DANCE OF THE DEER CENTER FOR SHAMANIC STUDIES

Established in 1979 byBrant Secunda, grandson of the MexicanHuichol(Wixáritari) shaman Don José Matsuwa, with the mission “to preserve the Huichol culture and its shamanic practices and traditions.” The center supports Secunda’s program of teaching Huichol shamanism throughout the world, including pilgrimages,visionquests, and conferences, in order to “reunite people to the source of all life in order to helphealthe earth, our communities, and ourselves.” While there is a distinctNew Ageflavor to this discourse and the termvision questis not indigenous to the Huichol, all financial profits go directly to the Huichol (although it is not stated to what extent Secunda and Don José’s family may personally benefit).