Projects

Sacred Ways Foundation directly supports families who keep traditional practices alive. We give unrestricted funds to use in whatever way they need to empower their practice. In addition to direct financial support to indigenous communities, Sacred Ways Foundation funds programs that support indigenous cultural revitalization.

Indigenous Artists Program

The creation and utilization of artistic works is an essential cultural practice for indigenous communities. Sacred Ways supports indigenous artists as a vital form of indigenous cultural expression. Sacred Ways partners with indigenous artists to create inspiring educational materials for distribution online and in their communities. Sacred Ways is committed to supporting indigenous artists so that they can bring their art forward, to create opportunities between Western artists and indigenous communities, such as online exhibitions, and to create exposure to indigenous oral storytelling around environment, nature, and the indigenous cosmovision as their source of inspiration.

Sustainable Ceremonies Program

Many ceremonial objects used in indigenous cultural practices utilize materials that may come from threatened, vulnerable and endangered plants. In the sustainable ceremonies program, Sacred Ways promotes the use of sustainable sources and funds projects that protect the environment where sacred plants and supplies are cultivated.

Archiving and Documentation Program

Intangible cultural works are produced by indigenous communities and held and transmitted in oral traditions. Oral traditions are vulnerable to economic, social and political disruptions, since intangible works by definition are not documented. Sacred Ways supportz projects and initiatives that create the necessary technical foundation, best practices and training so that indigenous communities can document their traditions and similar activities. Archiving and documentation support provides vital continuity between generations and inspires the younger generations to gain and develop digital documentation skills. Support may include grants to indigenous storytellers, artists and cultural leaders for skills-building workshops, digital media production and archiving best-practices.

Indigenous Innovation Program

An important part of Sacred Ways’ mission is to support cultural revitalization so that indigenous communities have the resources to address economic, social and cultural conditions where they live. Sacred Ways supports businesses owned by indigenous communities. For example, Sacred Ways plans to create opportunities for indigenous-owned businesses to establish private partnerships with funders, to conduct capacity building workshops, and to facilitate workshops for indigenous communities to develop innovative and creative ideas and similar activities.