Lineage of the Deer Tribe
Metis Medicine Society

The Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society was founded in 1986 by Harley SwiftDeer for the purpose of gathering, translating and teaching the Wheels and Keys of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path of Turtle Island. Mandated and guided by the Twisted Hairs Metis Medicine Society Council of Elders, the Deer Tribe also provides training and guidance for apprentices working the "gateway" process of personal growth and spiritual awakening in this Path.

SwiftDeer and the Deer Tribe are modern day representatives of an ancient lineage of sacred knowledge of universal laws, ceremonial alchemy, healing techniques, alignment and communication with the elements of nature, magick, controlled dreaming, spiritual awakening and determination.

Like the arcane mystery schools of the Sufi, the Druidic and Celtic, the Tibetan, and other Great Power traditions, the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path has evolved over thousands of years.

For many ancient peoples hair symbolizes knowledge. "Twisted Hairs" refers to those who take knowledge from many sources and weave it together, synthesizing and formulating "braids of truth". Over the centuries these "braids" are tried and tested. Those that are found to be valid and in alignment with sacred law are retained and added to the ever growing body of knowledge. Those that do not hold up under such rigor are discarded. So it has been for millenia within these ancient traditions of learning and journeying toward human enlightenment.

Originally established in 1250 B.C. as the Rattlesnake School of Turtle Island, the Twisted Hairs Metis Medicine Society Council of Elders is a body of shamans, medicine men and women, sorcerers and magicians from many tribes throughout North, Central and South America, who have traveled and studied beyond their traditional tribal boundaries and evolved to levels of great learning, wisdom, power and knowledge. Turtle Island is called the Southwest Power, one of the Eight Great Powers of knowledge and wisdom on the planet.

At times throughout history the magickal mystery schools were forced to take their teachings and knowledge "underground" for safekeeping because they were being misused by others for personal power and domination or perverted by religious hierarchies. This happened here on Turtle Island following the Spanish conquest by Cortes, Pizarro, and others, as well as the invasion of Europeans onto the North American continent.

In 1975, hearing the call of Grandmother Earth and seeing both the need and the readiness within the collective, the Elders of the Council decided to again release the first of many Wheels and Keys of this Sweet Medicine SunDance Path so that these teachings would be available to anyone seeking personal growth and spiritual awakening. The Council designated SwiftDeer as one of the Carriers of the Shields of Knowledge of this Path.

SwiftDeer has led a very full and adventuresome life. He served in Vietnam. In 1994, he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in honor of his contribution within that field. He also pursued studies in psychology, philosophy and religion. All of this rich experience and study is integrated into SwiftDeer's style and content of how he carries the Sweet Medicine SunDance Wheels and Keys.

His primary teacher in the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path was the late Grandfather Tom "Two Bears" Wilson, Navajo Medicine Man and President of the Navajo/Dineh Native American Church.

In July of 1992, SwiftDeer was seated and sealed as a Twisted Hairs elder on the Council. His primary responsibility is to introduce whatever teachings the Council deems necessary for people to wake up and step into sobriety.

The Wheels and Keys of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path are presented as tools to help heal Grandmother Earth, encouraging people to reconnect with her. This can establish a balance of female and male energies and eliminate dogma and ignorance which keeps people in patterns of struggle and disempowerment.

It is only through ignorance that we surrender our freedom. These teachings, therefore, are dedicated to the preservation of individual autonomous freedom for all peoples to live and maintain life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, harmony, humor, health and hope.