Dr. Apela Colorado was among the first generation of Native Americans to receive a Ph.D. from a leading US university (Brandeis). In her doctoral dissertation she coined the term “indigenous science” and used it in an effort to create a bridge of understanding between Western science and indigenous knowledge.
Provided consultation on the integration of indigenous knowledge within higher education curriculum development, and was appointed International Fellow to the South African Research Chair in Development Education.
Brought together Indigenous Elders and big cat conservationists to discuss new forms of conservation, bridging the two ways of knowing. Indigenous cultural practitioners developed a statement that was presented at the UN Forum for Big Cat Conservation–the first time ever that Indigenous Elders were given a seat at the table on conservation issues.
Partnered with South African Bushmen, Canada’s Nechi Institute’s addictions program, and PROMETRA, Promotion of Traditional Medicine, to design and deliver a culture-based treatment to the Kalahari—a first on the African continent. In 2016, we completed Phase I, sponsoring a Community Addictions Treatment program, training sober Bushmen how to support their community during Phase II.
WISN was invited to present two workshops, the Indigenous Mind, academic program as ceremony, and Indigenous Dreaming. More than 400 organizations applied.
“…I was a teacher at the school, I dreamed to write a book which every parent could use. I was the first person who translated horoscopes “Human capabilities”, “Humans, we are amazing beings” from Russian literatures and gave to regional newspapers for the publication. It was a sensation at that time. Once one of the […]
Photo by Mark Zekhuis, c/o SLC. Raisins, dark purple and transparent gold, the currency of the Silk Road, fill a small plate on the rough-hewn table top of our Tien Shen mountain lodge. Central Asian fruit is in season and Marco Polo might have written a chapter on the flavor alone. In the first moment […]
Representing four corners of the earth—Asia, Africa, Europe, and North/South America—big cat shamans gathered with big cat scientists in historic meetings in the Caves of Southern France. They met in ceremony and dialogue to discuss ways to work together to save critically endangered sacred species, sacred sites, and indigenous cultures. In the presence of shamans […]
Dr. Colorado and other team members will present on indigenous methodologies and dreamwork at the 7th annual “Healing Our Spirits Worldwide” conference.
Dr. Colorado will be presenting “Indigenous and Western Sciences: At a Crossroads – Can This Relationship be Saved?” at a NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration)-affiliated event at the University of Hawai’i, Hilo.
WISN will be attending the 23rd Annual Hawaii Conservation Conference, which allows participants to discover first-hand, the innovative and collaborative ways in which Hawai‘i Island conservation projects come together to protect some of the largest, most endangered, native habitats in Hawai’i.