Cultural Talk and Q&A with Thunder Bear Yates

EQUUS Herd Encounter with Thunder Bear

Native Ceremonial Dances

Images: Laura Cockfield, Andy Brophy

EQUUS is honored to be a space to host events by the local community. These events include, but are not limited to, ceremonial dances and culture talks. These events are available to book for private groups, or are sometimes held open to the public. To set up a private event, reach out below. To see any upcoming public events, check out our events page.

Ceremonial Dances

Image: Laura Cockfield

Nineteen pueblos line the Rio Grande — from Isleta south of Albuquerque up to the Taos Pueblo in the North. For the Pueblo people, Ceremonial Dances are a key expression of their tradition and faith. The ‘social’ dances are offered to the public to share their good will and blessings. But since Covid and the continued closure of the Pueblos, the dancers have not been able to share this exquisite tradition, to their great disappointment.

However, EQUUS and The Cottonwood Dancers from Tesuque Pueblo have united to bring these special dances to private groups. Their Buffalo and Deer Dances honor the spirit of these sacred animals, the seasons, and the land. Thunder Bear Yates, a Buffalo Dancer, is a member of two sister Pueblos– Tesuque and Nambe. Yates, also a member of ‘The Winter People’ of the Nambe Pueblo, gives a brief cultural talk after the dances, including a Q&A.

Cultural Talk and Q&A

Image: Laura Cockfield

Join Thunder Bear Yates, a dual member of the Tesuque and Nambe Pueblos and wisdom-keeper for his people in a talk and discussion about his culture and spirituality. Learn about the unique history and cosmology of the indigenous Northern New Mexico peoples. Thunder Bear holds a safe, judgement free space for meaningful question and answer afterwards.

EQUUS Horse Herd Encounter with Thunder Bear

Inquire below to learn more about our cultural education programs

Image: Mark Woodward

The horse has been an ancient wisdom-companion for the Traditional Peoples of North America for thousands of years. Meet Thunder Bear Yates, a member of the Tesuque and Nambé Pueblos, and the Cultural Educator for EQUUS (a Rancho Encantado Four Seasons partner located adjacent the resort), for a one-hour encounter with the EQUUS horse herd. Thunder Bear will share information about his tradition and his people's unique relationship to nature, and specifically the horse. Insightful, impactful and inspiring.