In this month of May, where in America we celebrate Mother’s Day, honoring the nurturing presence of mothers in our lives, I want to give thanks for Mother Nature and Mother Earth, and the web of life of which we are a part. At Tribal Trust Foundation, we believe that the wisdom of Indigenous peoples, the regenerative principles of Nature, … Read More
Passing on Ancestral Knowledge with Bari Wesna
We are proud to partner with, and be part of, passing on ancestral knowledge with Bari Wesna in Péru. Support their recent Traditional Singing & Medicinal Plants workshops was an honor. Held in the children’s library ‘’Jainoax Axeti Xobo’’ in the Intercultural community Bena Jema, and led by the wise Betty Muñoz, ancestral knowledge was shared with 25 boys and … Read More
The Power of Connection, Water, and Earth
In February, the Tribal Trust Foundation responded to the request of Maya Shaw Gale, a life-long advocate of indigenous wisdom, past TTF Board Member, and current TTF Advisor, to sponsor Adrian Salas Xopan, a Mayan ceremonialist and healer, to participate in the Indigenous Earth Day Tikal Conference in Guatemala. The intention of the Tikal convergence of spiritual leaders and wisdom … Read More
Supporting San Youth
In 2021, the San Bushmen living in Nhoma, a remote village in the Kalahari Desert of Namibia, asked the Tribal Trust to provide a school in their village that ensures an indigenous transfer of knowledge that coincides with teaching western knowledge; not through integration or assimilation of one within another but have these knowledge systems stand side by side … Read More
Shipibo-Konibo, the Indigenous people of the Ucayali River in Peru
The Shipibo-Konibo, the Indigenous people of the Ucayali River in Peru, are a shamanic culture that is world renown for healing with plant medicines such as ayahuasca. Medicine songs and designs are incorporated into their textiles, ceramics, and tools. Shipibo-Konibo Elders continue to assume lead roles in protecting their land, culture, and spiritual traditions. They are mentoring the next generation … 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
Supporting and Documenting the Mbuti of Epulu, Congo
For thousands of years, the Mbuti Pygmies lived sustainably as hunter-gatherers in the world’s second largest rainforest, in what is presently the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through their ability to change and adapt within their forest habitat, they survived the Congo’s devasting history of war, disease and resource exploitation. But now, as globalization and the demands of contemporary economics, … Read More