During these unprecedented times, all of us at the Tribal Trust Foundation are thinking of you, our loved ones and communities. Like you, we are also concerned about, and are adapting to, the changes brought upon our lives by the global pandemic. It is natural for many of us to feel anxious at this time – but remember that we … Read More
Full Moon Water Blessing Ceremony
On full moons, the Tribal Trust Foundation collaborates with local Indigenous leaders to gather together friends, virtually and locally around the world’s waters, in gratitude to give and receive our blessings of this sacred source. In doing so, our community deepens our love and honor for water as the source of all life. TTF works closely with the organization Loving … Read More
The First Monpa Day Festival
The First Monpa Day Festival Dec. 10, 2019 by Dawn Alexandra Murray, M.S., Ph.D. We arrived in a small van around 4:30 pm up the windy, forested dirt road the afternoon before the festival. A decorated and painted yellow arch with the seven lucky symbols was gracing the roadway, eleven young boys in ghos and plastic slip-on shoes still laying … Read More
Getting to Know the Monpa People of Bhutan
Within Bhutan, a small Kingdom in the Himalayas, hidden away in the deep forest and high mountains, live the Monpa, the indigenous people considered the country’s first inhabitants. The Monpa asked the Tribal Trust Foundation (TTF) to help them preserve their ancient culture, which is based on living in harmony with nature and each other. In 2014, we were the … Read More
Partnering with Chief Ju/’hoansi San of the Kalahari Desert
Upon the request of the San people and several NGO, and on behalf of the Tribal Trust Foundation, Barbara Savage traveled to Botswana and Namibia. She interviewed game wardens, lawyers and activists to understand the immediate crisis. Through the power of traditional trance dancing, chief G/a’qo Kaeqce, understood the President of Namibia was intent on genocide of his people. A … Read More
Indigenous Peoples Day
After years of work, we are honored to share that TTF collaborated with local allies in proposing that the City Council of Santa Barbara and the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County adopt a resolution acknowledging the first Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, replacing Columbus Day. Today, a Declaration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day by the Mayor of … Read More
Santa Barbara Considers Switch to Indigenous Peoples Day
The resolution would be largely ceremonial, as the city itself does not celebrate the federal holiday, said Tribal Trust President Robert Ornstein, but it could help move California closer to passing statewide legislation.
Reviving Traditional Weaving at Laya Central School
Though small in size Bhutan is considered one of the richest nations today in terms of culture. They see their unique cultures as a symbol of unity, and national identity. That’s why Royal Government of Bhutan adopted preservation of cultural heritage as the third pillar of Gross National Happiness. Realizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage, the youth of Laya … Read More
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Welcome to Autumn! We end September having celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Indigenous Peoples Day
The relationship of indigenous and non-indigenous in our country is in deep need of healing right now. We need to act with integrity and sincerity if there is ever going to be any chance of that happening.
WATER IS LIFE WALK ‘Source to Sea’
We walk because the ancestors walked ~ by walking we follow in their footsteps and can pick up the “treasures” that were left along the trail!
Victory for Standing Rock
A federal judge ruled that the federal permits authorizing the pipeline to cross the Missouri River just upstream of the Standing Rock reservation, which were hastily issued by the Trump administration just days after the inauguration, violated the law in certain critical respects.