FOUNDED as a non-profit organization in 1986 by John Stokes, The Tracking Project (TTP) in Corrales, New Mexico, has worked with community educators and Native elders from around the world to design a series of teachings which connect individuals directly to the natural world. Our programs of natural and cultural awareness include a wide range of skills—from traditional tracking and survival skills to music, storytelling,d ance, peacemaking and martial arts training. The name Arts of Life* was chosen to describe these programs, which emphasize indigenous knowledge, the lessons of Nature and the power of art.

Ramah Firemaking
John Stokes breathes life to fire in Ramah, NM. Arts of Life program.
Group Tracking
Dreamtracking—The girls and staff on some coyote tracks in a dry wash.

Over the past seventeen years a diverse team of artists/educators and traditional Native elders from TTP have shared this unique awareness program with more than 100,000 people of all ages. Through Nurturing the Roots, a community mentor program, our work with the international community now includes partners/programs in Hawai’i, Brazil, the Philippines, Sweden, Japan and Australia.

Children, the preservation of wildlife, biodiversity and the integrity/vitality of Native cultures in the global indigenous network have been the focus of our work. Our programs actively support cultural survival and community revival.

Tom Brown and John Stokes
John Stokes (front right) in natural headgear and attire with wilderness teacher Tom Brown (front left)
John Stokes (right) and Karl Telfer playing the didjeridu.
John Stokes (right) and Karl Telfer playing the didjeridu.
Poets Gary Snyder (left) and Nanao Sakaki (right)

As educators, we seek to:

– Enhance the awareness, self-reliance and self-confidence of our students.
– Provide training for youth in a wide range of life skills, including wilderness survival, tracking, and nature awareness, through school visits, camps and special programs.
– Offer an understanding of the importance of cultural survival/revival through music, storytelling, dance, painting and other arts.

– Offer an understanding of the importance of cultural survival/revival through music, storytelling, dance, painting and other arts.

Encourage cultural respect and understanding by focusing on our shared human needs.
– Provide trainings and mentor programs for educators.

– Promote community education programs which bring together people of all ages, especially elders and youth.

– Encourage people to appreciate, understand and share in their responsibilities to the natural world.
– Work toward a future peaceful and sustainable society.