Regina Brandstätter

I've been active with the Mirnockhütern since 2012.

Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by the history of the "Native American" - from then on, it remained my dream to delve deeper into this world. I fulfilled this dream in 2013 when I travelled to the Lakota reservation in Pine Ridge South Dakota.

There I learnt about the traditions, including the craft of bead work, which I have continued to pursue and deepen over the years. I was able to work with Harald and Peter in Allen (village in the reserve), which left a deep impression on my soul. I still like to think back to that time today. I also learnt a deep respect for the people who look after this land.

In 2018, I was able to immerse myself a second time in this picturesque landscape, which the Natives plain "The Plains" name.

Besides the big event of the POW-WOW, I spent a lot of my time with my "big sister" ( in Lakota - CUWE ) Verola Spider who adopted me as her "little sister" ( in Lakota - MITANKALA ) at the Sun Dance Tree of David Swallow in a very touching ceremony . She explained to me the traditions , rituals and ceremonies .

Another trip took me to Peru and Bolivia in 2014.

I had many impressive moments and experiences and also fulfilled another dream. I visited a wide variety of places and always have fond memories of them.

Through my spiritual connection to the Lakota and also to my own culture, I soon found myself immersed in the secrets of herbs and learnt more and more about them. About their history, their healing power and their significance for us. I soon trained as a herbal practitioner and continued to deepen and expand my knowledge, which developed into another great passion. Since then, I have been making many things with a lot of love and respect for nature, and I also collect and process the herbs and resins for the sweat lodge ritual.

Among other things, I still enjoy making the following:

Herbal tea

Incense

Ointments

Hydrolates

Essential oils Bath salts

Herbal salts

Soaps

Shampoos, shower gel

My closeness to nature also meant that one day (2010) bees moved in with me, which my husband and I treat very lovingly and also learn a lot from these miracle creatures. Beekeeping has also resulted in wonderful things, including

Honey (forest, blossom, lime, alpine rose, creamed and propolis honey)

Wax (candles)

Propolis (cream, drops, lip balm)

Honey liqueur

Mead

Mead vinegar

Flower pollen (superfood)

And to round it all off, here is a brief overview of my handicrafts, which I also enjoy doing:

Dreamcatchers of any kind

Traditional beadwork

(native-american-bead work and traditional celtic-germanic symbols)