Kickstarter

WHAT AN AMAZING STORY  WE HAVE IN OUR HANDS!! ... and we launched a 20-day funding campaign to get everyone on board.

THIS IS TRULY A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to document a journey that may never happen again!! ... and you can be part of it with your input, your backing, and even coming with us on the road if you are up for it!

Wolf Connection's pack of Ambassadors has been invited to participate in a sacred gathering … The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers is holding their 11th Council Gathering in Lame Deer, Montana at the end of July. This special event is the culmination of The Ride Home, a nearly 1,400 mile horseback ride in Remembrance of the Cheyenne Exodus of 1878.

“The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers represents a global alliance of prayer, education and healing for the Earth, all Her inhabitants, all the children and for the next seven generations to come. They bring together a wealth of sacred wisdom from world-wide traditions that honors intuition and spirit in a way that is often absent from daily life. The purpose of the Ride and Council is generational healing and a uniting between tribes to become one tribe – of humankind.” 

Both the grandmothers and event organizers felt that Wolf Medicine and the long history of connection between wolf and man needed to be part of this gathering. We are honored that they felt that our human and wolf pack is a worthy representative of this unique bond. 

On the week of July 16th, staff, backing guests, and three members of our pack will be journeying to meet the horse riders in South Dakota and travel the last 110 miles of The Ride Home in order to arrive at Lame Deer, Montana together and participate in the Council with the Grandmothers. 

Now, n order to get there, we have to drive through several wolf-hunting states which will make journey unpredictable and the film all the more interesting.

As you can imagine, this is a huge logistic undertaking! ... BUT with your super cool backing we are going to document every aspect of the journey in a film that will preserve the this amazing experience so it can be passed on.

THE JOURNEY: 

THE FILM:

This documentary will send a powerful global message on our often-forgoten kindship and deep bond with animals in general and wolves in particular, and their key role in our survival on this planet AND on the importance of traditional ritual and ceremony as a way to unite humanity.

IT WILL INCLUDE:

* BEFORE: Training of the animals, preparation of the vehicles, film pre-production, and logistics planning

* DURING: The trip to and from Montana through wolf-hunting territory with all the unexpected situations that can create. The encounter with the horse riders and the united journey to meet the Grandmothers. The meeting with the 13 Grandmothers and wolf blessing.

* AFTER: Journey back to California, conclusion and learnings, post production.

LOGISTICS: 

There are many elements that need to be considered in a trip like this: 

* The first challenge is the management of the animals which requires great knowledge and a deep bond and connection with them. We are transporting 85-130 lb highly active animals in small travelling cages next to each other (travelling, feeding, and sleeping). This means they must have breaks every 2-3 hours to relieve themselves and exercise to prevent them from accumulating anxiety that could be vented on each other or the handlers. Each time we get them out of the cage we run the risk of them not wanting to go back in. Oh Well :/

* We are crossing several states where wolves are being hunted and people may have a less-than-friendly attitude towards them. This makes it challenging to find safe places to stop for provisions and spend the night. This must be mapped in advance with options for camping grounds and RV parks along the way. That’s the reason we will be using a travelling trailer with a full bathroom and kitchen which will give us the much-needed independence. 

* We cannot run the risk of mechanical difficulties that would leave us stranded with a pack of wolves in unfriendly territory, so both the pulling truck and the trailer must be in excellent operating condition. 

* Last, but not least, a trip like this will be physically and mentally demanding on the crew. We must make sure that we have all the supplies and resources needed for a minimal level of comfort and replenishment.

* The film crew will be traveling in a separate vehicle to have the independence needed to shoot the caravan on the road, leaving from and arriving to places.

THE CAST: 
Teo Alfero, Founder and director of Wolf Connection will make the trip accompanied by some of the most seasoned staff members and animals …

 Meet the Montana Journey CAST AND CREW. 

Renee & Miko 
Renee has shown a wisdom and love of all creatures since she was very young. Her ability to connect and read animals is a profound gift that enables her to effectively handle and train them, recognizing their limitations and expanding their abilities to be comfortable and perform in programs. She has used these gifts to enable Miko to become a secure animal who can connect to strangers effortlessly. 
Miko came to us from private owners and the Wolf Connection environment was extremely challenging for her initially. She came from a very protected environment in which she rarely interacted with humans and never interacted with other canids, aside from her kennel-mate Cloud. At first, she was quite stressed when we had public events, pacing or hiding at the back of her kennel. Over time she has become more and more comfortable and now loves to go hiking with strangers and getting patted, rubbed and scratched by new people. 

Wes & Maya 
Wes felt a deep bond with wolves long before he ever came to Wolf Connection, and has shown a kinship with the natural world. His calm and sensitive nature enables him to remain grounded and handle the animals even in challenging situations. One of his gifts is that animals that are otherwise afraid of males are often comfortable with him. Such is the case with Maya who learned to be comfortable with males, partially through Wes’ spending time with her. 
Maya has a history that led her to become extremely skittish and timid with all humans, especially with males. The love, care and training she has received in the Wolf Connection pack has taught her to be comfortable and secure with strangers. She has become one of our primary program animals and has been able to connect to new people in a variety of situations, remaining loving and comfortable. 

Natasha & Willow 

Natasha has worked with a variety of exotic animals since childhood, but developed a special love for the wolf during a trip to Yellowstone. She came back from the trip knowing that she needed to work with wolves. As often happens, when the time was right, she found her way to Wolf Connection. More than 2 years later she has developed deep bonds with the animals, enriching her life and deepening her connection to the earth in profound ways. The first time she laid eyes on Willow she knew that she had met the wolf of her heart.
Willow is a 2-year-old beauty who came from a very loving home. Unfortunately, her owner was unable to keep her as a result of economic difficulties. Playful, loving and with an earth wisdom present in her golden eyes, Willow is becoming comfortable with new people and situations as she takes her place in our pack.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US MAKE THIS JOURNEY POSSIBLE!!