Old Ways Herbal School of Plant Medicine gratefully acknowledges that modern herbalism rests squarely on the shoulders of many generations of Black and Brown Herbalists.

It is a facet of institutionalized white supremacy that the public face of professional Herbalism in this country has been a white one, belying the absolutely essential tradition of Herbalists from communities of color, especially Native American and Black communities, as well as the prominence and excellence of professional Herbalists of color.

Since 2014, Old Ways Herbal School of Plant Medicine has been grateful to offer two scholarship programs to students who identify as people of color (POC) originating from oppressed groups and/or groups that are underrepresented in the public face of professional Herbalism.

We consider it an honor for you to consider this school, and it is a great privilege to be able to share knowledge about Herbalism and land stewardship with the descendants of the ancestors whose wisdom laid the foundation of my life’s work.  This knowledge is your birthright.

Wabanaki/Abenaki Scholarships cover 100% of course tuition.  The Old Ways Herbal Botanical Sanctuary is located in N’dakinna, unceded home of the Abenaki, and the vast majority of medicines grown here and used in our apothecary were taught to white colonists by Native herbalists.  Charging members of nations within the Wabanaki Confederacy for herbal knowledge is unjust.  Wliwni, Woliwon, Meegwetch.

BIPOC Scholarships cover 50% of course tuition.  An additional 25% of tuition may be covered via work-trade; however, it is essential that POC students do not feel obligated to trade physical labor for their education.  Too much has been built on the backs of POC already.  If you are a scholarship applicant who would also like to perform work-trade, please consider what kind of work or barter appeals to you beyond garden labor (of course, if you’d like to help in the garden, you totally can–but there’s no obligation).  Work trade Policy here.

The diaspora in me honors the diaspora in you.  Thank you for considering reclaiming your birthright knowledge by my side.

To apply, please write a brief paragraph (1 page MAX, this is not formal) answering the following:

  • What course do you want to take?
  • What community do you belong to?
  • What study in herbalism have you already done (if any, not required)?
  • What do you hope to learn at OWH, or how will this course be useful to you?
  • BIPOC scholarship applicants, if you are planning to also apply for work-trade to further reduce tuition to 25%, what sort of trade do you have in mind?
  • Anything else I should know?

Email it to Juliette using the Contact page on this website.  You can also ask questions through that page prior to registering for a course.

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