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In 1989, author Harvey Arden co-authored a book that would soon become revered in the Native and non-Native American communities across the US and abroad. The title, Wisdomkeepers - Meetings with Native American Spiritual Elders, would become identified as the single most prominent work documenting the wisdom and teachings of many of this nation’s most articulate and poignant visionaries, Native American Spiritual and Traditional Elders, in the intimate settings of their own homes. They shared their innermost thoughts and feelings, their history, their dreams and visions, their healing remedies and apocalyptic prophecies - and, above all, their humanity. Elders live with, and embrace traditions that offer equal respect to all elements of life.

As a writer for National Geographic, and later as an author, Harvey traveled across the US to meet with scores of Elders; to become a messenger of their thoughts and words. His warm and engaging approach with each Elder gained him respect and trust amongst them. With their confidence and blessings, Arden was able to bring us their lives through his writings. Not only did they provide an oral history of their own people, but also some very important messages for our survival as a race; the human race. Native American Television, Inc. (NATV) will present in cooperation with Wisdomkeepers, L.L.C., a fifty-two minute television documentary, Wisdomkeepers of Virginia. Having roamed the US for many years in search of the voices and images of Native American spiritual elders, we realize we have overlooked the wonderful descendants of Powhatan and Pocahontas in our own "backyard". We have also made contact with other tribes such as the Monacans, who are members of the Siouan Linquistic group. They have resided in the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia for thousands of years. American Indians are alive and well in Virginia, and we have found them. Led by Arden, and Native American Television’s Rick DiMassimo, NATV will visit many of these Elders. We will bring to the screen many that have lived in Virginia during a time when rejection, ignorance, and prejudice from others were commonplace. They have fought hard not only to maintain their cultural identity but to pass it on to the younger generations. Most have found that greater strength as Indian persons depends on the ability to tell their stories, in their own voices. They will not be stereotyped.