Lessons in Resilience: Indigenous Communities & Culture of the American Southwest
Global Leader in Socially Conscious Travel.
Explore the unique and diverse indigenous communities and cultures of the American Southwest from multiple perspectives.
For available tour dates click below or download the itinerary:
This tour is by private departure only. Gather a group of friends, family, or community. Prices start at 2 or more travelers. The itinerary, included and excluded sections below are for one sample program. We can offer that exact program or customize anything you can dream of!
Contact us to learn more!
*Prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Single room supplements are available
Meet with a representative of one of the local pueblos at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for an introduction to the history and culture of the nineteen pueblos of New Mexico.
Sit down with a member of the Zuni tribe for a discussion about the culture and traditions that are deeply rooted to the topographical features and natural resources of their ancient homeland.
Visit a Zuni craft cooperative for a pottery demonstration.
Meet with members of the Zuni tribal council and learn about the tribe’s clan system, ceremonial groups, and modern-day legal processes put in place to protect and preserve their culture.
Tour a local farm and learn about the controversy between the United States government and the Zuni farmers, and the governmental policies and regulations that have resulted in the degradation and loss of natural resources for farming.
Meet with an organization working to revitalize sustainable Zuni farming, based on traditional values and knowledge, combined with modern technology.
Visit the Navajo National Museum for a private tour with a curator, and explore the extensive holdings of art, ethnographic, archaeological, and archival materials that depict the complex and colorful history of the Diné people.
Stroll through the Chihootso Marketplace and Flea Market and sample local delicacies.
Meet with a representative from Northern Arizona University’s Chinley Chapter to learn about the joint agreement for cooperative stewardship of Canyon de Chelly, facilitated by the university between the Navajo Nation, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in which all three entities work together to manage the park and preserve its cultural, economic, and historic significance.
Set off on an exploration of Canyon de Chelly National Monument by jeep with an experienced local Navajo guide. Learn about the canyon’s rich history, see rock art and other unique archaeological sites, hear first-hand stories of life in the canyon, and visit a local family still living a traditional Navajo lifestyle in this rural part of the southwest.
Stay overnight with a local Diné family in Canyon de Chelly.
Meet with a representative from the Navajo Area Indian Health Service and learn about systemic economic and health struggles.
Tour the Acoma Pueblo with a local youth and hear about the rich history, culture, and daily life of Acoma.
Meet with an elder in Santa Clara who has brought to light the impacts of Los Alamos National Labs on her tribe’s land and waters and view the private ceremonial house she’s building on her land.
Over dinner prepared by an award-winning Diné chef, hear from an artist and activist who is promoting the cultivation and consumption of a pre-colonial diet.
Tour the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology and learn about their efforts to further education and inclusion.
Meet with a representative at the Indigenous Language Institute in Santa Fe, and hear how the organization strives to empower native communities to learn and share their original languages and provides language related services to ensure their individual identities, traditional wisdom, and values are passed onto future generations through language
9 nights’ accommodation as per itinerary or similar
1 expert Navajo guide + 1 local tour manager throughout
Private bus transportation
Meals as per itinerary
Entrances, sites, and honorariums for speakers
US-based customer service representatives
9 nights’ accommodation as per itinerary or similar
1 expert Navajo guide + 1 local tour manager throughout
Private bus transportation
Meals as per itinerary
Entrances, sites, and honorariums for speakers
US-based customer service representatives
Per Person
$4,950
Interested but not ready to deposit? Click the “Request Info” we can keep you updated on the tour status.
Airfare
Travel Insurance-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Single Supplement
Airport Transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Gratuities
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the included section
All the trips we take are educational and geared towards cultural immersion, and that’s true of MEJDI. But none are so first hand and intentionally personal as the MEJDI tour guides are.
You come away hopeful because the tour guides can have such different backgrounds and experiences and opinions and still respect each other, And, they introduce you to groups that are working to spread that throughout the world.
Kim
Happy Customer
Read through the Terms and Conditions
Do not book your flight until you receive the tour confirmation email from us. This tour requires a minimum number of travelers to run and we will send out the tour confirmation (and update this note on the webpage) as soon as we have met that number.
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Some plans and policies [Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) or coverage for pre-existing conditions] may only available for a limited time (approximately 2 weeks) following your date of deposit.
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