We stand on the shoulders of the following elders

We express our deep gratitude to them by sharing words from Paula Underwood's dedication in her book, The Great Hoop of Life, Volume 1

"To all those, old and young, who sat in patient circles over countless generations adding mind to mind to create this learning tool . . .

To all those, young and old, who sit in patient circles now, adding heart to mind in growing awareness of possibility . . .

To all these, this present dance on words on pages is most gratefully dedicated."

Paula Underwood 's grandfather's grandmother began the task of Keeping an Ancient Way of Learning safely preserved until a future generation could give it as a gift to all Earth's children with Listening Ears.

This Learning Way from the Oneida begins with the assumption that it is the responsibility of each of us to learn to understand who we individually are, the unique way in which we learn, what we need from our community and what we can give in return.  

It is the responsibility of the community to enable and encourage these understandings in the most effective ways it is able to devise.  

You may learn more about Paula's story on this site hosted by Paula's dedicated students.

Grandmother Tu Moonwalker, of Apache and South American native American heritage, focused on bringing sacredness into our daily lives.  

She died in her home surrounded by family and friends in 2011. She died as she lived, celebrating life.

Grandmother LánéSáan Moonwalker’s lineages are Apache, Yoeme, and Ashkenazi. 

She is an oracle, healer, environmental guardian and spiritual teacher  She began her training in the healing arts at age 12 and learned to work with creative expression as a doorway to spirit.  

She is a practitioner of the Moonwalker medicine way be being.

 As a wisdom keeper, her words are, “As Earth Mother’s children, our work is to tend to nature in a sacred way.  If we don't,  we are lost.”

Here is an interview with Grandmother LánéSáan Moonwalker focused on earth guardianship.

Joshua Konkankoh is a peace broker and facilitator in Global South-North Partnerships between impact organizations and international development agencies that work to amplify systems change.

He is an Indigenous elder, network weaver, and social entrepreneur who combines emergent digital network weaving in conscious food systems with regenerative permaculture principles, mindful environmental leadership actions, and climate resilience to reduce social inequalities and advance economic resilience.

He designs and facilitates collaborations between African systems change leaders and regenerative businesses based in the Global North to advance nature-based solutions and local development community of practice models for water, food and agroecological transformations.

You may learn more about his work here.