Grandfather Tobacco: The Sacred Medicine

This workshop invites you to reconnect with the ancient teachings of tobacco, tapping into its transformative energy to bring light into your own life.

We will delve into the ancient wisdom of grandfather tobacco, a powerful plant medicine gifted to us at the dawn of creation. Revered across many Indigenous cultures, tobacco is seen as a sacred healer, capable of dispelling darkness from the mind, body, and spirit. From its very inception, tobacco's purpose has been to bring light where there is shadow—restoring balance and harmony to all living things, from humans to animals, to the waters that sustain us. 

Through ceremony, storytelling, and deep reflection, we will explore how to honor grandfather tobacco as a source of guidance and spiritual protection. Participants will learn how this sacred plant medicine can be used with respect, reverence, and intention to cleanse, heal, and illuminate the path ahead. 

David Villanueva is a descendant of the Nahuatl people from the Maya Nation, born in war-torn El Salvador. His Nahuatl name, Citlayaotl, means "the one who walks amongst the stars." Inspired by his early life experiences, David became deeply involved in human rights, ecology, and indigenous spiritual practices. He travels extensively throughout North America, working with indigenous communities, sharing wisdom, and facilitating healing ceremonies. Guided by the teachings of elders, David strives to create alliances, raise awareness, and bridge the gap between traditional ways and the modern world. His devotion to Tonantzin, the Earth Mother, and his work with ceremonies like the Sundance and medicinal plants fuels his commitment to building a compassionate future for generations to come.

Flavio Santi Vargas is a traditional healer from the Amazonian Kichwa and Shuar communities of Puyo, Pastaza. Since 1997, he has worked to forge alliances between Indigenous peoples from the north and south, uniting the spirits of the eagle, condor, and anaconda for a new generation. For over 40 years, Flavio has focused on the recovery of ancestral lands for his Ayuy Yu community in Puyo. His efforts also contribute to the Wayusa School, a project dedicated to fostering interregional and international exchanges rooted in ancestral wisdom, with a focus on the relationship with the land and spiritual independence.

Morning Tea and Lunch provided

Host or Publisher Indigenous Impact Ltd