Future of Rural
Daniel Hull – Strong Heart Bear & Christina Ulibarri – She Stands Tall
Meet Your Facilitators
Daniel Hull – Strong Heart Bear
Daniel Hull – Strong Heart Bear is an Ojibwa Elder, ceremony holder, mentor, and community advocate whose life has been shaped by survival, ancestral reconnection, and service.
After surviving a life-changing shooting in 1987, Daniel found his way back to the traditional teachings of his people through elders, ceremony, prayer, and the medicine of the Pipe. Since then, he has devoted his life to serving others by creating spaces where healing can unfold through community.
Daniel has shared pipe ceremonies, sweat lodges, and Talking Circles in many settings. He has mentored young people, supported healing within prison communities, and carried the vision of Nanda Bisaniiwewin Niimowin—The Finding Peace in Your Heart Dance.
Now based in Tennessee, Daniel continues to serve through community education, mentorship, and ceremony. Each morning begins with a simple prayer to the Creator:
“How am I to be in service today?”
Christina Ulibarri – She Stands Tall
Christina Ulibarri, also known as She Stands Tall, is a spiritual practitioner of Lakota vision quest and forgiveness ceremony, and Ojibwa traditions connected to pipe, feathers, and Sundance.
Her practice is also guided by instinct and inner hearing. Christina describes the guiding voice of Mama Bear as something that came to her when she was young, helping her through difficult moments and continuing to guide her own ceremonial practice.
Through ceremony and circle, Christina creates spaces where people are invited to listen deeply, reconnect with themselves, and discover the wisdom already present within them.
Our Relationship
Daniel and Christina have been walking alongside Rē for two years. Our relationship has grown through trust, shared learning, and a deep respect for Indigenous teachings.
Individually we have been working on retreats and learning experiences. Together, over the last 2+ years, we have slowly been weaving together small engagements and moments of sharing each others’ offerings and work. These offerings and work are the type that invite people to slow down, listen well, and discover what becomes possible when community is held with care.
We’re grateful to continue learning alongside them as part of the Future of Rural learning community.
About Our Partners
Waazakone Ode (The Divine Heart Altar)
Waazakone Ode, meaning The Divine Heart Altar, offers inclusive traditional Native American ceremony. Guided by respect, relationship, and a spirit of welcome, these teachings create space for reflection, healing, and community.
We Believe in Open Access Education
In the spirit of regenerative economic reciprocity, Rē is offering Fall 2026 Pilot Cohort spots at no charge. Your participation, engagement, and feedback offers our organization an opportunity to learn about the student experience, to continue developing program supports, and to further imagine what Future of Rural can become.
(Of course, as Rē is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations of any amount in support of this work are always welcome, appreciated, and thoughtfully stewarded.)