| The Worldwide Indigenous Science Network (WISN) was founded in Alberta, Canada, in 1989 as a result of meetings between indigenous elders and western scientists who saw the value and necessity of integrating their two ways of knowing.
Following these initial gatherings, a committee of indigenous and non-indigenous scientists met with Mexika Indians in Mexico to find ways of resolving global, ecological, and community issues through traditional knowledge. A subsequent gathering in July 1990 on the Stony Reservation near Calgary, Alberta, gave rise to the first projects of WISN. Today, our members include tribal elders, scientists, artists, academics, and other professionals from cultures around the world. All share a common vision of rediscovering and applying ancient wisdom and teachings. Over the years since those early gatherings, WISN has built many bridges between western science and traditional science and has worked to preserve and pass on priceless knowledge of healing arts, navigational practice, ceremony, plant cultivation, animal husbandry - in short, skills, which enable native peoples to live in harmony with the land. In addition, we have undertaken ground-breaking work to identify, preserve, and honor sacred sites which are central to the cultural values, and spiritual beliefs upon which these respectful relationships between human and nature depend. We organized, supported, and publicized the work of healers.
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WISN has organized ceremonial gatherings in Thailand, Mexico, Canada, and in numerous communities within the United States and Polynesia. WISN has sent cultural emissaries to Peru, Brazil, India, Sami land, Senegal, and many parts of Europe. Our activities have been covered in the press by the London Observer, Toronto Times, and more than 50 Native newspapers. PBS, CBC, BBC, and New Dimensions Radio have sponsored shows on WISN or its founder, Dr. Apela Colorado. WISN founded the world's only accredited advanced degree program in indigenous wisdom - the Indigenous Mind masters and doctoral programs at Naropa University in Oakland, California.
WISN's first funding home was the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International Division at the University of Calgary, Alberta. This site was designated as CIDA's first "Center of Excellence" in Canada. Since then, we have received and successfully implemented grants ranging from $2,000 to $1,000,000 since our founding in 1989.
Because of our experience in reaching across the divide between ancient wisdom and contemporary practice, we feel especially blessed and challenged by our new project of organizing the Council of Elders. This will support the work of specific tribal healers and wisdom-keepers from around the globe, and bring them together for dialogue and ceremonies at some of the world's leading sacred sites.
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