“A compelling, comprehensive and comprehensible guidebook for young people who long for meaning, belonging, and a creative participation in the great work of our time: the slow, visionary work of building just, equitable, and life-enhancing cultures. A lifelong student and innovator of nature-based human development and cultural restoration practices, Darcy is among our best guides enabling younger generations to discover how they, individually and collectively, are uniquely made for these times.”

— Bill Plotkin, author of Soulcraft and The Journey of Soul Initiation

“Finally, an intelligent and comprehensive book that not only teaches, but guides young people, and adults, into the important understanding of the necessity of rites of passage for our youth today. It artfully bridges the many thousands of years in which most every culture offered this ceremony for the balance and health of their communities ... into our world today and its many serious challenges and cultural adjustments. Our youth are hurting, and struggling to find their place. We need to return this time honored earth-based wisdom to its place in human society.”

— Meredith Little, author of The School of Lost Borders: A Love Story and Co-Founder, School of Lost Borders

“The adage ‘the apple does not fall far from the tree’ could not be more appropriate than for what Darcy Ottey has contributed through Rites and Responsibilities: A Guide To Growing Up.

This timely youth development handbook is a product of ordeals, challenges, nurturing, guidance, and calling. There is no better time for this handbook than during this ‘moment of truth.’ It serves as an introduction for young people to rites of passage, their birthright and social and ecological responsibility. What Darcy has provided is a guide for the cultivation of a ‘new harvest’ that can assume responsibility for themselves, community and planet—the living and unborn!”

—Elder Paul Hill, Jr, National Rites of Passage Institute, East Cleveland, OH

“Darcy does an incredible job at exploring rites of passage, healing, purpose and sharing her experience with initiatory practices in this book. The healing practices found in this book have the capacity to not only change lives but even save lives. This is an incredible self healing and growth resource for anyone seeking to find purpose in their own lives and looking to connect deeper with the power that lies within them.”

— Arturo Quiros, Producer and Social Justice Advocate, Soul Felony Productions

“Rites and Responsibilities is going to help a lot of young people and adults, empowering them with tools to serve them on their journey toward healing for themselves and their communities: body, mind, heart, and spirit. Through sharing her own life experiences and the experiences of a number of young people, Darcy helps readers connect with the earth and all the healing that can come through this connection. At its core, that’s what this book is all about.”

— Sharon Blackwolf, Indigenous elder and former educator in the school system