IPATSE FUTURES: PROTECTING PEOPLE AND THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT SUSTAIN THEM

On September 2 a devastating fire ripped through the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro and destroyed major pieces of Brazil’s scientific and cultural heritage. On Sunday, October 28th, the people of Brazil will elect a new President. The candidate favored to win is Jair Bolsonaro, a man who promised that if elected, “there won’t be a square centimeter of the country demarcated as an indigenous reserve." These are two among many serious threats to Brazil's native cultures. We must work together now to preserve the traditions of indigenous people in Brazil by protecting the ecosystems upon which they rely and providing economic opportunity and incentive in the process.
 
That’s why we created the Ipatse Futures Project.  Dedicated to protecting, improving and sustaining the lifestyle of the Kuikuro community,  its goals are to:

1. Provide dependable clean drinking and bathing water;
2. Create dependable fisheries and improve water quality;  and
3. Build the Kuikuro Cultural Center that will promote ecological integrity, public health and green technology, as well as cultural preservation.

 
The vision for the project came from Kuikuro Chief Afukaka and all aspects of the project are conducted with oversight by Dr. Michael Heckenberger (Associate Professor, University of Florida) with a focus on generating sustainable income for the Kuikuro. The Pennywise technical assistance and planning program will provide ongoing support by creating formal partnerships between indigenous organizations, local government, foundations and other stakeholders. Together we will help to ensure sustainability for the Kuikuro for generations to come.