“Loba is a light. She inspires us with profound wisdom gained from her deep listening to the natural world. While many of us are busy with crowded schedules and media mania, Loba and her partners live in the Gila wilderness where their lives are deeply blended in the dynamic cycles of nature. They are beacons to us; they remind us of the joy, ease, and, ecstatic wonder of being human. I am grateful for these Magic Canyon mysteries... and Loba, the sweet daughter of the Earth, performing her alchemy. I am blessed. I am blessed more. I am heaped with blessings from the canyon and those who love it, and those ancestors who loved it for thousands of years.”
-Justine Toms, New Dimensions Radio, CA
 

LOBA has been a codirector of this Project for a decade and a half now. As a young woman she literally followed her dreams home here to New Mexico, where she found her true self, her power and her calling. She’s known for writing a regular column for SageWoman magazine as well as feature pieces in The Beltane Papers and other related periodicals (see Writings By Loba), and has even more dramatic an impact in person. Loba’s well earned wisdom is exceeded by her deep presence, expressive gratitude, compassion, empathy, sweetness, devotion, strength and joy.... serving as a shining role model for everyone she meets. Loba loves preparing wondrous meals for our guests, hosting with Kiva Rose the various Project Events including the annual Wild Women's Gathering. Letters continue to come in years later from the women and men who have benefited from her guidance and example. Loba’s angelic voice and Canyon melodies can be heard on the GaiaTribe album “The Enchantment.”

“I feel born of the Earth, born into self, born to live again. I’m feeling like an individual, a person with a core.... Awesome! Loba is a bright new, crisp, windy Fall day that is blowing away darkness from my soul and lifting me into the happiness of the universe beyond.”
-Suzanne Mahoney

“Kiva helps us cut through any remaining illusion and denial, making clear the hard choices we need to make in the course of becoming our whole and empowered selves. She clarifies, bolsters, discomforts and assures like none other.”
-Karen Forth (author of The Price Of Fiction)

KIVA ROSE is a powerful Counsel and lover of the Earth, impassioned poet and inspiring author. Her acclaimed essays and poetry have appeared in various publications including Slow Trains Literary Journal, Stirring, Wicked Alice, Megaera, Talking Leaves, The Beltane Papers, Awareness, Eclectica Magazine, and her own online journal of literary erotica, The Divine Animal (see Writings By Kiva). A brilliant child who never quite fit in, she dealt with family abuse and gender violence to grow up into a woman of incredible insight and strength. In her first year as codirector she was responsible for the rewriting of our program descriptions, the creation of our first ever display ads and the refinement of this website. Handling the majority of Project correspondence, she’s most likely the person you will hear back from when you query about the various opportunities here or request personal advice. Kiva joins Loba in leading women’s group Events and wilderness Quests. She’s loyally wedded to this purpose and place, guaranteeing the passing on of these glad duties and important teachings, and the continued protection of our precious Canyon sanctuary.

"Jesse inspires our passion to take us further -seeing the world whole- even holy."
-Terry Tempest Williams (author Desert Quartet, Red and others)

JESSE WOLF HARDIN is a renowned artist, musician and writer, teaching a blend of Earth-informed spirituality, social activism and personal growth. He was responsible for the purchase of the Sweet Medicine Sanctuary properties in 1981 and the subsequent restoration of its rare riparian ecosystem, as well as the founding and development of this educational Project. The author of seven books including The Canyon Testament and Gaia Eros (see Books & Music), he also writes over fifty articles per year for various periodicals such as Mother Earth News (turn to Writings By Jesse Wolf Hardin) and Magical Blend . Jesse draws on the unique energies of this place and the sacred world-view of our ancient ancestors, in order to retell the story of our joyous interpenetration with/in the rest of the living world. In his conference and festival presentations he provokes our engagement with our native senses as well as with the myriad other lifeforms, and thus with the needs of both our human society and the planet whole. He guides the relatively few and special men who come here for Quests, and provides unique Counsel to anyone of either gender willing to commit to open and then apply.

Off-Site Presentations
Wolf, Kiva Rose and Loba are available for a number of off-site presentations each year, at any conferences, festivals, universities or churches excited to host them. Their talks and circles invariably end up in group hugs and howls, as the participants reclaim their individual clarity, purpose and joy. For a list of upcoming presentations in your area, or to book Wolf, Kiva Rose and Loba for an event you are hosting,  Contact Us.

ROBIN KIBLER is a trained geologist and river restorationist, promised first and foremost to the health and diversity of this sanctuary and the entire San Francisco River watershed it is a part of. She directs our interns when they help with building and restoration projects, and takes responsibility for vehicle maintenance.... inspiring people with her determination and followthrough, and by acting as if there’s nothing a woman can’t do! Robin has made a commitment to be on the land here a good portion of every year, to contribute in every way she can when she is gone, and to hurry back whenever she’s needed most.

RHIANNON greets visitors with the most sincere acceptance and love, but she also has some strong opinions and preferences she’s quick to share. Everyone who comes here ends up effected by her sparkling energy, honesty and delight. She cohosts the Wild Mama’s Weekend, inspiring even much older kids to let down their guard, engage the canyon, express their excitement, exceed and excel. She may continue this work on into adulthood, leave and then one day return, or spend most of her time away once she’s grown... but she will no doubt carry the inspiration and instruction of this place no matter what she ever does.

GLENN HENDERSON is a big hearted Seeker and long-time ally of this Canyon and work. Glenn gave up a well paying but unrewarding career in order to live a life devoted entirely to healing and helping, Spirit and Service. He’s proven absolutely integral to our efforts, initiating and supporting our solar powered satellite communications system, Project outreach, necessities and improvements for the women’s gatherings, and researching and funding efforts to develop a land trust or other means of furthering the protection of this land and its place-based teachings. Glenn pilgrimages to the Sanctuary periodically, and acts as a valuable Project alchemist and agent, instigator and emissary when away.

.

Special thanks go to John Drake, the most dependable guardian angel any land every had. He is truly precious family as well as a partner in our efforts, and without his unflagging support the property would have been lost more than once. Thanks also to our dear helpers and friends including but not limited to Sky & Marian McCain, Scott Adams & Gael Fishel, Nick & Sloane Morgan, Sarah Mace & Roya, Steve & Elle Wilhite. Our gratitude to the people of this County who have welcomed, embraced and often helped us even if they don’t always understand or agree with us.... and to all the interns and apprentices, students and seekers who ever come to give what gifts they have, and take home what we can give.