Building Community, Guided by Tradition.
Who We Are
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Red Earth Descendants is a grassroots, Indigenous-based organization committed to creating healthy, sustainable community while preserving Native values, traditions and culture. Our core strength is in joining our youth, elders, families and regional tribes together to share knowledge and skills. As we practice healthy community interaction, our goal is to give Native teachings to the next Generations of life.
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R.E.D. has the vision to steward a shared piece of land where our community can strive for sustainability in some of the following ways: cultural gatherings, growing food, creating a seed bank, building earth lodges and an eco-village, holding Ceremony, taking care of our elders, children and each other in a safe and nurturing environment.
The R.E.D Objective
Guided by Elders & Ancestral Knowledge
We follow the teachings of our elders and the wisdom carried through Indigenous prophecies. Their guidance shapes our path and reminds us of our responsibility to carry these traditions forward for the next seven generations.
Building a Sustainable & Connected Community
We work together to create a sustainable land base and a strong, unified community. By caring for one another mentally, physically, & spiritually we create the foundation for true human development.
Honoring Traditions Through Gathering & Action
Through our past seasonal gatherings; Winter Storytelling, Spring Native Stick Games, Summer Elder/Youth Conference and World Peace and Prayer Day, and Fall First Nations Day and Native EcoSymposium, we’d honor our elders and actively live the teachings they share.
Meet Turtle Island Permaculture Institute (TIPI)
Turtle Island Permaculture Institute (TIPI) is an emerging program of Red Earth Descendants (R.E.D.), rooted in the shared vision of living in right relationship with the land, our community, and ourselves. Guided by Indigenous knowledge and values, TIPI supports the restoration of balance through land-based learning and practice.
Our Team
Dan Wahpepah
FounderDan Wahpepah is from the Anishinabe, Kickapoo and Sac & Fox tribes. He grew up with his community’s cultural ways and ceremonies. Dan started the Rogue Valley Pow Wow, American Indian Cultural Center (now the Southern Oregon Indian Center), Red Earth Descendants and Turtle Island Permaculture Institute. He sits on the boards of Natives of One Wind Indigenous Alliance, Rogue Climate, and Water League.
Jaimie Bernhagen
Co DirectorJaimie Bernhagen, Co-Director of Red Earth Descendants and committed advocate for the survival of cultural, social and environmental integrity, brings 20 years of grassroots, non-profit experience to her current passion as a community-builder and administrator for Turtle Island Permaculture Institute.
While Jaimie has devoted years to community projects, her most precious commitments live in the realm of being a mother, grandmother, sister and auntie to a large blended inter-tribal family.
Jaimie has co-directed Red Earth Descendants since 2006, a grassroots community service organization based in Southern Oregon. In this capacity, she sits on the Board of Directors for “Natives of One Wind Indigenous Alliance,” a local 501c3 which includes both Red Earth Descendants and Unete Center for Farmworkers Advocacy. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the “Karl LaDue Wodakota Foundation,” also a 501c3, with the Looking Horse family, supporting World Peace and Prayer Day for over 20 years, along with the work Arvol Looking Horse leads to support wellness and youth/elder projects on South Dakota reservations.
Jaimie taught preschool for 20 years, worked in finance administration for Southern Oregon University, has raised three amazing humans, and now enjoys two beautiful grandchildren and dozens of adopted nieces and nephews. As an advocate for elders, children and young adults, Jaimie has dedicated most of her adult life to the integration of health and wellness within vulnerable communities. She is also a fierce advocate for sobriety and recovery, and the rematriation of land—with the restoration of Indigenous traditions being led by women who share the sacred bond to earth and the caretaking of our earth ways.
Community Partners & Collaborators
Red Earth Descendants is grateful for the many organizations, tribal communities, educators, farmers, land stewards, and community leaders who have collaborated with us throughout the years. Additional partners include regional tribal partners, Grange associations, seed swap networks, cultural organizations, and community initiatives throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California.