As everybody knows the situation in the rainforest is critical and the position of the tribes is very bad. Most of them live in reservations and don't get any support from the government. They are considered and treated as third-class citizens and most of them live in very poor and painful conditions

One of the main goals of Tonantzin- The Awakening is to support this people to keep their traditions and knowledge about the medicinal plants. A part from the money I earn with the ceremonies is going to these tribes and medicine-people. We also made a CD with ceremonial music that you can order and this money is going to the tribes as well.

When the shamans of these tribes are coming to Europe to conduct ceremonies all the money is going back to buy land and supplies. Coming to Europe to make ceremonies is the only possibility for them to earn some money.

If you feel touched by their ceremonies and healing skills and you want to help to protect this special knowledge about sacred plants you can help them by giving a donation or order a CD from 20 Euro.

Please write to me at: info(at)the-awakening(dot)net

This is an excerpt from an article in Amazon Alliance, January 20, 2001 :

Genocide against Cofan-tribe in Putumayo, Colombia

With sadness we share with you the death of Pablo Emilio Diaz (brother of Taita Diomedez Diaz) Vice-President of the Cofán Traditional Authorities of the Valle del Guamuez and San Miguel, Putumayo, Colombia, who was assassinated by armed actors, presumably paramilitaries, on January 3, 2001. His family was threatened and has fled the region, along with most others in the Cofán communities of Valle del Guamuez and San Miguel. Seventeen shamans have decided to remain on their lands and face the increasing violence from guerilla, paramilitary, and government forces.

Since December 22, the Colombian government with the support of U.S. military aid, has also fumigated four indigenous communities in the Valle del Guamuez and San Miguel, completely destroying their food crops, gardens of medicinal and sacred plants, and fish hatcheries. The destruction of their food sources and the increasing violence has caused the displacement of approximately 80 families towards the neighboring country of Ecuador. 

The Cofán are a peaceful people who have worked intensively to develop plans for peace and improved social welfare for their people. They are asking for urgent humanitarian, technical, and economic aid to help them face the crisis in which they find themselves.

If you are able to provide this urgently needed aid, please contact the Latin American Association for Human Rights at <arodsal@hotmail.com>.

Thank you for your help. Please circulate this message.

Sincerely,

Betsy Boatner

Amazon Alliance