 |
Fred Nason, Tom Little Bear Nason's father, once
owned large areas of land, as his ancestors did. Their Esselen heritage has been traced
back to the original Esselen Tribe.
"Fred Nason" © 1998 Helene Constant |
|
Fred Nason, Tom Little Bear Nason's father, once
owned large areas of land, as his ancestors did. Their Esselen heritage has been traced
back to the original Esselen Tribe.
"Fred Nason" © 1998 Helene Constant |
This land has been the home to the Nason family for many generations. Our tradition as
wilderness guides began in the late 1800s when our Grandfather started bringing guests
into the Santa Lucia Mountains by horseback.
Our ancestry is also rooted in the Native American people of this region, the Esselen
Tribe. The Esselen were the first inhabitants of the Santa Lucia Mountains, a people with
a deep reverence for the spirit of this land. Mountain peaks and moss covered canyons
await you in this tranquil paradise deep in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. Ride on
horseback or hike on old Indian trails that lead you into Tassajara Valley and on to
virgin forests of pines, oaks, and firs, through open valleys and along rivers with
cascading waterfalls and natural hot springs. Our days end at camps which have been used
by our ancestors for countless generations, located in secluded places along the way, and
are totally surrounded by the beauty and abundance of Mother Earth.
As your guides to this enchanted land, we will share first hand knowledge of the culture
of local Native Americans as you visit ancient ceremonial areas, village sites, and
pictographs hidden among the sandstone boulders and caves. We will share stories, songs,
and drumming around the campfire; we will camp beneath the moon and stars and listen to
the stillness of the wilderness.
Tom "Little Bear" Nason is a 7th generation documented decedent of the Esselen
Tribe of Monterey County. Little Bear was chosen at the age of 8 to be the carrier of his
ancestors prophecy of the coming together of the four root races (Red, Yellow, Black and
White) here at the "Western Gate"--Big Sur and the Ventana Wilderness. Since his
childhood, Little Bear has worked extensively on the task laid out before him. He has been
bringing spiritual leaders from many religions and races together for ceremonies, retreats
, conferences, seminars, and lectures throughout the Americas. Little Bear is also a
wilderness guide, wrangler, storyteller, singer, drummer and flutist.
Grandpa Fred "Mujai" Nason Grandpa, as everyone knows him, is a legend in his
own time. Having lived for over 70 years in the Ventana Wilderness as a traditional
Esselen Indian, his knowledge and love of this land runs as deep as the cracks in the
earth. Grandpa started guiding people into the Ventana Wilderness as a young boy, with his
father, who started the Ventana Wilderness Expeditions as early as 1910. Grandpa Fred is
full of life and brimming with stories of the old days, and joins us on many of our
programs.
