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.
On the first Tribal Trust Foundation (TTF) trip to Bhutan’s Monpaland in 2014, medicinal plant healer Ap Tawla tearfully requested TTF’s help to document his ancestral knowledge so that his essential wisdom would be preserved after his death. TTF responded to his request by creating this book. It brings honor, awareness, and recognition of the Monpa natural healer as a living treasure. Three Monpa apprentices are now learning from him. Furthermore, the field surveys, conducted by staff of the Tarayana Foundation and the National Biodiversity Center of Bhutan, brought national recognition of the merits of his indigenous healing practice. A PDF copy of Monpa Medicinal Plants: Indigenous Knowledge from a Himalayan Healer is now available on our website so that we can share this knowledge with the world! READ HERE.
As Seeta Giri, a Bhutanese researcher on this project reports, “this book captures the Monpa people’s deep knowledge of the medicinal plants that thrive in their environment and support their traditional healing practices. This is among the many features that demonstrate their wisdom and resilience, having lived in isolation for generations away from mainstream development.”
Monpa Healer Ap Tawla. Photo by Barry Schaffer.
The Tribal Trust is very grateful to LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics for providing the financial support for this book.
Please note, we have only 75 hardcover books available for sale. Come and get a signed copy now from the author, Dr. Dawn Murray at a book signing this month in Santa Barbara on Monday, September 12! Learn more and reserve your book by clicking here.Â
SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD
INDIGENOUS WISDOM IN BHUTAN!
The territory is our body.
It is also the location of the
natural resources and
social wealth of our communities.
We are the guardians of the
territories, of the rivers,
of the continuity of life. We
understand the cycles of the moon,
the spirituality of grandmothers,
and the secrets of all the rituals of
our communities. So when a
corporation comes in and tries to
destroy that social fabric and symbols of the
community, the damage done is very deep.
We are there to prevent this.
Indigenous women defenders
are making a lot of contributions and
often they are not recognized.Â
— Ana Maria Hernandez
Land defender and director of grantee partner Consortio Oaxaca,
a coalition of feminist activists in Mexico.
We are most grateful to you for being part of our Tribal Trust community. Together, we are preserving essential indigenous wisdom to help safeguard our future. Best wishes,
Barbara
Barbara Savage
Founder & Executive Director
Tribal Trust Foundation
PLEASE SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE
TRIBAL TRUST FOUNDATION
The Tribal Trust Foundation is located in the unceded homelands of the Chumash People and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. By recognizing these communities, we attempt to honor their legacies, their lives, and descendants. To learn more about the Indigenous People’s land on which your home or work sits, visit: native-land.ca
