Lakota Benedictine Experience – June 14-19, 2009

Borderlands Education and Spiritual Center

Hill City, South Dakota

The Lakota Benedictine Experience is June 14 – 19, 2009, at Borderlands Education and Spiritual Center at Borderlands Ranch, 23120 South Rochford Road, Hill City, South Dakota, in the heart of the Black Hills.

The Experience is led by The Rev. Dr. Martin Brokenleg, OSBCn, Director of Native Ministries Programme, Vancouver School of Theology in British Columbia. Fr. Martin is the Superior of the Community of St. Michael, a community of Benedictine Canons based at St. James’ Anglican Church in Vancouver, BC. For 30 years he was Professor of Native American Studies, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD. He is an oblate of Blue Cloud Abbey of South Dakota.

Building on previous Lakota Benedictine Experiences, Fr. Martin offers his warm and engaging style to those exploring commonalities and differences of two distinct and encompassing spiritualities that encourage balance in daily life. Fr. Martin will bring together these two very diverse but communal spiritual traditions of stability in place and examine them through the lens of sacred space, worship, study, and work. Ordained since 1971, a pipe carrier, and head of his family of the Sicangu Lakota people, Fr. Martin will address common but differing perspectives on kinship and community, spiritual practices and reverence for the land. Attendance at a Lakota Sun Dance is a part of The Experience.

Ancient Lakota culture assumes a primacy of spiritual tradition and practice. Benedictine tradition exists in writing much longer than Lakota tradition and may appear to be older. Both spiritual traditions include spiritual practices and perspectives that support one another and mirror one another. The Lakota Benedictine Experience will include exploring these two traditions in worship, discussion sessions, film and daily spiritual practice. We follow the Benedictine rhythm of daily prayer and some time for work as well as silence and personal time.

Participants may arrive on Sunday, June 14, after lunch. You may spend the afternoon hiking the fields, walking the labyrinth, or reading on the deck. The Experience begins with Vespers at 5:30 followed by supper. The atmosphere of the Experience will be relaxed and informal. Good walking shoes, a sun hat and sun block, sunglasses and a water bottle are musts! The ranch is located at 6000 ft. altitude so dress in layers to be warm at 40 degrees and cool at 90 degrees. The Experience will close after worship and brunch and our final session on Friday June 19.

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Tuition is $525; shared lodging and meals for the duration of the Experience at the ranch are $450. Hotels are available one half hour away in Hill City. (www.hillcitysd.com) Participants will fly into Rapid City Regional Airport on United, Northwest or Delta. Rental cars are available at the airport. Shuttle service is $35 one way.

20% discount on tuition for 2 or more registering together prior to March 31, 2009.

10% discount on tuition for 2 or more registering together after March 31, 2009.

10% discount on tuition for those who support Borderlands financially or with in kind service.

10% discount on tuition to former event participants. Only one discount may apply.

Some scholarship funds are available. Please inquire.

Register by mailing a check or money order for $100 deposit to Borderlands, 23120 S. Rochford Road, Hill City, SD 57745. Deposit is nonrefundable after May 15. Please contact 605.574.4746 or lindajkramer@earthlink.net for more information.

Click Here for printable registration form.