Kim Langbecker
on Indigenous Elders’ Values and Seeds of Wisdom
What if companies replaced Boards of Advisors with Elders Councils?
Kim Langbecker shares Rain’s view, the tribal filmmaker, that “every person on Earth is descended from a tribe, whether they know it, accept it, or acknowledge it; everybody is Indigenous to Earth.”
Her life’s essence stands in stepping away from a consumer-based society and focusing on (re)building trust-based, long-time enduring relationships with each other. Kim wholeheartedly believes that a return to the values that Indigenous Peoples around the world carry - respect, reciprocity, reverence, and humility, is not only desperately needed in the world today, but the key that might help all of us forge such unbreakable bonds. Indigenous philosophy is community-minded: “Share what you have, even though you may not have a lot!”
This was her calling - making sure the stories of kindness, resilience and strength were being told by the original voices: Elders. As we seek answers to some of the world’s biggest challenges, their voices, their worldview and wisdom represented by their unique cultural backgrounds and lived experiences are more vital now than ever, “as they are a living reminder that everything is sacred and we are interconnected to the web of life.”
Kim Langbecker worked in the social sector and even the music business for over 20 years as an executive director, event producer, and strategic development consultant. Now, she is the Executive Director of Seeds of Wisdom, an ally to and in support of Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination in their efforts to strengthen and revitalize their traditions, ceremonies, and teachings through grassroots funding and empowering the next generation of storytellers. They’re the ones who still want to gather around the fire to share stories and teachings to receive guidance and visions from the Ancestors.
They are guided by an Elders Council, and Kim dares every human and organization to “find a mentor, an Elder, whom you admire and respect; learn from each other; don’t be afraid to be bold and stand in your truth.”
We have much to learn from Indigenous perspectives, about resilience, the interconnectedness of all life, and our responsibility to each other and the planet. When you feel lonely or when you feel that you don’t have a community and you are not connected, look for it, even if it is just one other person: “Look for those people that you can feel that sense of connection with, and where you feel safe, and where you can share in an honest and open way.”
Read Kim Langbecker’s answers for Inspirators and keep in mind that “making a difference doesn’t mean you have to change the world, you simply have to change how you interact with the world.”
Thank you, Kim, for being a Seed of Wisdom!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Kim Langbecker
Company / Institution: Seeds of Wisdom
Title: Executive Director
Website: https://www.seedsofwisdom.earth
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimlangbecker/
Country of origin: United States
Country you currently live in: United States
Your personal definition of Regeneration: I see regeneration as a way to understand our role as good stewards of the planet. As we became more industrialized, more consumer-centric, extracting every last bit of natural resources for short-term gain, we lost the connection to the Earth, that provides us all we need – if we just take care of her in return.
Main business challenge you face: As a social profit working in support of Indigenous Peoples around the world, we are, like so many others, always in survival mode. Social profits are the glue that holds society together. We are doing the work on the ground, locally, that businesses and government can’t or won’t do. But we’re expected to do it with fewer resources and support.
Main driver that keeps you going: I believe wholeheartedly that a return to the values that Indigenous People around the world carry – respect, reciprocity, reverence, and humility, is desperately needed in the world today.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: My collaborative spirit.
The trait you most value in others: Vulnerability.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Travel, reading, cooking, being with loved ones, the natural world.
The #inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path: First and foremost, the Indigenous Elders, knowledge holders, and wisdom keepers I have had the privilege of knowing, including Pauline Tangiora (Maori), Tom Porter (Mohawk), and Marcos Terena (Xane)!
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: Don’t overcomplicate things. The solutions are far simpler than we make them out to be.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: "Eco-friendly", "green", "together for change".
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: Find a mentor, an Elder, whom you admire and respect. Learn from each other. Don’t be afraid to be bold and stand in your truth.
Books that had a great impact on you:
Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change by Sherri Mitchell
Buddha in Red Face by Eduardo Duran
Traditional Ecological Knowledge by Melissa K. Nelson
Designing Regenerative Cultures by Daniel Christian Wahl
Earth to Tables Legacies: Multimedia Food Conversations across Generations and Cultures by Deborah Barndt, Lauren Baker and Alexandra Gelis
Movies or Documentaries you would watch all over again: Too many to list! Whale Rider is at the top!
Blogs / Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: Regenerative Voices podcast.
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Anything by Prince.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Aotearoa, Ecuador, South Africa, Zimbabwe – all the places I’ve been had an impact in one way or the other.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Judith Schwartz - Environmental Journalist & Author
Felipe Villela - Environmental entrepreneur and Founder of reNature
Reem Hassani - Co-Founder, Chief Brand Officer and Artist of Numi Tea
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Decolonizing practices, a return to Indigenous perspectives and innovations such as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
Best places for business networking (online or offline): LinkedIn.
Events we should attend: Metamorphosis Forum on November 9 in NYC!
Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses, trainings, or certifications that really teach us: Regenesis Institute for Regenerative Practice, The Garrison Institute Pathways to Planetary Health.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: There is always hope. No matter how bleak things may look. The human potential for innovation is vast. We just need to have the courage.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: We have our share of challenges – from the climate crisis, conflicts and violence, political divisions, the constant assault on women’s rights…the list goes on. But for all of these challenges, there are opportunities and visionaries who are working every day to bring about real and lasting change.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Holistic systems thinking. Aligning personal and professional (including business) purpose, with values and goals. Long-term thinking. Commitment to sustainability.
The #inspirator you are endorsing for a future edition of the newsletter is: Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
The quote that inspires you:
“Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind. Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary people in such a time? Know that You yourself are essential to this world. Understand both the blessing and the burden of that. You yourself are desperately needed to save the Soul of this world. Did you think you were put here for something less?” (Chief Arvol Looking Horse,19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
