This past 2021 spring the Wisdom of the Elders, Inc WABI & WWD Internships concluded their program of traditional ecological knowledge. The program was from March 15th, 2021 through the week of June 7th, and met three days a week either virtually or at various natural areas in the Portland area.
Every Tuesday & Thursday, the cohort consisted of hands-on experience in the field with partner organizations like Oregon Metro, Portland Parks & Recreation, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, Rose CDC, Zenger Farm, and Native Gathering Garden at Cully Park. We would also like to take this time to thank EMSWCD Partners in Conservation grant program, and the East Portland Action Plan (EPAP)
Each Wednesday a class was held online (either Zoom or Google Classroom) where WOTE TEK Education Coordinator, Dawn Lowe (Hawaiian, Apache, Mohawk), held a space for all to learn together about Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Indigenous peoples (also known as TEK) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) and Native American cultural arts.
Graduation day was held at the Zengar farm accompanying a delicious community lunch put on by Jen Manard of Zenger farm and Geo Ann Baker of Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. Students, Interns, and farm staff all had the chance to share and eat some delicious natural foods consisting of stews, fry bread, NDN tacos with homemade vegetarian chili and chicken chili, and an amazing batch of berry and hibiscus aguas frescas :
The day concluded with the graduates of the WABI internship presenting a business model outline that they each came up with for their final project.
Take a look at the slideshow to view some of the photos from the day.