THE SOFIE FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED TO BE OF SERVICE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS WISDOM
TO GIVE A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS:
The waters, the earth, the plants, the animals, and the ancestors in a humble and respectful way. It is our belief that all forms of life, human and nonhuman, deserve respect, and that it is our duty to be of service to this ancient wisdom in a benevolent way.
INDIGENOUS
adjective: in·dig·e·nous | in-ˈdi-jə-nəs
1: produced, growing, living, or occurring natively or naturally in a particular region or environment | indigenous plants | the indigenous culture
2: innate, inborn
AT SOFIE WE ENVISION A WORLD
where indigenous life is honored and where the diversity of nature thrives.
We recognize indigenous life, both human and non-human, to be a source of ancient wisdom.
We recognize this wisdom is threatened with extinction and strive to help those that understand it best protect it, so that we can all learn from it, before it is too late.
With the help of extremely generous individuals such as yourself, we act as an educational and fundraising entity to support various projects that are aligned with this vision.
We believe this will not only help us heal ourselves, but will help heal the world.
The same story is happening all over the globe:
the story of cultures losing their traditions, their language, their wisdom, and their ways of living in direct relationship to nature.
Today, many tribes have already lost their elders and are struggling to recover and revive their ancient languages and traditions, desperately trying to keep ahold of their benevolent and sustainable ways of life. While most humans on this planet have succumbed to “civilized”, “logical”, post-industrial, and modern ways of living – and are facing the many disadvantages inherent in such an approach – there is a vital need, more than ever, to preserve, protect, and support the continuation of indigenous peoples’ and cultures – for the sake of all life on earth.
Today, 9.2 percent of the living languages have fewer than 10 speakers, 10 percent of all languages are already extinct, and as many as half of the world’s 7,000 languages are expected to be extinct by the end of this century if no revitalization efforts are made. For the first time since the demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago we face a global mass extinction of wild life. Over 60% of the world’s fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles have been wiped out over the past four decades, largely because of human activity. 80% of the earth’s forests have been cut, and all in the name of profit. The abundant nature that surrounds us has been taken advantage of and studies predict that our natural resources will all be gone in this century if we continue to ignore the natural world.
Nature is deeply intelligent. Nature deserves our attention and it’s time we listen. At SOFIE we believe the knowledge that indigenous cultures have nurtured and passed on for thousands of years are our best hope to reconnect to this intelligence. And to a more prosperous way of living and being on this planet.
With the help of our many partners — from extremely generous individuals and governments, to local nonprofits and corporations — we act as a fundraising entity to support various projects that are aligned with this vision.
Support Indigenous Wisdom
HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THIS MISSION AND VISION?
Through the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff — including healers, teachers, entrepreneurs, ethnobotanists, filmmakers, and more — we support a variety of projects including but not limited to:
Rainforest Conservation
Medicinal Plant Research
Documentary Film Production
Indigenous Projects
Education Philanthropy
Awareness Initiatives
Support Indigenous Wisdom
Volunteer Opportunities
