LIVING TREASURES AWARD

   The Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS) makes this award to “exceptionally distinguished” indigenous shamans “where their age-old knowledge of shamanism and shamanic healing is in danger of extinction.” “Living treasure” designation includes an annual lifetime stipend enabling these shamans to continue their shamanic work. It has been awarded to Tibetan shaman Wangchuk, living in exile in Nepal, as well as to shamans in the Amazon, Brazil, Siberia, and Tuva. The award also enables the FSS to study these shamans and record their practices for posterity. The benevolent intentions of the foundation notwithstanding, critics have raised questions of the long-term implications of such an award and the position of the FSS as arbiter of who is and who is not a “real” shaman worthy of their fiscal recognition.