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.

Written by Rebeka Ndosi, Executive Director of Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary

I am, Rebeka Ndosi, a Tanzanian-American, born and raised in Minnesota. In addition to being Founder and Keeper of the Vision (ED) of Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary, I am a board-licensed practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, creator of Warriors of Light Yoga – focused on youth of color and their adults-  and a certified Soul Answer Healer. I am a mother, a wife, sister, daughter, friend and lover of dogs, surfing, music, Star Trek, and travel.

“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!”

What is your favorite natural place in Minnesota?

My favorite place to be outside in Minnesota is the North Shore of Gitchigaming, as its geology and topography feels like home due to the distinct similarities that exist between there are the east african rift in northern/northwest Tanzania.

Share your hopes for Minnesota’s natural places with the Upstream community: 

My hopes for Minnesota’s natural areas is that we will, individually and collectively, tend to them as extensions of ourselves. Every living thing on this planet is interconnected. The trees are us, the water is us, the birds and insects and four-leggeds are us. The healing power of nature is real, both inside us and around us, and it is a reciprocal relationship. When we are good stewards of the earth, the earth will continue to care for us deeply. When we harm and neglect the natural world we harm and neglect ourselves – if not immediately, at some point down the line. What future do we want to seed for our descendants? We have the power to change course now and work together towards a healthy, thriving future for those whom we are still only dreaming about.

Learn more about Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary.

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