In collaboration with Harvest of all First Nations (HAFN) and Drylands Agroecology Research (DAR), we are bringing healing treatments as well as reproductive and emotional health education and support to communities in Denver/ Boulder Front Range and Native American Reservations.

It is our intention to support people in our community through the postpartum journey. Healing after birth is a potent and vital part of life. It can bring deep health to the birthing person to be held and honored during this time. We are thankful to be offering the Closing of the Bones Ceremony (Cerrada/Cerrando las Caderas) to our people.

The Cerrada ceremony begins with the birthing person being supported through a Temazcalli, a structure that is heated with fire and creates a sauna. The person is bathed with an herbal bath which supports their spirit in returning to their body. We are currently using a cedar sauna in place of the Temazcalli, with dreams of building one for this purpose in the future! After the herbal bath, we do some abdominal massage, to tend the womb for optimal health and healing. From there we move to the Closing of the Bones. This tends the physical, mental, psychic, and emotional bodies. We close the hips and channels that have opened during birth. We bring fire and sacred instruments and start closing the body by wrapping Rebozos (traditional woven scarves) from the crown down the body to the feet. This regenerates the energy and allows the parent to rest.

We have also begun training the next generation of people that want to support the community in these ways. These Indigenous care teachings have been passed down for generations, and we want to continue that thread to the people that want to support this sacred journey. Our first cohort weaves in Indigenous healers, herbalists, midwives, doulas, and caregivers, organizing to provide ancestral postpartum care, talking circles, and educational outreach.

Cerradas can also be offered at home, and this is the way we continue this work through the winter when the sauna is not available.

We hope to receive additional funds and support to build a traditional Temazcalli, bring elders to share more of these sacred teachings, and to support the community in receiving. The ceremonies run around $300-$500. This covers the cost of herbs, traditional faja/hip support band, wood, food, and time. We hope to have extra funding to support those that want to receive the offering but are unable to pay out of pocket.