Projects of Gaya !

Obsidian Butterfly "Living Earth Teaching Center"

Obsidian Butterfly - Artist Siri Martinez

GAYA is developing the Obsidian Butterfly, an "International Living Earth Teaching Center" in Taos, New Mexico.

The mission of the Obsidian Butterfly is to create a land based center where youth of diverse backgrounds can gather to reconnect with the Earth through ceremony, cultural and artistic expression, celebration, leadership discovery and empowerment. Through a living experience of sustainability from the inside out youth are given the skills and tools, and supported to create a sustainable vision for themselves and the world. Through this process they are nurtured to cultivate their individual expressions as they discover their strengths and gifts to humanity. Unique and dynamic in its approach, the Obsidian Butterfly will be designed, built, and managed by youth with the guidance of adult mentors for extended programs using green technology and practices.

The Obsidian Butterfly will be a powerful magnet for a diversity of youth within the Taos community, including a strong outreach to the regional pueblos. Yet, for youth that are interested in more in-depth involvement and extensive leadership training and opportunities, the center will also be developed as a global hub for international events, conferences, and extended programs that connect youth and communities around the world addressing common and individual concerns in areas, such as peace and global conflict, environmental destruction, loss of biodiversity, youth employment, and the preservation of Indigenous cultures.

The Obsidian Butterfly will empower and support youth in seeking solutions, carrying out shortrange and long range plans, developing and marketing new technologies in sustainable practices, and providing assistance in needed resources. Another means in accomplishing the above goals is through a strong media avenue that GAYA is developing that will assist youth in their voices, their views and their solutions being heard throughout the world. We will use such mediums as the creation of documentaries, videos, and musical events, and the organization of regional and world conferences and summits as well as the use of other forms of mainstream and alternative media. GAYA and its extensive network of international and community partners will support youth in more fully participating in the co-creation of our global society and in making positive contributions to the Earth.

Programs of Obsidian Butterfly

• Adventure/Challenge
• Wilderness Quest
• Horse Program
• Ropes Course
• Artistic Expression
• Metaxu - The voice of GAYA
• Recording Studio
• Circle of Fire and Amphitheater
• Cultural Programs
• Environmental/
  Sustainable
• Earth Restoration Corps
• The Green Wave - A Youth Gateway
  to the Restoration Era (A Project of ERC)
• Youth Leaders in Action Action/YLA

• Tamoanchan Project