Supporting San Bushmen Youth

Barbara SavageAfrica, Collaborations, Documentation, Education, Filmmaking, Global Impact, Key Projects, Newsletter, TTF Travel Trips, WatchLeave a Comment

  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

Barbara SavageCollaborations, Documentation, Education, Key Projects, South America, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

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

Monpa Medicinal Plants: Indigenous Knowledge From A Himalayan Healer

Barbara SavageAsia, Books, Collaborations, Documentation, Education, Key ProjectsLeave a Comment

Inspired by her time in Bhutan with the Monpa people and with teachings from wisdom Elder Ap Tawla, professor Dawn A. Murray wrote the book  Monpa Medicinal Plants: Indigenous Knowledge From A Himalayan Healer,  a book about the Monpas and their intimate relationships with the plants, the land, and cultural practices. Murray’s book illuminates the Himalayan medicinal plants that the … Read More

Getting to Know the Monpa People of Bhutan

Barbara SavageAsia, Collaborations, Documentation, Education, Filmmaking, Key Projects, WatchLeave a Comment

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

Reviving Traditional Weaving at Laya Central School

Barbara SavageEducationLeave a Comment

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