A Focus on Helping Indigenous Protectors of the Land
This world is experiencing rapid geological change and cultural homogenization. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Amazon Region of South America. Many people who only 10 years ago lived in remote regions of jungle, have been forced from their ancestoral homelands and now live within cities, truly modern citizens by anybody's standards. Their self-sufficiency has disappeared with the land that once provided all their physical needs. Now they buy their shelter as they buy their food and water.
Keepers of Wisdom is based on the premise that indigenous people make better land stewards than corporations. Protecting vital areas such as the Amazon Rain Forest and the indigenous cultures that inhabit these forests are one in the same. For these people are the land, as their wisdom comes from the land. They are the true keepers of wisdom, our older brothers and sisters who we can learn much from. As the western mind engineers its next big feat of recallibrating its pathway through the 'green' movement to re-obtain ecological balance, we have tangible examples through many rich cultures of how to live properly. It is time to acknowledge, honor, and learn from these cultures.
Collaborators Needed!
Currently, Keepers of Wisdom is an organization comprised soley of the founder, Brandon Bryant. My goal is to bring collaborators in at the formative stages, BEFORE creating a non-profit entity, so that as a team we can analyze my vision and use synergistic energy to create a collaborative dream along with viable methods to manifest it.
Here is a list of initial desired contributers:
Board Members: A diverse board is desired with a range of experiencial expertise in subjects that deal with culture, environment, and the merging of the two. Additionally, understanding of geo-political relationships and corporate maneuvering is highly desired.
Grant Writer: This position will be critical during the infancy stages of growth. The degree of success Keepers of Wisdom will be able to obtain will rely on the talent, knowledge, and dedication of this person.
Book Keeper: The unsung hero of any well-run enterprise. Thank you in advance.
*Note: at this point in time, all positions will be unpaid.
Initial Focus on the Amazon Region
The Amazon Rainforest is a geological area that is critical to the well-being of the entire human population. In addition to functioning as the 'lungs' of the earth, offsetting the full effects of global warming – this region is also the source of 80% of all modern medication. But unlike the chemical derivatives, the natural medicines within the Amazon do not have hazardous side effects. It is important that we look seven generations down the road, and protect the biodiversity of the Amazon, along with the cultures that know and understand the uses and applications of these natural medicines. Your children thank you.
501(c)3 Non-Profit Status
Keepers of Wisdom is in an exploratory stage. Before the 'actual' creation of a tax-exempt entity along with the appropriate paperwork filings, it is important that the mission and approach are thoroughly examined.
Your Suggestions are Welcome
Please do take the time for any suggestion or feedback in general. Keepers of Wisdom is in the initial formation stage, and this is the very best time to receive advice.
Donations not Accepted at this Time
Down the road, we will be honored to accept any contribution of your generosity. For the moment, you can help by signing up for the mailing list and providing any suggestions that you may have.
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*Note: The following project is a SAMPLE to give a tangible idea of how a vision can protect the land and culture while at the same time providing income to those who are struggling financially. Actual project selections will be determined by the board.
The Parque Puma Urco de Medicina Natural (Mountain Puma Park of Natural Medicine) is a vision that is focused on plant and animal habitat preservation along with the study of natural medicines inherent within the biodiversity of the preservation. The park will consist of 4 different parts that work cohesively together to form a greater whole. These will consist of 1) Medicinal Plant Garden, 2) College of Medicinal Plants, 3) Zoological preserve, 4) Healing and Retreat center.
Thought and attention has been given to form a park that generates income, becoming self-sufficient after the initial startup costs.
1) Medicinal Plant Garden : : : As any medicinal plant healer or study on Ecuadorian plant knowledge will tell you, much of the plant knowledge held for thousands of years by indigenous wisdom-keepers is currently being lost. Currently, many healers do not have adequate land to grow a diverse array of medicines and will be unable to pass on their knowledge to successors. The Medicinal Plant Garden will be focused on collecting and cultivating thousands of medicinal plants, with the intent of providing benefit to community through sales. 2) College of Medicinal Plants : : : While there are studies and books that catalog hundreds of medicinal plants within the Amazon region, currently there is no written documentation of the thousands of medicinal plants within Ecuador. The College of Medicinal Plants will focus on teaching students medicinal plant identification, patient diagnosis, and prescription/application. Additionally, students will be put to work on a cumulative project that will take many years to complete: cataloging the medicinal plants of Southern Ecuador. The college will offer long-term programs at affordable rates for indigenous students, as well as shorter course studies at an adjusted rate geared towards American and European students. 3) Zoological Preservation : : : Within a portion of the Park Preservation will be a zoo that is open to the general public for admission. Currently many animal species within Ecuador are threatened due to habitat loss and over-hunting. Most people within the jungles have never seen an anoconda. The Zoological Preservation will be a place to safeguard and study the diversity of animals while educating the public about their vital role within the ecology. 4) Healing and Retreat Center : : : This is the treatment center, where the knowledge of plant medicine becomes a useful application for healing illness. Currently within Ecuador, there are plants that treat every illness known, including cancer, tuberculosis, mental disorders, and aids. But in addition to the medication, healing also requires a knowledgeable curandero (spanish for healer), or doctor. The Healing and Retreat Center is the place where traditional curandero-doctors and college students (under their guidance) can treat illness. In addition to providing a valuable service for the local community, this center will also provide retreats for Americans and Europeans who wish to find personal healing, study with the plants, and learn shamanism. As current tourism within the jungles of Peru has shown, there is incredible interest within Westerners regarding medicinal plant medicines.
Project Recipient and Administrator : : : Francisco Tanguila
Francisco Tanguila was a founding member and the first President of U.N.A.E (Union de Nativos de la Amazonia Ecuador), an organization that surveyed land back in the 1970s (before many of the roads and accompanying land-rush) and created a network of 184 Pueblos (villages). Each village is set up to preserve the jungle through land occupation of indigenous Kichwa people, who are each granted 600 acres to protect. Within the bilaws of the charter, each land owner is permitted to cultivate a small portion of the land, while the bulk of it is to be undisturbed. Currently, much of the most pristine primary-growth forest is under protection of U.N.A.E. and 7 other unions that have followed suit.
Currently, Francisco Tanguila is the President of the Association of Indigenous Shamans of the Napo Region and a full-time healer. It is Francisco's dream to create a medicinal plant college and preservation center. Francisco is moving forward on his vision with or without financial assistance. There are two primary paths open to him: 1) Starting and growing the vision very small, with full fruition taking many many years, or 2) Starting the vision properly and completing it within a couple years so that he can utilize his energy teaching others. If you would like to donate to this project, many thanks and blessings to you.
100% of donations will go to fund this project (until further notice). As KeepersofWisdom.org does not yet have 501(C)3 status, this donation is NOT tax deductable. But it IS greatly appreciated.
