Wisdom of the Elders, Inc
Indigenous Archive Initiative
The Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. Indigenous Archive Initiative is a monumental endeavor to preserve and share the rich cultural heritage and wisdom of Indigenous communities. By digitizing and organizing over two decades of recorded video footage, we are creating an accessible online interactive database. Please support our mission by donating to our fund today.
Our Mission
"Wisdom of the Elders revitalizes and sustains Indigenous cultures by capturing the knowledge of Native elders through film, radio, and story — and carrying it into living practice: restoring ecosystems, renewing ancestral food and medicine systems, and building career pathways for Native youth and adults.
Our Vision: A future where Native cultures are seen and heard, ecosystems are healed, and Indigenous knowledge guides how we all live with the land."
Wisdom Newsletter
2026 Wisdom of the Elders Winter Newsletter: Reflection, Renewal, Responsibility
As the new year begins, Wisdom of the Elders reflects with gratitude and looks ahead. Across our programs, we are honoring important milestones, continuing our work with intention, and preparing for the opportunities and responsibilities of the year ahead.
Wisdom Projects, Community Action, & Events
Read more about what Wisdom of the Elders is doing in the community.
Supporting Portland Film: August Highlights
At Wisdom of the Elders, we are proud to stand alongside our friends at Portland Events & Film as they continue to uplift and strengthen the local film industry. Like us, they are dedicated to telling powerful stories and building opportunities for filmmakers and...
Sign Up: Blueprint Foundations 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Blueprint Foundations is celebrating a remarkable 10 years of community impact, and you’re invited to join the festivities! This Saturday, August 23rd, come together with friends, family, and neighbors at Mt. Scott Park in SE Portland for a day filled with fun, food,...
Supporting the Portland Indigenous Marketplace: Upcoming Events & Fundraisers
Wisdom of the Elders is proud to share upcoming events and opportunities from our friends at the Portland Indigenous Marketplace. This grassroots nonprofit provides vital space for Indigenous artists, entrepreneurs, and culture-bearers to share their work with the...
Join Us: 8th Annual Medicine Gathering
Remember to bring your utensils, and no animals are allowed. The 8th Annual Medicine Gathering, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Council of Water Protectors, is returning to Oxbow Regional Park’s Eagle Camp from August 21–25, 2025. This gathering is a transformative...
Earth Sculpting and more with Wisdom of the Elders and Blueprint Foundation at the Back Five
At the Back Five, the land itself became a classroom this summer as Wisdom of the Elders and Blueprint Foundation came together for an innovative Earth Sculpting project. Youth from the community stepped into boots, gloves, and a new perspective — one where shaping...
Welcoming New Members to the Wisdom Family: Anthony Alvarado & Dean BlueEagle
At Wisdom of the Elders, we are always honored to grow our circle with individuals who bring passion, purpose, and deep cultural integrity to our shared mission. Today, we are thrilled to introduce two remarkable individuals who have recently joined our team—Dean...
Made possible with support from these generous Partners, Funders, and sponsors
Made possible with support from these generous Partners, Funders, and sponsors
Notes from Wisdom’s Staff
More updates coming soon... In the meantime, please read more of our Newsletters
Hello and greetings to all,
November is Native American History Month, a time to honor the histories, languages, and knowledge that Indigenous communities have carried forward for generations. It is a fitting season for the work we share, where Traditional Ecological Knowledge sits at the heart of how we teach, grow, and gather. We are grateful to walk this path alongside you.
First, and foremost, we send you a massive Thank You to all of our partners and supporters. Our team celebrates all that you do to uplift our programs as we serve our shared communities. Just know that with each kind word of encouragement, each phone call, and every penny, it’s an opportunity for us to turn to each other with a celebratory word: well done, congratulations, way to go team, and a shared Thanks to each of you!
Your generosity is both deeply appreciated and heartfelt.
We are in the midst of creating an Apothecary for our Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge Internship (ITEK), which is offered twice yearly. We are also deep in the planning process for our Seed-Saving & Sharing program while developing strategic plans to build new garden beds to grow Traditional First Foods.
As our ITEK students learn through classroom instruction and gain hands-on field experience, they all have a part in these processes.
Our community partners are, as always, so gracious to walk alongside us, providing their insight and encouragement to our students and our team. To you, we offer our gratitude for sharing our vision for future generations. You make Wisdom that much richer and add depth to our mission when you join us at the table or in the field to share our goals. The impact is felt all the way through our students, and they take that to fuel themselves into their path forward. To note, we have had previous interns go on to create their own business ventures.
I do hope you are doing well and enjoying the beautiful colors of late fall across our Northwest! Indeed, my favorite time of year. I hope you enjoy the photo of the fantastic double rainbow.
I want to note that Wisdom is recruiting for additional Board Members. We are recruiting those with experience and interest in one or more of our programs and committees:
Ecological Restoration & Conservation, Curriculum Development, Multimedia / Film
Please reach out at your earliest convenience.