Grandmother Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance

Unci means grandmother in Lakota. Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance is Oglala Lakota, she was born in the SW corner of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. She still lives on the land that was allotted to her great grandparents over 100 years ago. Unci Rita cherishes and advocates her traditional Lakota ways and language which she speaks fluently. Unci Rita is empathetic to single parents and their struggles to raise their children, because she herself was a single parent raising her children (and five of her oldest grandchildren) on her own. Unci Rita is skilled in survival knowing how to dry food and make clothing traditional Lakota style or contemporary wear. Today Unci Rita is a grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Unci Rita feels that being part of the grandmothers council feels like family, like blood relation, like the other grandmothers feel like her sisters. Unci Rita said the most important job the grandmothers council has is to keep all the people in a straight line, "no matter what denomination or color they are".

Upcoming Programs by Grandmother Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance

“My favorite retreat center in the East coast. A real abode of the Dharma.”

Nitzan Blouin

“Fabulous front desk and unbelievably good staff. The best!”

Somnath Choudhuri

“Loved Menla and all the experiences they offer… I attended morning yoga with different instructors who were excellent and fully over indulged with the veggie buffet with gluten-free and vegan options. Many fresh greens from the organic on-site garden. Delicious!”

Robert B.

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