Stars & Soil Camp

MAY 21st 2024

Busby, Montana

Details

We will be out on the land all day May 21st and will be testing soils for compaction and looking at overall soil health thanks to IAC-Indian Agriculture Council. We will learn about plants and their uses from an ethnobotanist and talk about traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) carried by tribal members. There will be a sheep grazing and weed control experiment going on and we will end our day listening to local star stories and watching the night sky!

Location

Northern Cheyenne Reservation | Busby, Montana. A large party tent will be onsite at Rosebud Tipi Camp, so you can’t miss us when you drive in!

Cost

Each ticket includes all meals on May 21st + sleeping arrangements.

What to Bring

  • Hot chocolate (dry reservation no alcohol permitted)

  • A bedroll if you are staying in the tipi

  • A lawn chair if you have one

  • A handful of friends

  • Water bottle and notebook

  • Highly suggest downloading the free program StarWalk to your phone or ipad

It’s Montana, layers are encouraged in May!

Agenda

  • Travelers are welcome to arrive anytime after 5 pm!

    Set up your camp(er) or trailer if that’s what you signed up for

    Grab your spot in the tipi! Roll out your bedroll and claim the space for you

    Let’s talk soogans! Old time cowboy gear, some history and fun facts

    Join us in the big tent for visiting and games- cards or lawn games likely are happening or bring a book and a lawn chair!

    Hot chocolate bar with Women In Ranching - bring your favorite add ins

ARRIVAL

  • Breakfast at 8 am

    Introducing yourself to the lands along with an overview of land use, rules and regulations of tribal lands

    Goals for the day are:

    Layers of Land Use for farms and ranches

    Overall assessment of range unit - we will be learning how and doing some fun activities

    Visit weed control experiment and talk about our newest invaders

    Forestry management as one layer of land use - types of trees-diseases-fire

    TEK- Traditional Ecological Knowledge. How did first tribal cowboys transition from gathers/hunters to rancher—this is many of the WIR community!

    Water, creeks, springs and wildlife

    Observation and ethnobotany. - what plants are beneficial, medicinal, edible and what are their uses

    Creative outlets on the land and stress reduction as self care

    Evening Program will center on native star stories, telescopes will be available for our use. *Download Star Walk 2 (free) to use your phone

DAY 01

  • Get up greet the sun, ok maybe not, sleep in - continental breakfast offered and leave at your leisure

DEPARTURE

  • The stars are magnificent at night - we have no light pollution

  • Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous

  • Fun fact: on May 21st the moon is about 400,440.44 km away and the Northern Cheyenne reservation is about 444,000 acres

  • We are in Libra and evidently in the time of four - if you are into numbers that represents our ability to achieve goals, stability, roots and grounding!

  • Four is also significant to many tribes representing not only the four directions but seasons and life cycles

Logistics

The Team

April Martin + Rosebud Tipi Camp

HOSTED BY

Hello ladies!

It is my honor to welcome you to my area of heaven on earth. I really want us to learn about land use, how to assess our pastures or ranges, look at weeds, trees, water and wildlife as we begin to know more about the lands we are charged with caring for!

  • As a Northern Cheyenne rancher and director/effector of the Wild Rose Center, a retreat and community resource center, I believe that Land has the power to heal us. I also believe that Food is medicine and I subscribe to the Native American philosophy that we are all related. I love meeting people who are making change- small ones and big ones and supporting their journey.

Elaine Westbrook | Assistant Professor at MSU Billings

Elaine will be bringing knowledge of stars and astronomy + telescopes to the event!

  • Dr. Elaine Westbrook is an accomplished assistant professor at MSUB (Montana State University Billings), where she shares her passion for astronomy with students. As an affiliate of NASA's Montana Space Grant Consortium, she actively contributes to space-related research and education initiatives.

    Throughout her career, Dr. Westbrook has explored various astronomical observatories across the United States, including the renowned McDonald Observatory in Texas, the Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, and the prestigious SETI Institute in California. These experiences have enriched her understanding of celestial phenomena and expanded her expertise in the field.

    Currently, Dr. Westbrook is engaged in research funded by Humanities Montana, focusing on documenting the Northern Cheyenne Star Stories. This project not only highlights her dedication to astronomical research but also underscores her commitment to cultural preservation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The culmination of her efforts will be the creation of a planetarium video incorporating these indigenous star narratives, providing a unique perspective on astronomy and indigenous knowledge.

    With her extensive celestial knowledge, adept telescoping skills, and contagious enthusiasm for discovery, Dr. Westbrook continues to inspire students and researchers alike, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the universe.

Rachel Lohof Larsen

Photo Credit: Nicole Poyo Brennan

Rachel will be providing land monitoring and grazing knowledge to the event!

  • Rachel is a cowgirl, ecological monitor, and soil health coach. She leads Ecological Outcome Verification for the Mountain West and Great Plains regions for UVE, an independent service provider utilizing holistic decision making. Her most recent project is with the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) . In total she has monitored over 100,000 acres and specializes in grassland ecology. A fifth-generation Montana rancher and member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Rachel has a deeply rooted sense of duty to steward working landscapes. A graduate of Nicole Masters’ Integrity Soils CREATE program, Rachel leads educational training and lectures in soil heath and regenerative land management.

Tickets & Registration

By registering with this ticket, you agree to Women in Ranching's Community Agreements, Liability Waiver, and Photography Waiver.

For further logistical questions or information, please contact

April Martin: 406-592-3729