World Council of Elders

The Elders are wisdom-keepers selected by their own people to carry the ancient knowledge and traditional lifeway of their peoples. For millennia, they have carried oral histories, healing wisdom, spiritual practices, accumulated knowledge and experience of their natural environment, stewardship of their sacred lands, and an amazing knowledge of the cosmos among so many other things. The Elders speak their native language, practice their traditional ceremonies, and are responsible to maintaining the integrity of the ancient wisdom and passing it along to subsequent generations. They have much to teach modern cultures about compassion, and living in balanced and sustainable harmony with each other and our precious Mother Earth.

World Council of Elders works with two types of these indigenous wisdom-keepers. First, there are the elder Elders who still live very traditionally, often with no or very little contact with modern cultures. Many of them are the prophecy-keepers, and are the ultimate authorities and teachers for the spiritual beliefs, and healing wisdom of their peoples.

The other indigenous wisdom-keepers are what we often call “the bridge builders.” They are usually the life-long students of the elder Elders, and have been chosen by their people as emissaries who walk between the two worlds, the indigenous worldview and that of modern cultures. Most have learned a western language in addition to their native tongue, and many have at least some western education. In addition, they have some familiarity with modern communications and transportation technologies as well as working in a money economy. The elder Elders have given their permission for these individuals to come forward to share certain ancient teachings when the time is right, when more people in the world are ready to understand and integrate them into their everyday worldview and practices. According to the Elders, we are now in this all important time of transformation.In the coming weeks and months, we will be adding more specific information about the world’s traditional indigenous Elders. We will include photos of the Elders, and share the messages they wish to reveal to all peoples at this time. You will also enjoy stories from the Elders themselves on many subjects including why they are coming forward at this special time.

Council members will advise world leaders and conduct teachings for the public on topics such as: peace and reconciliation; restoration of sacred lands; disclosure of sacred documents; sharing of traditional healing methods; preservation of native languages and ceremonies; and ecological balance and sustainability. In addition, Council members will help form local and regional councils to carry out the vision of the Elders and the mission of the World Council of Elders, Inc. at all levels of community.