A Living Intertribal Elders Knowledge Network

L to R: sam hogue, corrina pino, and ted hibbeler

Our Identity

The Circle also serves students in grades 7–12, parents, families, Indian Education programs, tribal communities, colleges, and universities.

Our distinguishing strength is that as Indigenous elders, we are not simply advisors. We are active participants in transmitting knowledge, strengthening relationships, developing leadership, and helping Indigenous families navigate educational systems.

Our Mission

The Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle advances Indigenous educational success through elder-guided mentorship, student and family advocacy, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and culturally grounded leadership. We empower Indigenous students, parents, and educators with the knowledge, relationships, and advocacy skills necessary to navigate educational systems, strengthen cultural identity, and achieve academic and career aspirations.

Connecting Generations Through Wisdom, Education, and Advocacy

The Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle brings together Indigenous elders, students, families, educators, and tribal communities to strengthen educational opportunities, cultural identity, and intergenerational relationships.

Through educational advocacy, mentorship, and culturally grounded guidance, the Circle supports Indigenous students in achieving their academic, higher education, and career goals. We also provide advocacy education and training for parents, students, school personnel, and Indian Education Parent Advisory Committees to strengthen meaningful participation in educational decision-making.

Grounded in Indigenous knowledge, kinship, and the wisdom of our elders, we promote student leadership, cultural teachings, family engagement, and collaboration among tribal communities and educational institutions.

Our commitment is to preserve wisdom, mentor future generations, connect communities, and strengthen Indigenous voices in education.

Vital Distinction: Advocacy and Advocacy Training

Providing two distinct services in our materials –

1. Educational Advocacy: The Circle supports Indigenous students and families in understanding educational opportunities, navigating institutional systems, communicating with educators and administrators, and pursuing academic and career goals.

2. Advocacy Education and Training: The Circle equips students, parents, Indian Education Parent Advisory Committees, educators, and school administrators with knowledge and practical skills to advocate effectively for Indigenous student success.

This distinction is important because it demonstrates that we aim to do more than advocate for Indigenous students. We are seeking to also teaches Indigenous students and families how to advocate for themselves and future generations.

Services

Indigenous Student Educational Advocacy College & Career Readiness Parent, Student & Educator Advocacy Training Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Guidance Intergenerational Mentorship & Elder Guidance Indigenous Cultural Knowledge & Traditional Teachings Youth Leadership Development & Empowerment Tribal, School & Community Engagement Indigenous Student Wellness, Identity & Belonging Educational Workshops, Talking Circles & Guest Presentations

Preserve wisdom, mentor future generations, connect communities, and strengthen Indigenous voices in education

Connect with our Elder’s Circle

We welcome opportunities for educational partnerships, mentorship, and community engagement.

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Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle Selected to Present at the 2026 MCCCD American Indian Student Conference

Knowledge Lives Through Relationships: Honoring Elders, Strengthening Communities, and Inspiring Future Generations

The Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle — A Living Intertribal Elders Knowledge Network, proudly sponsored by In His Spirit, Inc., is pleased to announce that its founding elders have been selected to present at the 2026 Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) American Indian Student Conference, scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, at GateWay Community College in Phoenix, Arizona.

The presentation, “Knowledge Lives Through Relationships: Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle,” will feature three distinguished Indigenous elders: Ted Hibbeler (Sicangu Lakota), Sam Hogue (Diné), and Corrina Pino (Akimel O’odham). Together, they represent decades of dedicated service to Native American students, families, educational institutions, and tribal communities.

Through an intergenerational panel discussion, the founding elders will share their lived experiences, cultural perspectives, and educational knowledge, demonstrating how trusted relationships, cultural identity, storytelling, belonging, and responsibility strengthen Indigenous student resilience, educational achievement, and leadership development.

Building Relationships Across Generations

Central to the Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle is the understanding that Indigenous knowledge is living knowledge, preserved and carried forward through relationships among elders, youth, families, educators, and communities.

The presentation will explore how culturally grounded mentorship and reciprocal relationships can strengthen educational pathways while honoring the distinct cultural identities, values, and teachings of Indigenous nations.

An important component of the Circle’s developing vision is establishing an intergenerational mentorship network connecting elders with current students, Hoop of Learning alumni, Youth Council members, families, educational professionals, and Native-serving organizations.

Through this network, elders and alumni can share knowledge, provide guidance, encourage educational persistence, support leadership development, and inspire younger generations to become mentors, advocates, and good relatives within their own communities.

Culture, Community, and College Success

The presentation directly supports the conference’s emphasis on Culture, Community, and College Success, recognizing that educational achievement is strengthened when students experience cultural belonging, meaningful relationships, family engagement, and opportunities to contribute to their communities.

Drawing upon decades of professional experience and principles reflected in the peer-reviewed 2002 publication, “The Hoop of Learning: A Holistic, Multisystemic Model for Facilitating Educational Resilience among Indigenous Students,”the elders will discuss culturally responsive educational pathways, mentorship, community partnerships, and the importance of connecting students with supportive networks.

Participants will be encouraged to identify practical approaches to strengthening elder-youth relationships, alumni mentorship, student leadership, and culturally respectful engagement within schools, colleges, tribal programs, Parent Advisory Committees, Youth Councils, and Native-serving organizations.

A Living Network of Knowledge and Responsibility

The Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle recognizes that the wisdom accumulated through a lifetime of experience carries both value and responsibility. Its founders envision a network in which elders remain active contributors to education, cultural continuity, community wellness, and the development of future generations.

Their selection to present at the 2026 MCCCD American Indian Student Conference represents an important opportunity to introduce this vision, establish meaningful connections, and encourage collaborative relationships among generations and institutions.

The Circle extends its appreciation to the MCCCD American Indian Student Conference Planning Committee for recognizing the importance of intergenerational Indigenous knowledge and providing a platform for the founding elders to share their experiences and aspirations.

Knowledge lives through relationships. Wisdom grows through sharing. Strong communities emerge when elders, youth, families, and educators walk together with purpose, respect, and responsibility.

Active Wisdom Elder’s Circle
A Living Intertribal Elders Knowledge Network

Conference: 2026 MCCCD American Indian Student Conference
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Location: GateWay Community College, Phoenix, Arizona