A gathering of women from all Juruá Valley in Brazil – 13 indigenous tribes united to share, strengthen the production, and improve product quality of their crafts, which are their traditional culture inherited from their ancestors, sustainably extracting material from the forest and transforming in art, which are mainly the only income for indigenous families.
.jpg)
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WORK
Symbiosis, a mutually beneficial relationship between different species, groups, or people. A powerful concept that points to the impact of partnership; the help that we receive in helping others. To the indigenous people of the Amazon Rainforest, symbiosis with the forest is written into the origin of their ancestries- a rainforest that supplies 20% of the world’s oxygen. In their plight against governmental corruption that threatens to take their land and exploit their natural resources, so too do they pray. They pray for the forest and the over 10 million species that call it home; they pray for the continuity of their ancestral way of life; they pray for their protection—and they truly pray for all of humanity and creation. They strive to protect the air we breath and wish us peace and harmony; what do we have to offer in attempt to build partnership with these exemplary stewards of symbiosis?
Recognizing they are in fact part of the global landscape, many indigenous leaders are navigating how to interact with the wider world while also maintaining their ancient lineages and cultures.The first step requires the bolstering of indigenous economies through the generation of income, opportunity for which resides in the formation of social enterprise and the distribution of artisan crafts.
.jpg)
WHAT ARE YOU SUPPORTING
In supporting this initiative, you are helping to build the foundation of The Association of Indian Arts and Artisans of the Juruá Valley, comprised of leaders and artisans from 13 indigenous tribes: Ashaninka, Arara, Manchinery, Poyanawa, Kulina, Jaminawa, Yawanawa, Shanenawa, Nukini, Kaxarari, Nawas, Kuntanawa, and Huni Kuin.
In supporting this initiative, you empower women who have received ancestral knowledge in the ways of weaving, textiles, and jewelry making, knowledge they now offer to outsiders in the form of earrings, baskets, tapestries, and other beautiful creations that speak to their profound respect for all of creation.
In supporting this initiative, you stand side by side with people of the forest who recognize in order to protect the forest, they must sometimes step out of it, and help them navigate the unfamiliar landscape of supply chains, quality of production, and access to markets.
In supporting this initiative, you are stepping into symbiotic relationship with the indigenous people of the Juruá Valley, helping them acquire resources to protect theLungs of Our Planet, which of course, helps us in return.
DETAILS OF THE EVENT
The meeting of the Association of Indian Arts and Artisans of the Juruá Valley will take place in the Barão village, Poyanawa Indigenous Land, municipality of Mâncio Lima-Acre from Sep 6-Sep 9, 2019.
The costs breakdown are
Transportation ($9.960 – airplane, bus and fuel to boats)
Accommodation (u$2.960 – construction of support for hammocks)
Food ($3.478 – food and cookers)
Production costs (u$3.480 – production materials and coordination)
Fees (u$3.122 – fees of Go Get Funding platform, Paypal and Brazilian bank fees)
Fundraising goal of $23,000.
Goals of the meeting
– Strengthen traditional cultural production
– Strengthen women’s leadership
– Improve the quality of the products so that they can be sold in other spaces
– Find spaces so that more sales of the products can occur
– Improve the income of indigenous women / families
– Improve the quality of life for indigenous families not having to go to the city to seek resources
The event will benefit 13 indigenous tribes contemplating 8 families per region, which will benefit 40 thousand people that lives in all the villages – this practice will ensure the continuation of the traditional knowloge, besides contributing indirectly to theregional and state economy. Indirectly the event will also benefit the municipalities where the lands are located, with the commercialization of handicrafts contributing to the local and state economic sector due to attracting the interests of tourists who these regions. Also increasing production and improving the quality of material will enhance craftsmanship and will make it possible to supply the Indigenous Handicraft of Acre, currently implanted in Rio Branco.
WHO ARE WE
Spearheading this campaign are Nancy Palmer (USA), Lara Jacoski (Brazil) and George Wukong (USA), leaders of the Amazon Fellowship, an international group of activists uniting to support the indigenous people of the Amazon Rainforest. Under a certified Partnership Agreement, the Huni Kui People’s Federation of the State of Acre (FEPHAC) is an authorized liaison to the The Association of Indian Artisans and Artisans of the Juruá Valley (AIAJV). Learn more about the plight of indigenous peoples and the sacred forest we all seek to protect by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @AmazonFellowship.
SUPPORT HERE
Inspired? Let Amazon Fellowship know how you’d like to help with initiatives such as these.
Have a similar project needing funding? Let Amazon Fellowship help; please fill out a brief survey.
