We’re happy to announce the Tribal Trust Foundation (TTF) has successfully funded a grassroots cultural revitalization and research initiative for the Monpa, a tribe of Indigenous hunter gatherers who live in the Black Forest, a remote area in Central Bhutan. The Monpa community is rich in culture and they recognize “it is on the verge of disappearing”. This … Read More
Giving Back To Mother Earth
The Tribal Trust Foundation (TTF) was founded in 1998. For twenty-five years we have been identifying sustainable grass roots cultural preservation projects to support Indigenous people around the world. The TTF partners with local organizations and businesses whose experience and existing relationships with specific tribes can sustain joint initiatives over the long-term … Read More
Safeguarding Shipibo-Konibo Wisdom in Peru
How are you? I hope you feel curious and inspired after reading this newsletter. The Tribal Trust Foundation (TTF) was honored to be invited to attend and document a traditional rite of passage of a young Shipibo-Konibo girl on her thirteenth birthday. The Shipibo-Konibo are an Indigenous people who live along the … Read More
Ancient Futures
Triangulum by Beth Moon Ancient Futures. I have been blessed to sit in the San Bushmen healing circle on the soft Kalahari Desert sands many nights over the past years. Listening to the rhythmic clapping and singing of the women puts me in an altered state and at peace. I watch the medicine men go … Read More
Safeguarding Indigenous Wisdom in Bhutan
What wisdom do we lose when we do not learn from these Indigenous groups who have been living in harmony with nature since creation. A vanishing soul from an Indigenous culture is a lost being, representing loss of knowledge, loss of a heart and mind, a witness living in nature. – Dawn … Read More
A Celebration of Trees: Honoring the Mbuti People
This month we are celebrating trees and the indigenous people who have long been the guardians of the forest. Naturally, we think of the Mbuti Pygmies, who, for thousands of years have lived sustainably as hunter-gatherers in the Ituri Forest–the world’s second largest rainforest located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. … Read More
Ancestral Wisdom
Above: Star Trails of Namibia by Karen Deakin The pandemic has affected us on a global scale and brought new awareness of the devastating effects of climate change and consequently the loss of biodiversity. As a direct result, we have become more aware of the urgent need to change our modern way of life to living more … Read More
Best Wishes
Artwork above: Mother & Child by Jackie Traverse (Anishanaabe) Happy Mother’s Day! I frequently sign off my correspondence with the message “best wishes.” Wishing followed by action can fulfill dreams. I learned from an early age to make a wish when I blew out candles on my birthday cake and whenever I saw a seed head of a dandelion. … Read More
Earth Day
“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.”– Chief Seattle This month we celebrate Earth Day. What will you do in honor of Mother Earth? We must act now to live more sustainably. Climate change is … Read More
Be Kind
Life can be overwhelming, especially when there is so much turmoil and pain in the world. Like you, we at the Tribal Trust have been devastated to see the latest news out of Ukraine, and are moved by the resilience of the brave men and women fighting for their democratic freedom. It is true that we … Read More
Stronger Together
“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” – Sitting Bull, Lakota HAPPY NEW YEAR! Our wish for 2022 is to continue to work together with YOU–our kindred spirit donors, partners, and Indigenous friends in fulfilling the mission of the Tribal Trust to share Native wisdom through education and philanthropy in support of Mother … Read More
7 Ways To Preserve Indigenous Culture
This Giving Tuesday and Season we invite you to support the Tribal Trust Foundation’s vital cultural preservation work across the globe. Our focus this year is to provide funding to various initiatives that empower the next generation of Indigenous change makers. By supporting these youth, we know that Native communities will continue to safeguard their traditional ways of life and local environment–continuing the practice of living in harmony with the … Read More