Marina del Rey, California—Sacred Fire Foundation is pleased to present the tenth annual Wisdom Treasure Award to Chief Salaton Ole Ntutu (Maasai-Kenya), recognized as the Cultural Chief and Elder in his village of Maji Moto. A celebration to honor his leadership, wisdom, and service to his community is scheduled for Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California.
Sacred Fire Foundation presents the Wisdom Treasure Award annually to honor the work of an Elder and their lifelong commitment to bringing wisdom, leadership, service, and learning to their people, their community, and their culture. Elders are the keepers—of tradition, of a profound relationship with the living world, and of the Sacred.
Executive Director of Sacred Fire Foundation Kim Langbecker said, "Each year, as we honor the life of an Indigenous Elder, we are reminded of the incredible wisdom Elders in Indigenous cultures carry for all of humanity. This year’s recipient, Salaton Ole Ntutu (Maasai-Kenya), was chosen as a young child to receive the spiritual knowledge of his Ancestors. His life is dedicated to keeping his culture alive and thriving and he is a fierce advocate for the environment. This will be our first in-person event since October 2019. What better occasion to come back together than to honor and celebrate the life of this extraordinary Elder?”
Chief Salaton joins a long list of Elders honored by Sacred Fire Foundation. Recognized as a warrior, shaman, and visionary leader of his semi-nomadic tribe, he is also a key partner and advisor for international non-profit organizations that support the Narok region. He has directed the construction of safe learning environments for children as well as advocated for their scholarships to attend school. In the areas of employment, water, tourism, and education, he champions self-sustaining community projects. As well, Chief Salaton provides a home in the village of Maji Moto for girls rescued from circumcision and early marriage, widows, and women with AIDS. In 2009, Salaton conceived of the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp—a destination for tourists and a meaningful work environment for the Maasai people—as a way to fund these progressive projects and share the value of his Tribe’s traditions.
Sacred Fire Foundation believes that by honoring Elders with the Wisdom Treasure Award, not only is awareness raised about the importance and relevance of their wisdom and perspective, but the world can acknowledge that their qualities—the respectful relationship they maintain with everything around them, the way in which they demonstrate gratitude—are those from which all of humanity can learn. These original instructions are a roadmap for how to live in the world in a good way—a way that is reverent, respectful, sustainable, realizing the sacredness of all life in consideration of future generations.
To find out more about Chief Salaton click here or email Executive Director of Sacred Fire Foundation Kim Langbecker, klangbecker@sacredfirefoundation.org.
About Sacred Fire Foundation:
Founded in 2007, Sacred Fire Foundation (SFF) supports initiatives seeking to ensure the continuance of Indigenous wisdom traditions worldwide. From 2012 to 2020, the Foundation distributed $625,000 in Protecting the Sacred funds to projects throughout North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand that support Indigenous wisdom-keepers, knowledge-holders, and their communities in strengthening their worldviews, sacred teachings, and lifeways. Through programs, events and media, the Foundation expands awareness of how and why Indigenous worldviews and their embodied values are crucial to modern society. The intent is to foster social change and engage people to reawaken to our sacred world and to embrace and integrate Indigenous values in their own lives. To learn more, please visit sacredfirefoundation.org
