'Grandma Aggie' promotes a sustainable lifestyle on WPSU

Agnes Baker Pilgrim travels world to spread message of peace, conservation

The idea of moving toward a more sustainable world may be daunting, but Agnes Baker Pilgrim, more lovingly known as Grandma Aggie, has a straightforward, spiritual approach to reconnecting with the land. She is a Takelma Indian Elder and has formed an alliance with 12 other women throughout the world to create a council of grandmothers. She will share her thoughts about protecting the earth on the next "Conversations from Penn State."

"We are spiritual leaders and medicine women. We have something to offer the world," said Pilgrim, referring to the members of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. "We have peace and love in our hearts, and we want to start a new history with peace and love in our hearts throughout the world."

"Conversations from Penn State" is a new series, hosted by veteran interviewer Patty Satalia. The program offers thoughtful, in-depth exchanges with a broad range of remarkable people. In many cases, their trailblazing work has advanced their field and drawn national and worldwide attention.

Grandma Aggie said she maintains indigenous ways through dance and music, costume and ceremony. She speaks about the wisdom and spirituality that exudes from older generations of people.

"We are the wisdom-keepers of all people and I think that the knowledge needs to come forward, not only out of us 13 grandmas, but all grandparents have that knowledge," Pilgrim said.

The show will air on the Big Ten Network at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, and it will re-air at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 and at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 24. The show will also air on WPSU-TV at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. To see this and previous shows, visit http://conversations.psu.edu online.

At 84-years-old, Pilgrim is the oldest member of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. Grandma Aggie helped to found this dynamic group of women in 2004. The Oregon Council of the Arts has described her as a "living cultural legend," and she's known as a "living treasure" by her tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. She travels the world to pray for peace and the care of Mother Earth. She hails from the Rogue River Valley of southwest Oregon.

For more than 20 years, Patty Satalia has engaged dynamic individuals from all walks of life and areas of expertise. No matter the guest, Satalia approaches each conversation with the same dedication to research and with a passion for helping people share their stories and insights with the world.

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