Native American Heritage Month: Thankfulness & Gratitude from Wisdom of the Elders |
|
|
|
As the seasons change and the year draws to a close, we pause to reflect with gratitude for the stories, songs, and teachings passed down through generations.
This wisdom guides us toward healing, balance, and a deeper connection to the Earth we all share. We are grateful to Elders, culture keepers, youth, and community members whose resilience and creativity shape our future.
Through our programs in ecological education, cultural arts, multimedia storytelling, and community building, we celebrate Indigenous traditions and invite everyone to join us in listening, learning, and giving thanks for the wisdom that sustains us all.
|
 |
|
|
|
We could not have done it alone! Our sincere gratitude goes out to our generous partners, funders, and sponsors who walk with us, sharing resources, expertise, and vision to make our programs and gatherings possible.
A Message of GratitudeWe extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, funders, and supporters for believing in our mission and walking alongside us as we build bridges between generations and cultures. We would also like to shout out a special thank you to this years 2025 fall ITEK internship funders, sponsors, and partners including Oswego Lake Watershed Council, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, Leach Botanical Garden, Native Gathering Garden, Zenger Farm, Metro, Grand Ronde Native Plant Nursery, Rosemont Farm, Wetlands Conservancy, Clean Water Services, Portland Parks and Recreation, Trail Keepers of Oregon.
Your collaboration deepens the impact of our programs, strengthens our community, and honors the wisdom of our Elders. Together, we continue to uplift Indigenous voices, preserve traditional knowledge, and create meaningful connections through shared stories, education, and art.
We are deeply grateful to the many organizations and individuals who make our work possible. To learn more about those who support and sustain our mission, please visit our Funders & Sponsors page and join us in celebrating the community partnerships that help Wisdom of the Elders thrive. |
 |
Why Collaboration MattersOur community partners help ensure that elders’ teachings, stories, and programs rooted in Indigenous traditions are shared and preserved. By combining philanthropy, community organizations, and Indigenous leadership, we strengthen heritage while fostering innovation. Through these partnerships, we expand access to internships, workforce development, Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) programs, and multimedia initiatives. |
 |
Seasonal Inspiration: Honoring the Land and Native Herbs of the Pacific NorthwestIn the Pacific Northwest, the changing seasons are a living teacher. As autumn rains nourish the land, we are reminded of the deep connection between people and place, and of the cedar, fir, and native herbs that heal and sustain us. For generations, Indigenous peoples have cultivated and gathered plants like nettles, yarrow, cedar, Oregon grape root, kinnikinnick, and camas, each teaching balance, gratitude, and care for the ecosystems that support life. This season, we invite you to reflect on this reciprocity—whether tending a garden, gathering respectfully, or walking mindfully in the forest. |
Wisdom’s Apothecary UpdateThis program would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of Dawn Lowe, whose efforts have helped bring Wisdom’s Apothecary to life. We are just beginning adding shelves, honoring native plants and herbs, and building inventory lists with guidance on traditional uses. Friends of Wisdom have already donated plants, and we are seeking large jars to expand our collection.
Interns will use the plants to learn salve making, extracts, and other First Medicines, which they will share with their families and communities. Eventually, the Apothecary will be open to elders who request it. Through this program, and our collaborations with local farms, we aim to grow, harvest, and provide teas, smudges, and other plant medicines supporting cultural well-being and keeping Indigenous ecological knowledge alive.
*Special Note*: While we do have herbalists at Wisdom of the Elders, we are not Dr’s and we are not yet Elders. With that being stated, please go to your primary care provider for any health advice or questions. Be wary of mixing medicines with your medication; again, ask your Dr. and do your own study. For cultural uses, always seek out your Elders and Tribal Cultural keepers for advice on spiritual practices with the Plant Nation. |
 |
Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Growth Through Our ITEK ProgramOur Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) program continues to nurture both the land and the next generation of environmental stewards. This season, interns witnessed a thriving black cap raspberry plant emerging where invasive Himalayan blackberry had been removed a powerful reminder that the land heals when we care for it.
Guided by mentors like Karrie Young and Elexis Moyer, interns engaged in hands-on learning: removing invasive species, planting native herbs and shrubs, and sharing harvests with local farms, including American cranberries, cluster roses, willow, and snowberry for replanting. These moments, from identifying native species to watching new growth emerge, embody ITEK’s mission: learning from the land, giving back, and carrying Indigenous ecological knowledge forward. |
 |
Multimedia UpdateOur Multimedia Internship Program and Indigenous Archive Initiative continue to thrive, giving Native and BIPOC students hands-on experience in film, photography, and digital media while centering Indigenous voices. Interns document elders’ stories, preserve decades of cultural recordings, and create projects for public engagement, blending technical skills with cultural integrity and strengthening connections across generations, communities, and the land.
We are also excited to share our collaboration on the short documentary Walking On, which follows Karrie Young, an Indigenous flute player, as she brings music to comfort those Walking On. The film offers a quiet, respectful meditation on death as a bridge between worlds, highlighting how Indigenous music serves both as art and ceremony, guiding spirits and bringing healing to those left behind. |
 |
WW Give!Guide UpdateAs the year draws to a close, we invite you to participate in our most important fundraising campaign of the season. We are proud to partner with Give!Guide, a trusted giving platform designed to make year‑end donations easy, meaningful, and impactful. Give!Guide runs from November 1 through December 31, offering a streamlined way for donors to support nonprofits, earn incentives, and amplify their gifts through matching grants and special “Big Give Days.”
At Wisdom of the Elders, Inc., our work in Indigenous media, cultural arts, ecological stewardship, and youth mentorship is rooted in community, tradition, and transformation. By joining us through donation, you do more than support a nonprofit; you help sustain living traditions, empower Indigenous voices, preserve ecological knowledge, and train the next generation of storytellers and stewards. Every gift, no matter the size, helps create ripple effects across landscapes and generations.
We encourage you to explore our Give!Guide profile, choose to support us during this campaign, and consider making your impact go further. With some donations matched and incentives available for donors, your contribution to Wisdom of the Elders through Give!Guide can do more than ever this season.
Thank you for standing with us and helping our stories, programs, and partnerships thrive as we enter a new year together. |
| Donate Today |
|
|
|
|
