Elders in Training Project

Team Members:
Aliza Brown, Quinault
Clysta Cole, Inuit
Christina Roberts, Gros Ventre/Assiniboine
Brandi Douglas, Puyallup

The Elders in Training team hosted two All My Relations Creative Circles to foster a safe, open, and supportive space for Native community members to celebrate how art can communicate and move you through challenging life experiences, including trauma. Participants were gifted with self-care kits to further their healing.

Team Takeaways:
Elders in Training embarked on the All My Relations Creative Circle journey with trauma awareness and our youth as a focal point. After several in-depth discussions, the team realized that in order to best support our youth, we had to bring the focus back to the root, parents/guardians. With great care and consideration, the objective not only re-centered to parental support, but expanded to caregiver support – those who nurture our most vulnerable loved ones, who tend to future generations, elders and anyone in need in-between. Our target audience was self-identified Indigenous caregivers in Washington State.

Over the course of two events, each participant received a curated art kit, as well as a self-care package, brimming with local goodies from Native-owned businesses. Each event has a raffle as well. In a safe, private and nurturing virtual setting, participants received careful instruction on a simple art project, engaged in conversation, and took in good medicine, aka, laughter.

Donors and Partners:
Salish Style
Eighth Generation
Ezekiel Serrano
Eugena Buena-Douglas
Sarah P.
Joelle P.
Madeleine S.
Charles L.
Native Action Network

About the Logo

The artwork Time of Wisdom was created for the Elders in Training team by Quinault Tribal Member, Ezekiel Serrano. The woman is taking in knowledge and light, learning new things to help her people prosper. Her hand carries the crescents symbolizing season after season of busy hands that carried her into adulthood. The nets symbolize the season of spirituality and time of wisdom that is flowing into her hair that is beginning to transform. She carries the crescents on her back symbolizing strength, leadership and change.
​ Her cedar is inspired by our great grandfathers of old, masters of the Quinault and Chinookan trade route. it depicts one tribe, one people from the oceans to the rivers, through the mountains and into the plains, and all Indigenous people that the sun rises on.