Healing Our Warriors: A Sacred Journey with Indigenous Elder

Healing Our Warriors: A Sacred Journey with Indigenous Elders

What if healing from war didn’t mean more pills and silence—but ceremony, song, and sacred medicine?

This June, ten U.S. veterans will cross the border into Sonora, Mexico—not for vacation, but for transformation. They’ll enter the fire of healing, supported by indigenous elders, spiritual medicine carriers, and fellow warriors. They’ll sit in ceremony with the sacred Bufo toad, shed the weight of trauma in sweat lodges, and receive medicine not just for the body, but for the soul. This is not a tourist retreat. It’s not for profit. This is about returning home to self—with the blessing of the Seri Comcaac people, and the guidance of those who walk the healing path.

We’re raising $17,000 to fully fund this life-saving retreat for 10 veterans. Every dollar helps cover travel, medicine ceremonies, integration support, and a powerful documentary that will tell their stories to the world.

When & Where

June 24 – July 2, 2025

Sonora, Mexico

A collaborative retreat led by ceremonial guide Mike Manion, supported by a trusted facilitation team and Seri Comcaac elders in Desemboque.

What Makes This Retreat Unique

Sacred Medicine Ceremonies: Veterans will work with Bufo, Kambo, Changa, and traditional sweat lodges, guided by trusted indigenous medicine carriers.

Cultural Reciprocity: Hosted in partnership with the Seri Comcaac people, this retreat is rooted in respect, not extraction. Veterans give back through community celebration and support.

Veteran-Focused Healing: Participants are held in a container of care by experienced facilitators with a deep understanding of combat trauma and the spiritual journey of returning home.

Documentary Film: A professional film team will follow the journey—from departure in Tucson to the final ceremony—amplifying these powerful stories to inspire others and build future support.

Your Donation Helps Fund

Full retreat tuition for 10 veterans

Transportation and lodging

Medicine preparation and ceremonies

Integration and music therapy

Documentary filming and distribution

Direct support for the Seri Comcaac community

Fundraising Goal: $17,000

This amount covers full scholarships and associated costs at a reduced rate made possible by in-kind contributions and grant support. Any additional funds will support long-term partnerships and future retreats through AWA.

Why It Matters

Veterans carry wounds that Western medicine often can’t reach. Sacred plant and animal medicines, when approached with humility and respect, offer a path toward release, rebirth, and reconnection. This retreat isn’t just about individual healing—it’s about restoring community, honoring indigenous wisdom, and rewriting the story of what comes after war.

Help us send our warriors on a journey of healing, remembrance, and reconnection.

Every donation makes a difference. Every share spreads the word. Every dollar tells a veteran: you are not forgotten.