Who We Are
Circles of Empowerment was founded by and continues to thrive by virtue of its community members and their passion for ceremony, engaged service and mentoring the next generation.
Stepping into and carrying the medicine of leadership is a beautiful responsibility; we are honored by how these community members show up with integrity and commitment to our legacy.
Our Board governs the vision and mission and meets on a regular basis to attend to the strategic needs of the organization. Overseeing the spiritual needs of the community is our Wisdom Council, comprised of founding members, Spiritual Leads, Lodge Leads, Elders, Wisdomkeepers and respected relatives and leaders from neighboring communities.
Elders' Wisdom Council
Clan Mother Hua Anwa
Grandmother Maheewah Standing Woman
Grandfather Semuki Medicine Maker
Grandfather White Wolf, Robert Switzer
Grandmother Willowheart, Jade Bracken
Grandmother Rio Salcedo
Grandmother Skywalker
Grandmother Quiet Thunder
Circles of Empowerment was founded by and continues to thrive by virtue of its community members and their passion for ceremony, engaged service and mentoring the next generation.
How Circles of Empowerment’s Finances Work
Circles of Empowerment has been 100% volunteer driven since our inception.
We rely on our community for everything – to do the work and the play – thereby keeping our financial needs relatively low and our member engagement relatively high. In an effort to be clear in our intentions and integrity, we are committed to being financially accountable and transparent.
In 2015, we filed for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. This has been a year long process involving the engagement of our Board and General Council and we are proud of reaching this pivotal point in our organization's development. Although we have been tax exempt through state filings since 2005, the federal status allows us to pursue additional grant funding.