Ni Uiti, in Yawanawá language, means “heart of the forest”. An expression that represents the Yawanawa Sete Estrelas Village, located on the upper Gregório River in Acre.

The Yawanawá people who live here are part of a large network of indigenous communities who work to preserve the Amazon rainforest through maintaining their culture and spirituality and the land that provides what they call a 'living pharmacy'.

In more recent history, this community and many that live along the river have been experiencing extreme floods and alternating wildfires threatening their livelihood and their ability to maintain their traditions. logging, cattle farming and mining also threaten their territories.

We are reviving this fundrasier as we organize a trip to visit this community in April to bring support and solidarity as well to participate in cultural exchange and education about the forest and the living pharmacy. You can email yawavakeshukuniATgmailDOTCOM for more information and if you are interested in joining us on the trip!

For folks who cannot make the commitment to travel but want to send along support this fundraiser is designed in tandem to our trip and we will hand deliver the funds raised here to the community upon arrival.

*Note, none of the funds raised here go towards the cost of the individuals travelling on the trip. We have all saved up separately for this

Xinu Yawanawa, who will be receiving the money donated here, is a young leader who has reached out for support as he works to protect his community and their traditional ways of being in these uncertain times. With the recent floods, it has been harder to fish along the river, which has fed them for thousands of years. Help us invest in the economy of the forest. Without these opportunities for partnership and collaboration, young people of the village must go to the city and get jobs in forestry, mining and cattle farming, all industries that erodes the jungle landscape and the biodiversity present there.

We are a community of concerned Canadians who value and have great respect for indigenous cultures and ways of being. Inspired by the struggles on Turtle Island (North America) for indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, we strive to be respectful guests of the land we are on and give back to our indigenous siblings around the world.

In 2020 we travelled to Acre, Brazil to find healing and connect with this community who welcomed us with open arms. Members of our group found healing and support for mental and emotional health. We are forever grateful for our time in this sacred place and we are ready to go back. We are invested in helping to ensure the forest and the people who know it and protect it are supported to be able to welcome all people.

Please give today and help protect a vital source of health and healing for future generations. Every dollar donated will go directly to the hands of this community and with your help we will ensure the forest and the people who know its ways are there for many years to come.

Gratidão and Shava Shava!

Taylor, Justin, Clara, and the crew!