Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary is a black-led, nature-based healing retreat created to provide rest, reconnection, and rejuvenation of mind, body & soul for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color across generations.
We are building an intentional space rooted in healing, restoration, and thriving in the region of Minnesota’s North Shore.
A Destination
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The Key
The key to healing and connecting with our full & true selves is not through doing, producing, or pushing, but through ease, relaxation, allowing and listening.
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The Core
At its core, this is what Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary will provide—a container for the fullness of ourselves to blossom from the depths of our relaxed being, supported by nature. The Sanctuary grounds will be designed to root and support this.
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The Vision
Individuals and groups will be able to rent the retreat on a sliding scale (and sometimes free of charge), which we envision being made possible by a combination of memberships, sponsorship, and one-time rentals.
All profits above and beyond operating costs will go towards scholarships for BIPOC youth access, as well as further tending and development of the land.
Maji ya Chai
A note on our origins from founder, Rebeka Ndosi
Maji ya Chai is the name of the area in Tanzania where generations of Ndosis have lived. The name means “water like tea” because of the reddish brown tint of the water due to the mineral-rich soil. Located in the foothills of Mt. Meru, my family members have been mountain farmers there for multiple generations. In 1960 my father traveled to Minnesota to attend college in Northfield. He met my mother at the University of Minnesota many years later. They put down roots and raised me, my older sister and my younger brother on the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities. Sadly, my family in Tanzania has lost much of the land over the past few years. When the uprisings took place in Minneapolis during the summer of 2020, my Ancestors woke me from my sleep night after night with this vision — "Time for the Land. Time to act!”
Rebeka Annette Nkatareto Ndosi, founder of Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary, is a healer, teacher, public speaker and community coach. She is a mother, partner, sister and the second daughter of Eliawira and Barbara Ndosi.
We Envision, in the Name of Our Sustainable Future:
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10-100+ acres to steward and upon which the sanctuary will reside
Water source — river, stream, or lake
A stand-alone Healing Center where healing therapies will be given and received
BIPOC-tended garden and greenhouse for growing food and medicinal herbs
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Offering a safe, supportive environment for BIPOC folx to enjoy the outdoors.
Rest, Respite, Rejoicing space
Gathering and practice space
Hiking trails
We will hold, develop and care for the land and the nurturing and gathering spaces upon it, creating the opportunity for folks from BIPOC communities throughout the state to bring their visions of healing and transformation to life on the land.
Firekeepers
Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary is governed by a circle of Fire Keepers who feed, nurture and tend to our flame, the essence and spark of the Land Sanctuary. This is the circle that keeps us thriving, true and accountable to our values and connected to our communities, locally and globally.
Camille Cyprian
Cristine Davidson
Rebeka Ndosi
Sandy Agustin
