Happy Spring to all our friends, relatives, and partners! As we welcome the warmer days and the return of our First Foods, Wisdom of the Elders is filled with gratitude for the vibrant community that supports our mission of Cultural and Environmental Restoration. This season is a time of renewal. The flowers are "strutting their stuff," bees are buzzing, plants are growing, and birds are busy building nests.
We are thrilled to be back in the field, growing and learning together. |
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Cultivating Restoration with Leach Botanical Garden We are incredibly grateful for our long-standing partnership with Leach Botanical Garden, particularly through the transformative Back 5 Project. Our collaborative efforts help our interns to apply Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) to restore underutilized land into a thriving natural space filled with native plants.
We are thrilled to share some wonderful highlights from the Garden’s recent news: Thanks to the community's overwhelming support and two generous anonymous donors who gave $240,000, Leach has secured enough funding to remain open through December 2026! Furthermore, we celebrate that the Garden has to date been pesticide-free for 10 months, using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and manual removal of invasive species to steward the land holistically.
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Healing Communities through ITEKOur ITEK program is at the heart of this work, offering comprehensive internships focused on First Foods, medicinal plants, and ecological restoration. By blending classroom learning with hands-on field instruction, our interns gain vital skills in Indigenous-focused agriculture and land stewardship while honoring the relationships between people and the land. This program is more than environmental education; it is a path toward healing communities and reclaiming traditional practices that were once withheld. The Power of PartnershipThese efforts would not be possible without our valued partners, ranging from urban farms like Zenger Farm to regional agencies like Oregon Metro. These collaborations provide our interns with hands-on experience at sites throughout the Portland Metro region, including nature areas and community spaces. In return, our partners benefit from the dynamic leadership and unique perspectives of emerging Indigenous and BIPOC professionals who are enhancing the future of the environmental sector. |
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Help Shape the Future of the Columbia Slough WatershedIn the spirit of collaborative stewardship, we invite you to help guide the future of our local landscape. The Flood Safety District of northern Multnomah County is currently developing its first 10-year Watershed Improvement Plan to improve environmental health and support long-term flood safety throughout the Columbia Slough watershed. If you live, work, or play in the Columbia Slough area, your voice is essential to ensuring this plan serves the entire community.
Take the Flood Safety District Community Survey
Your Input Matters: The more people who share their perspectives, the better the plan will be for everyone connected to the watershed. Win a Prize: Upon completing the survey, you will have the chance to win a gift card! Language Accessibility: The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Ukrainian, and Somali. *Please share your thoughts before the survey closes on April 19th. For more information about the Watershed Improvement Plan, you can visit the District’s website. |
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Support Our Mission: Become a Friend of WisdomYour contributions allow us to continue this vital work of Cultural and Environmental Restoration. By becoming a Friend of Wisdom, you directly support our ITEK internships, Multimedia programs, and Community Healing Initiatives.
Whether it is a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation, your generosity helps us honor the long-held knowledge of our elders and provide meaningful career pathways for the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
Donate Today to Support Wisdom of the Elders |
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