Later this month in Santa Fe, New Mexico, my friend Cindy Pickard will premiere her new film, Manitou Api – Where the Sun Rises.

Manitou Api is an Anishinabe native way of saying “where Creator sits.” The words  designate one the most sacred places on the land for aboriginal people in North America. It is a point of connection, a key to healing. The new film is woven through with the elemental teachings of our land, and the associated mysteries.

You can learn more about the film on the Manitou Api home page. Be sure the sound is turned up on your computer, so you can hear a native echo of the  call of the land arranged by the legendary Tom Bee.

Two years ago Cindy premiered her film ‘The 8th Fire’ in Santa Fe to a packed house out at the  Institute for American Indian Arts. For the occasion she brought in Dave Courchene, Jr., Larry Dossey, and the Black Eagle drum group from Jemez Pueblo. This premiere of Manitou Api should be equally memorable.

“These 7 laws — love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth — were symbolized and represented by animals, which reflected our connection to nature and our connection to the land. The spirituality of our people is deeply rooted and connected to the land. You cannot live on this land honoring all that there is on the land unless you understand these 7 laws. If we do not understand these 7 laws that we are inspired to live by, then there is a good chance that we will not respect the land and that we will disconnect ourselves from what comes from the land. But if we live by these 7 laws, that is when we will have a truly happy and peaceful life, in harmony with all of nature and each other as the human family.”

– Dave Courchene, Jr.