Wisdom of the Elders, Inc

November Update

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.

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Wisdom of the Elders, Inc

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."

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Wisdom Newsletter

Native American Heritage Month

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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.

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Wisdom Projects, Community Action, & Events

Read more about what Wisdom of the Elders is doing in the community.

Made possible with support from these generous Partners, Funders, and sponsors

The Collins Foundation
First Nations Development Institute
Ecotrust
Native Arts & Cultures Foundation
national Endowment for the Arts
East Portland Action Plan
Zenger Farm
Portland Parks & Recreation
sauvi-island-center
Willamette Week Give Guide
Open Signal
Leach Botanical Garden
Johnson Creek Watershed Council Partner
MHCRC Community Grant
ninety-nine girlfriends
Oregon Metro
Meyer Memorial Trust
Big Green DAO
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
Oregon Community Foundation - 2025 Funders and Partners
Healy Foundation
Friends of trees
REI cooperative action
Funders Page

Made possible with support from these generous Partners, Funders, and sponsors

USDAOregon Arts CommissionNational Endowment for the HumanitiesNoVo FoundationJames F. and Marion L. Miller FoundationThe Collins FoundationFirst Nations Development InstituteEcotrustNative Arts and Cultures FoundationNational Endowment for the ArtsEast Portland Action PlanZenger FarmPortland Parks and RecreationSauvie Island CenterWillamette Week Give!GuideOpen SignalPortland Office of Equity and Human RightsLeach Botanical GardenJohnson Creek Watershed CouncilMt. Hood Cable Regulatory CommissionNinety-Nine GirlfriendsOregon MetroMeyer Memorial TrustBig Green DAOEast Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation DistrictOregon Community FoundationHealy FoundationFriends of TreesREI Cooperative Action Fund
Funders Page

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.

 

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