safe haven for people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life, the Ranch is dedicated to serving Montanans through employment, scholarships and free programs for veterans, which welcomes and includes members of the native community.
“I am so grateful for all the time I have spent with my native relatives over the years,” Feathered Pipe Foundation founder, India Supera said. “It has been enriching for all of us, and we recognize the honor and responsibility to give back to the cultural traditions that have guided our journeys.”
We invite you to support our efforts to usher in a new season of humanity through a financial donation.
Feel free to call us at (406) 442-8196 if you’d like to learn more about the specifics of our projects and how you can be a part of our seva yoga. As well if you desire that your tax-deductible donation go to support specific projects, please contact Executive Director, Crystal Water, at crystal@featheredpipe.com.
You can also help the Feathered Pipe by designating Feathered Pipe Foundation when you purchase items at over 3,000 online stores through Giving Assistant. We also maintain a WishList on Amazon for those who like to help the Feathered Pipe by purchasing supplies we need for the Ranch.