Our Origin Story

Here is where our own origin story begins.

Over 800 years ago, three courageous individuals brought the world’s oldest participatory democracy into being – the Iroquois Confederacy. The Peacemaker, Hiawatha and Jigonhsasee (the Mother of Nations) began a conversation about living in peace and five warring nations literally “buried the hatchet” under a white pine tree ending years of bloody conflict. When these native nations bound themselves together, they adopted the Great Law of Peace as their decision-making guide.

The Great Law of Peace: “In our every deliberation, we must honor the past seven generations and consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”

– Shared by Paula Underwood, Native American Elder and Keeper of a 10,000-year-old oral history.

Our founder, Stephanie Nestlerode has long been holding a vision of creating a space to learn what matters – a treasure trove of resources, learning and support available in-person and online for the good of the world. Her passion and ability to gather skilled colleagues around her has grown this vision  into a reality. Come learn and explore with us!