Elder Wisdom Mapping

Where do you seek wisdom?

“We are a part of nature, and it is a part of us.”
Sally Cole-Misch

“Every moment instructs, and every object: for wisdom is infused into every form.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“People say to think seven generations ahead when making big decisions, because our future ancestors – those yet to arrive, who will one day become the Elders – live with the choices we make today.”
Angeline Boulley

An activity to trace where one seeks advice, wisdom, opportunity for realizations. Explore this page for examples and downloadable instructions to bring this project to your community.

What is Elder Wisdom Mapping?

Elder Wisdom Mapping was conceived when reading Monroe County’s 2024 “One Book, One Community” choice: Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley and the companion book: The Best Part of Us, by Sally Cole-Misch. Both books consider the question:

How can we best carry our elders’ knowledge of the Great Lakes region forward to face the challenges and opportunities we encounter today?

We invited attendees of Monroe County’s OBOC Kickoff event to consider their experiences and ideas of where their have sought wisdom, and they mapped it!

Follow along with their responses below, then download our activity guide to bring the project to your community!

Cover Image: Late January Afternoon by John Schultz

Download our
Elder Wisdom Mapping
Activity Guide

The Question:

Where do you seek Wisdom?

Ask participants to consider where they seek their wisdom, advice, and opportunity for realizations.

They can also consider:

How can we best carry our elders’ knowledge of the Great Lakes region forward to face the challenges and opportunities we encounter today?
What are your words of wisdom? What do you want to share with others going forward?
What can you share with others about place, nature, and family?

The Activity:

This activity can be done alone, in a group, or shared amongst family and friends.

Discuss your answers to the questions above, then write them on the sticky notes provided. Match the color of the sticky note to one of the wisdom categories:

People ● Places ● Nature ● Words ● Objects ● Sounds ● Other

The Map:

Add your answers to a shared map.

Explore others’ answers and learn from your community. Notice where the notes cluster– are there any categories that are more popular than others? Do you notice any repeat answers?

View Some of Our Responses:

People

Hover or click to flip

People

My children
Best friend
Husband
Parents
Friends
Grandmother
Family
My son, Liam
Coworkers
Aunt/Uncle
Bill Stapp (professor)
Sangha Church Community
Memories of what my dad would say

Places

Hover or click to flip

Places

The library
Home
MCCC Library
Monroe County Library System

Nature

Hover or click to flip

Nature

Lake Louise Glaciers
Outdoors Anywhere
The wind, the wood, the people I pass as I run. They allow space to contemplate ideas & solutions
Woods, water
I love trees. I love to listen to them and talk with them. They are wonderful friends.
A walk with my dog!
Running in nature
The ocean, what the tide brings in and what it takes.
My backyard garden
Lake, Mountain, Woods
Mountains
The dog beach at the salty ocean
Lake
Animals