ABOUT

Back in 2007, the organization was created by a passionate group of volunteers who dreamed about contributing something of value to the world.  They were inspired by cultures who remain connected to their rituals and ceremonies, who still gather around the fire to share stories, teachings, and receive guidance and visions from the Ancestors. We are here to serve as a bridge between Indigenous or placed-based cultures and those no longer living on or near their ancestral homelands.

In 2020, we began a series of strategic visioning sessions, working closely with the Elders Council, stakeholders, and partners for guidance and insight. As we engaged in the journey of introspection, we revised our mission and vision statements and developed guiding principles.

“Messages from Mother Earth of fires, floods, hurricanes signal a human family out of balance with one another, not understanding our roles and duties to each other and to the natural world.  The world will not come back into balance until we do, as human family.” Kahontakwas Diane Longboat

Our new name, Seeds of Wisdom, is reflective of these changes, reconnecting and strengthening our roots with Mother Earth by planting the seeds of wisdom for tomorrow.

We work in service as a support for the Elders, knowledge holders, and community partners who hold the seeds of wisdom for future generations. This transformation will allow us to be a better ally and stronger partner. We are actively identifying ways to ensure the stories of resilience and strength are being told by the original voices.  By creating a platform for the teachings to be shared as well as empowering the next generation of storytellers, our programs will complement and enhance each other, thereby creating more impact and effectiveness.

Returning to the values of reciprocity, respect, responsibility, and reverence for all living beings, embodied in Indigenous cultures around the world, is crucial for humanity’s survival.

We need to un-learn to re-learn.  We need to return to Earth-based wisdom.

“We need to have a paradigm shift; to me the paradigm shift is that we have to see the world as Indigenous people see it. It’s urgent that we empower Indigenous people everywhere and look to their leadership into the future.” Dr. David Suzuki

Since the inception of the Protecting the Sacred funding program in 2012, we’ve invested nearly $950,000 in support of Indigenous-led grassroots projects and programs throughout Turtle Island (North America), South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. These initiatives have impacted the lives of thousands of community members, strengthening the ties that hold cultures together such as language, ceremony, inter-generational knowledge exchange, and access to traditional foods and medicine.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to those who have gone before us and who brought the organization to where it is today. Without their dedication and spirit, our ability to be responsive, innovative, and evolve to answer the call of the Ancestors, would not be possible.

Mary Wilson (Maori), Board of Trustees and Chair of Protecting the Sacred Review Committee, shares, “I recognize that over many years/generations the Indigenous fires around the world have been either extinguished or dampened. But there is change in the wind. I personally see our role is to provide the “Ha” (breathe of life) that gently blows on those remaining embers to reignite the flame to allow the sacred fires to burn bright again. I know our Ancestors walk alongside us always. May they continue to guide us on our work together.”

We have been designated as a GuideStar gold level participant based on our committment to transparency.

ABOUT

Back in 2007, the organization was created by a passionate group of volunteers who dreamed about contributing something of value to the world.  They were inspired by cultures who remain connected to their rituals and ceremonies, who still gather around the fire to share stories, teachings, and receive guidance and visions from the Ancestors. We are here to serve as a bridge between Indigenous or placed-based cultures and those no longer living on or near their ancestral homelands.

In 2020, we began a series of strategic visioning sessions, working closely with the Elders Council, stakeholders, and partners for guidance and insight. As we engaged in the journey of introspection, we revised our mission and vision statements and developed guiding principles.

“Messages from Mother Earth of fires, floods, hurricanes signal a human family out of balance with one another, not understanding our roles and duties to each other and to the natural world.  The world will not come back into balance until we do, as human family.” Kahontakwas Diane Longboat

Our new name, Seeds of Wisdom, is reflective of these changes, reconnecting and strengthening our roots with Mother Earth by planting the seeds of wisdom for tomorrow.

We work in service as a support for the Elders, knowledge holders, and community partners who hold the seeds of wisdom for future generations. This transformation will allow us to be a better ally and stronger partner. We are actively identifying ways to ensure the stories of resilience and strength are being told by the original voices.  By creating a platform for the teachings to be shared as well as empowering the next generation of storytellers, our programs will complement and enhance each other, thereby creating more impact and effectiveness.

Returning to the values of reciprocity, respect, responsibility, and reverence for all living beings, embodied in Indigenous cultures around the world, is crucial for humanity’s survival.

We need to un-learn to re-learn.  We need to return to Earth-based wisdom.

“We need to have a paradigm shift; to me the paradigm shift is that we have to see the world as Indigenous people see it. It’s urgent that we empower Indigenous people everywhere and look to their leadership into the future.” Dr. David Suzuki

Since the inception of the Protecting the Sacred funding program in 2012, we’ve invested nearly $800,000 in support of Indigenous-led grassroots projects and programs throughout Turtle Island (North America), South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. These initiatives have impacted the lives of thousands of community members, strengthening the ties that hold cultures together such as language, ceremony, inter-generational knowledge exchange, and access to traditional foods and medicine.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to those who have gone before us and who brought the organization to where it is today. Without their dedication and spirit, our ability to be responsive, innovative, and evolve to answer the call of the Ancestors, would not be possible.

Mary Wilson (Maori), Board of Trustees and Chair of Protecting the Sacred Review Committee, shares, “I recognize that over many years/generations the Indigenous fires around the world have been either extinguished or dampened. But there is change in the wind. I personally see our role is to provide the “Ha” (breathe of life) that gently blows on those remaining embers to reignite the flame to allow the sacred fires to burn bright again. I know our Ancestors walk alongside us always. May they continue to guide us on our work together.”

MISSION

To ensure the continuance of Indigenous wisdom traditions and to expand awareness of how and why these worldviews and their embodied values are crucial to modern society.

VISION

We honor the wisdom of Indigenous worldview and believe all life can flourish when humanity embraces our responsibility to care for the living world for the benefit of unborn generations.

We are first and foremost guided by a Council of Elders whose teachings, values, and principles are the very threads that hold cultures together. Our leadership team comes from diverse backgrounds and perspectives collectively bringing decades of experience and dedication to the mission of Seeds of Wisdom (formerly Sacred Fire Foundation). The Circle of Advisors further strengthens and informs our work as it relates to best practices, trust-building with Indigenous partners, capacity-building, and relationships built on reciprocity and respect. At the very heart of who we are is our incredible volunteers who selflessly share their heart in all they do.

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We are deeply grateful to the Elders who sit on the Elders Council. They offer guidance to the organization and our global community. We value their worldview and wisdom represented by their unique cultural backgrounds and lived experiences.

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PARTNERS

We are honored to partner with organizations and individuals to ensure the continuance of Indigenous traditions, values, wisdom, and worldviews, uplifting and strengthening Indigenous voices. By creating mutually beneficial collaborations and alliances, we believe we are better able to fulfill our mission and affect social change in a meaningful and sustainable way.

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