ABOUT
Thunderbird Ranch is an 83 acre organic farm located at 7,000 ft elevation along Cherry Creek Road between Durango and Mancos, CO. This sacred land was purchased by Debby and Gary Fourstar in 2000 as a result of a vision Gary received while on a fast. By combining knowledge of indigenous tradition through ancient teachings with innovative permaculture techniques and sustainable living practices, Thunderbird Ranch strives to be a model and learning center for your own personal earth-based living dreams. Through hosting workshops, conferences, and ceremonies, we hope to grow a stronger community network in the Four Corners area and provide many opportunities for connection and healing.
We are a family of folks working together to live in close relationship with land, ourselves and each other. We currently spend our time raising and milking a goat herd, riding and grooming horses, growing hemp, and tending to diversified, organic vegetable fields, Huegel beds, and geodesic dome. We strive to hold sweat lodge ceremonies once a month on the land, and have community potlucks and music jam sessions often. We have also hosted many WOOFERs over the years who have been instrumental in constructing buildings, tending to fields, and completing various farm projects. Currently, we have about fifteen fabulous residents living in various off-grid yurts, cabins, and other structures on the property.
We are grateful for all that we have!
We are grateful for all that we have!
ORIGINS OF NAME "THUNDERBIRD"
In the early 1990’s, Gary FourStar was a part of a drum group in California which went around and did ceremony and participated with the Ohlone Chumash people of which he was a part. When he moved to Georgia, Gene Albitre was invited by a group of people studying with Gary to a drum making class where Gene helped them build the first Many Horses Foundation drum. It was small, portable and easy to carry to ceremonies around the country where MHF drum was invited. They performed at Animal Spirit Dances, Native American festivals, at the CDC, at public schools, at Whole Life Expo, Bioneers and wherever they were asked to do their ceremonial songs. The drummers were from all parts of the country; Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. In 2008, the Many Horses Foundation sponsored and organized the Walk for the Water in Georgia, and that is when the drum took on the name of the Thunderbird Metis Drum of the Thunderbird Nation, a direct result of Buster FourStar’s (Gary Fourstar's father) vision. The songs of the thunderbird metis drum are sacred, because the significance we give them is sacred. The head person on this drum is Gary FourStar but the lead singer is dependent on which song is being sung as the drum is a collaborative effort.