The Yawanawá, Acre, Brazil
This project was done in partnership with Boa Foundation
Fundraiser Result: $115,000 USD
The Yawanawá people, whose culture is woven through chants, stories, art, and deep ethnobotanical knowledge, are among the most vibrant Indigenous nations of the Brazilian Amazon. Known for attracting the largest eco-tourism presence in the state of Acre, the Yawanawá have overcome a long history of colonization, exile, and slavery to reclaim their ancestral ways and lands.
Following a rare victory in demarcating their territory, we supported the Yawanawá in returning to their ancestral land and constructing a sacred cultural center, Aldeia Sagrada (Sacred Village). This center represents both a triumph of sovereignty and a living space where tradition and intercultural exchange flourish.
Impact Areas
Project Overview
Aldeia Sagrada and the new transportation fleet together represent a holistic vision: cultural renewal, inter-village connection, and the strengthening of Yawanawá sovereignty. They stand as living testaments to resilience, ensuring that Yawanawá culture, spirituality, and daily life continue to flourish in harmony with the forest.
PEOPLE
Yawanawa
LOCATION
Acre, Brazil
FUNDS RAISED
$115,000
DATE
2019
Key Milestones
Aldeia Sagrada – Cultural Renewal
$115,000 raised for construction.
Capacity to host 200 people for ceremonies and accommodate 80 visitors.
Welcomes 1,000 international visitors annually, strengthening intercultural exchange and solidarity.
Transportation – Interconnection Across the Amazon: In the Amazon rainforest, rivers are the lifelines of travel. To stay connected across multiple villages, the Yawanawá rely on boats for communication, hunting, and access to essential goods in nearby towns.
We secured $30,000 in funding to purchase 8 outboard motor canoes for the Nova Esperança community. These boats now connect thousands of Yawanawá people, strengthening community ties, cultural gatherings, and access to daily necessities.
