The National Society for American Indian Elderly (NSAIE) developed the Knowledge Preservation Project and received funding from the Administration for Native Americans, under the Social and Economic Development grant opportunity:

The NSAIE helped develop Intergenerational programs in partnership with our member tribes to create activities that transfer the knowledge of elders to the next generation.

• This project produced the book, American Indian, Celebrating the Voices, Traditions and Wisdom of Native Americans, available at booksellers across America, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
• Honor the knowledge of elders through a partnership that creates a lasting legacy of their important contribution.
• Helped to develop projects that increase local interest and activities that support knowledge preservation.

An Overview of the NSAIE Knowledge Preservation ProjectThe NSAIE developed projects and activities that would meet the needs and interest of the people we serve.  We knew that the knowledge of Elders was vast and vitally important to their communities.  We understood that Tribes, tribal organizations and Native non-profits were working towards some of the same goals.  We sought to support and enhance those efforts that existed, develop efforts were they were needed and provide the framework for addressing the issues that lead to some of the problems we see in many communities.  The project has helped to build a foundation to make many local projects successful.  The best of the developed projects will continue.  The projects that will continue to be developed and expanded are: Native and community gardens, forest collection projects, traditional and cultural projects, intergenerational projects, book and oral history projects.  Through the knowledge of Elders and their strength and wisdom communities are improving.

American Indian, Celebrating the Voices, Traditions and Wisdom of Native American(cover picture)We set out to produce a book that would enlighten people as to the vibrance of Indian communities, today.  The majority of the editorial contributors, the first person accounts and the art depicted and produced are from Native American contributors.  Where possible every attempt was made to use Native American photographers.  We felt it was important that the information, the perspective and the tone of the project was from Native people themselves. The intent was to produce a work that would provide the material in a way that honors Elders and fosters respect for cultures that are growing and thriving.

American Indian, Celebrating the Voices, Traditions and Wisdom of Native Americans meets not only the intent, but the spirit of the idea behind the project.  The produced work has and will continue to generate a great deal of interest.  We have produced a work that is unique and raises the material to the level of scholarship and presentation it deserves.