Category Archives: Sundance ceremony

Sundance ceremony, Sweat Lodge

SUNDANCE 2026

Greetings Sundance family,

SunDance 2026 February 15th – 23rd

The last cycle, 4 / 4 of this round of dances seeded in 2022, sprouted in 2023, will reach full bloom on Sunday – 22.2.26

Dancer purification: February 15th-18th. Tree Day 18th . Dance 19th – 22nd February 2026

Communal tidy up: Monday 23rd February 2026.

All Welcome.

Vision Quest: dates, location & contacts – to follow.

Where: 232 Blue Spur road, Hokitika, West Coast , South Island,

note: Pet lovers: please make arrangements, as dance site is not suitable for pets.

Sundance ceremony

Sundance in Aotearoa

In Aotearoa / New Zealand, the journey of the Sundance ceremony began with a visit from Patrick Hendrickson (aka Chief White Cloud or Patrick Aynewausch in the summer of 1999/2000..  Although people from Aotearoa had attended the Sundance held in Hornby Island in 1999 , this was the first opportunity for a wider group of people to meet Patrick Hendrickson and participate in Inipi purification lodges.

During this first visit, Patrick Hendrickson spent time traveling Aotearoa and speaking with Tangata Whenua and others about his journey and vision.  The first Sundance was run by Patrick Hendrickson in the summer of  2001/2002

View the clip below to learn more about the purpose & meaning that brought this ceremony to Aotearoa.. (image Patrick Aynewausch )

Patrick Aynewausch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQm2YcbnLg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQm2YcbnLg
Sundance ceremony

Vision Quest

When a person has a calling or is interested in participating in a SunDance as a SunDancer they must Quest before.

Questing involves sitting by yourself for four days, calling to Creation, Great Spirit for your vision or asking for a solution and guidance to a problem or question. A Quester is fasting with no food or water during these four days.

They sit in a circle of 405 prayer ties on a continuance string 100 Yellow, 100 Black, 100 Red, 100 White and 5 Purple. These should be done and prepared before your arrival.

On the 1st Day of Vision Quest, we do Inip Ceremony one round before taking you to your Vision Quest site. In your circle of prayer ties, you may have only what you can carry. Which pretty much means something to sleep in, your pipe or tobacco for praying, your prayer ties, sunblock, tarp, survival blanket and insect repellent.

The suggestion made to arrive early is so you can choose and clear your Vision Quest Site, prepare and slow down.

Vision Quest DATES will be added nearer to Dance commencement, please ensure your email address is added to receive notifications.