Blue Deer Center

Blue Deer Center Blue Deer Center is a Sacred place, rooted in nature; offering transformation and healing. We are all children of God. It is not ours to take.

Authentic Wisdom Traditions

About Elders

"The teachings are for all, not just for Indians...The white people never wanted to learn before...Now they have a different understanding, and they do want to learn. The tradition is open to anyone who wants to learn. But who really wants to learn?"

—Don Jose Matsuwa, Huichol, 1989

The Non-Indigenous Connection with Indigenous People
You might be wonde

ring what all these “white folks” are doing teaching at a Center that promotes the honoring and preservation of indigenous traditions. We understand the serious problem of cultural appropriation of indigenous practices, the theft of traditions that are not our own, for personal possession or to place feathers in our caps. As you will see from the stories of our elders and teachers, our work within a culture that lives mostly outside indigenous traditions follows a respectful approach to indigenous wisdom. We can request the sharing of that wisdom, but we must be prepared to hear and accept, “No” if an elder does not wish to share. We can ask to receive teachings, but we must be prepared to fulfill conditions of acceptance in exchange for those teachings. Many indigenous elders envision a reconnection with our non-traditional culture as a crucial step toward the survival of humanity in the world. They find themselves between two different worlds, with one foot in their indigenous homelands and the other in our western consumer culture. From this place, they have the advantage of being able to impart traditional wisdom to our non-traditional culture, and perhaps change our present course. Malidoma Somé, for example, was declared by his ancestors before birth to serve as just such a “bridge”. Others amongst our teachers, like Eliot Cowan (read a recent interview in Indian Country Today and a letter to the Huichol people in Sacred Fire Magazine) and Colin Campbell, were “called” into their work by the traditions they now practice. The creation of programs at the Blue Deer Center follows strict criteria in determining both the authenticity of the work to be offered, as well as the ongoing relationships the teachers maintain with their traditions. Only in this way, in complete respect and humility to the ancestral lineages of wisdom keepers, can we grow together in this work.

Transformation in Action!Here you can see the incredible transformation taking place at the barn. Monday through Thursda...
09/03/2026

Transformation in Action!
Here you can see the incredible transformation taking place at the barn. Monday through Thursday, our crew was hard at work carefully deconstructing, salvaging, and preparing the structure for the next chapter of the barn.
Piece by piece, the old gives way to the new—while honoring and preserving what can be carried forward.
This is transformation in action.
And the story is just beginning…
Stay tuned for what comes next!
https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/barn-demo-2

Things are coming down today… So the Pavilion Can Go Up 🔥 - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/things-are-coming-down-today-so-...
08/31/2026

Things are coming down today… So the Pavilion Can Go Up 🔥 - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/things-are-coming-down-today-so-the-pavilion-can-go-up
Contractor Leroy, his wife and baby, along with the crew from Hoover Demolition, arrived yesterday. This morning, the careful work of deconstructing a portion of the old barn began.
Thimo, our new Center Director, is there, along with Jackson from the Timber Framers Guild and Anthony from Sterling Custom Builders. Together, they are planning how the reclaimed wood will be given new life.
https://bluedeer.org/donate

Three trees needed to come down to make way for the Fire Pavilion. One of the trees was found to be already dead, and al...
08/17/2026

Three trees needed to come down to make way for the Fire Pavilion. One of the trees was found to be already dead, and all three had become a potential safety concern for the future Pavilion.

This week, J. DiMenna, our summer site manager, made offerings of to***co in gratitude for the trees and for their long lives on this sacred land. We honor what they have given and the role they played in this place. Their presence will continue as wood for the Fire in the new Fire Pavilion for years to come.

Watch the videos to see the work unfolding!

We will keep bringing you the news as the Fire Pavilion takes shape. There is so much more to come!

This is a community endeavor, and it needs your support. Please make a gift today.

See donation link in our bio!

Three trees needed to come down to make way for the Fire Pavilion. ...

For the sake of the Fire Pavilion… Real Hot News! 🔥 - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/fire-pavilion-5Three trees needed to c...
08/16/2026

For the sake of the Fire Pavilion… Real Hot News! 🔥 - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/fire-pavilion-5
Three trees needed to come down to make way for the Fire Pavilion. One of the trees was found to be already dead, and all three had become a potential safety concern for the future Pavilion.

We made offerings of to***co in gratitude for the trees, for their long lives on this sacred land, to honor what they have given and the role they played in this place. Their presence will continue as wood for the Fire in the new Fire Pavilion.

https://www.bluedeer.org/donate

Join us for Fire Speaks CeremonySaturday, July 25, 2026Integration Fire on Sunday, July 26“But the thing is that in brin...
06/23/2026

Join us for Fire Speaks Ceremony
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Integration Fire on Sunday, July 26

“But the thing is that in bringing people back to the fire, that’s the element, the force, the event! Coming back to Me in this simple setting touches something deep inside of you and it takes more than 15 minutes to remove it. I’m talking of something special, like spiritual DNA” page #31 from “Heard Around the Fire"

https://www.bluedeer.org/program/fire-speaks

Address

1155 County Highway 6
Margaretville, NY
12455

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+18455863225

Website

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