Wisdom of the Elders, Inc

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.

The Wisdom of the Elders leads a wide range of initiatives aimed at preserving culture, restoring the environment, and strengthening Indigenous communities. Our Multi-Media Archive Initiative has recorded over 400 Native elders, scientists, and cultural leaders, who share their stories through projects such as the Native Wisdom Documentary Series, Wisdom of the Elders Radio, and Discovering Our Story Television.

Through Wisdom Workforce Development LLC. (WWD), Native American adults gain training in Environmental Assessment and Habitat Restoration. Adults 18 and up benefit from the Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) Internship-Wisdom's culturally tailored science education and leadership programs. We also created Discovering Our Story, a 36-lesson 36-curriculum set focused on healing from Historical Trauma.

Additionally, our Wisdom Agricultural Business Incubator (WABI) and Workforce Development LLC offer living-wage opportunities for Indigenous interns. Paid Multimedia internships provide hands-on skills, while over two decades of public cultural events-including Storytelling gatherings, Film Festivals, and Traditional Foods Symposia-continue to celebrate and s

Testimonials

Starting at Wisdom, I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it was going to help me take the next step on the path I know I'm meant to walk. In my youth, I carried a lot of anger and misinformation; I had to step away from the community because that anger was devastating to my health and wellness. I used to think anger, grit, and sheer force of will were the only way I could engage in decolonial work effectively. After being away from the community for so long, I felt I was ready to come back, but I knew my work couldn't keep coming from that fire. While fire is necessary, you can't survive long enough in it to see new growth.
- 2024 ITEK Intern