Wisdom of the Elders, Inc
Wisdom of the Elders, Inc
A letter from the Executive Director – Teresa Montana
Indigenous Archive Initiative
Indigenous Archive Initiative
Our Mission
Wisdom records, preserves, and shares oral history, cultural arts, language concepts, and traditional ecological knowledge of exemplary Native American elders, storytellers, and scientists in collaboration with diverse institutions, agencies, and organizations. Our vision: Native American cultural sustainability, multimedia education, and cultural reconciliation.
Wisdom Newsletter
Harvesting Wisdom: Celebrating 2023 Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the Fall Season
Warm Greetings Friends of Wisdom, As we embrace the vibrant colors of autumn and the changing of seasons in our Fall 2023 newsletter, we also pause to reflect on the significance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. This day serves as a reminder of our commitment to honoring...
Native Wisdom Documentary Film Update: Walking On
Walking On is a powerful short documentary created in collaboration with Wisdom of the Elders, which follows Indigenous flute player Karrie Young as she offers music, presence, and care to people at the end of their lives. Through intimate moments and Indigenous cultural teachings, the film opens a gentle, deeply human conversation about death, transition, and the connection between them.
Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge: An Internship program
Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. is pleased to announce the (ITEK Program) Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge. This program is designed for interns and focuses on traditional ecological knowledge passed down from generations.
Wisdom Projects, Community Action, & Events
Read more about what Wisdom of the Elders is doing in the community.
Your Voice Matters – Native Vote – Announcement Repost
Oregon Voter Information The deadline to register to vote for Oregon's Primary election is tomorrow, April 26 at 11:59 PM. If you have not yet registered to vote for the upcoming election on May 17th, or would like to make changes to your registration we are here to...
Native Nonprofit Days giving campaign through May 20th.
Repost from Jim White NAO Executive Director Native Nonprofit Day On May 20, the Native Ways Federation (NWF) is launching its first Native Nonprofit Day – a giving initiative aimed at increasing support for Native-led organizations nationwide. This annual giving...
Farm Educator Open Positions at Sauvie Island Center
Are you interested in farming? Passionate about caring for our natural world? Would you enjoy working outdoors with children? If so, apply to spend the summer (or longer) with us. We have several open positions and are eager to welcome you to the team. You'll spend...
Wisdom of the Elders is featured on Koin.com for partnership during EarthWeek
Happy Earth Week Everyone. Wisdom of the Elders is featured on Koin.com Wisdom is busy this Earth Week partnering and celebrating Earth Day, Week, and Month with Earthday Oregon, an organization that works with Nonprofit Partners who work year-round across Oregon to...
Wisdom Board & Staff Retreat at ilani Resort, Washington
Wisdom of the Elders recently participated in a board and staff retreat hosted at Ilani Resort in Ridgefield, Washington. Where our team worked on strategy, goals, and team building for the next 6 months. We would like to extend a special thank you to the Developing...
Celebrating Earth Month with our Partners & Earth Day Oregon
We are excited to announce our new business partnerships with Come Thru Market and Wombyn’s Wellness Garden, thanks to Earth Day Oregon! This month Wisdom will be hosting an online raffle, as a part of a larger campaign to support Oregon nonprofits with sustainable...
Made possible with support from these generous Partners, Funders, and sponsors
Notes from Wisdom’s Executive Director:
More updates coming soon… In the meantime, please read more of our Newsletters
Hello and greetings to all,
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 excellent fall colors of our beautiful 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.



































