ANA@Tatooine Ranch

“The elders told us to go to school and learn the white man’s ways so we could be the eyes. We are put on the Earth to keep the bad things out. So that is what we did as young people, we went to school. Some young people could not separate what they need from what they want. They have problems like the influence of gangs, of alcohol, of drugs. They see it, they feel it, the want it, they bring it onto the reservation. They can lose track of what we offered as a culture. And so reservations – not just Hopi but all native peoples – have the highest dropout rate in the US, the highest suicide rate, the highest alcoholism rate; those are all on reservations."  Duane Mapatis, Hopi

THE PROGRAM

Our rescue and renewal program is for anyone committed to changing their lives; we especially encourage Native Americans to apply.  All residents must be interviewed by our staff before acceptance.  

Our program includes room and board, full-time supervision, daily resident talking circles, weekly individual therapy sessions and weekly outside AA, Alanon or NA meetings.  We have regular visits from Native speakers, and residents and staff all live together as a single family.  

We are located in the high desert on a 70 acre ranch and
our work program is based on managing plants and water using the methods of permaculture.  We are always working on feeding the soil, feeding ourselves, and feeding others.  Good food  - growing and preparing it - is a big part of the healing process here.

Our program has three stages and can be completed in six months to one year.  Resident privileges and responsibilities increase with each stage.  We offer job training in all stages.  There are never more than 8 persons in the first stage.  

In the second stage residents become ranch interns, receive intensive help with résumé preparation and interview skills, and must seek employment in the surrounding area.  In the third stage the resident may work outside the house and may also live outside the house on the ranch.  Once you live here you will always be part of our family.  We offer experienced, professional follow-up for as long as necessary to insure job retention and life success. 

Two important things you will learn here is that you are never alone, and that when you work in a team there is nothing you can not do.