Ecuador - Saving the Earth together!

 I always had a vision of being in Amazonia rainforest, spending time with and connecting with indigenous tribes – the wisdom keepers.

I started learning about medicinal herbs almost 8 year ago. I was always curious about how our ancestors and indigenous families lived/live in harmony with the natural world without any modern materials.

I enjoy helping other people and I thought about becoming a nurse or seek other medical profession for a long time. When I started planning about my career and school, I didn’t see myself working in conventional hospitals or clinics.

I decided to seek ancient medicines that led me take Herbal Medicine programs and Holistic Nutrition.

I have completed Japan Medicinal Herb Coordinator in 2018. I also took Western Herbal Medicine program at Pacific rim college in Victoria BC Canada amd fundamentals of holistic nutrition courses at Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Vancouver in 2019.

Holistic medicine and sustainable living became a big part of my life and gave me many awakenings. I continued learning about plants and our relationship with them after schooling.

I worked at Gaia Garden Herbal Clinic and Apothecary in Vancouver for about 2 years. My time at Gaia strenthened my knowledge in healing other people. I am on the contined learning journey- learning about and from the natural world. I'm so fortuante that one of my biggest mentors/sisters, LoriAnn Bird, Métis herbalist and educator has been sharing her knowledge and wisdom through her stories as well. The plants show us how we live with strengh, resilience, cycle, adaptation and a power of healing.

In March 2025, I had a opportunity to visit Shuar and Kichwa communities in Ecuador with my sisters. My purpose was simply to enjoy travelling, exploring new places, connecting with wisdom keepers and the Ayahuasca spirit.

The vibrant tress, plants, insects, many living things were just stunning. Some plants had absolutely amazing intricate patterns on their leaves.

Both Shuar and Kichwa people are incredibly kind, welcoming and warm-hearted.

In Chinimpi, Morona Santiago provience, Central east of Ecuador, I spent some time in Shuar community. Most people live in the village due to loss of majority of Amazonia lands.

The tree house.

On the first day we arrived, they showed us a new treehouse they had just built. They were so excited to share it with us, being curious how we think about it. It was buildt for morning meditation. We absolutely enjoyed the view of Amazonia sky as well.

Next day we crossed the river with a help and stayed in the part of the jungle they "Reclaimed" and are still restoring. They had a polley system to transfer building materials, any necessities and for family members to travel between the jungle and village side!

They showed us many vibrant fruits, root vegetables, medicinal tress and plants.

We were on dieta so the foods we could have were limited but I still enjoyed all the exotic foods they shared with us!

My favourit was Pitahaya, yellow spiky fruits look like dragonfruits. The inside was white with tiny black seeds and was so juicy! I also enjoyed chonta, a small starchy fruit from the palm tree. It has nutty flavour like giant chestnuts, I loved yucca as well.

They had so many chickens in both village and jungle. The egg and chicken seems to be one of the primary food source. I believe theirs are 100% clean, no growth-hormone, medications, etc.  We were so grateful for being welcomed with Chicha – traditional fermented beverage. It tasted like pro-biotic packed earthly Kombcha. Women make chicha for their husbands when they go to work in jungle. 

Our friend Enriqueta gave us face paints from Achote plant dyes to protect our spirits.

One morning I saw Enriqueta doing dishes with ashes by the river. I offered her a help and enjoyed re-discovery of joy in living in nature. Pachamama, Nunkui, our Mother Earth provides us everything we need. They had a gorgeous cabin they built all themselves, a tree house, bathing spot, abundance of food sources. The rainforest energized me a lot and Shuar community's incredible kindness touched my heart deeply. They took care of me when I wasn’t feeling good after fasting and having multiple insect bites that left stingers in my skin! My immune system reacted and I was down one morning. They offered me an Amazonia medicinal tea and prayer for healing. They helped me carrying my backpack and held my hand when we crossed the river. They also went to the closest town to get more chamomile tea for me.

I have been so grateful and blessed to receive so much love, wisdom and caring energies from the people I met.

During my stay in jungle, I strongly felt I have to reciprocate with each living thing. What can I give back to our Mother Earth, Pachamama? Sending out gratitude energy, joyful feeling, offering hair, urination, blood, simply re-connecting with her on barefoot... I became more aware of our relationship to the Earth. It also reminded me of one of the teachings I had – we are part of the Earth. They are offering abundance of nourishment, wisdom and vital source. We have to take care of them as well.

 Our friends, Andres and Enriqueta shared their story and dream with us. Many ancestral Amazonia lands have been "stolen" by oil and mining campanies for years. It's still contaminating the water, air and many living things in the forest today. Sadly the government is not supporting the indigenous community. Shuar and many other indigenous families are working together to restore their farm. (They call the rainforest, “farm”).  Several years ago, a wealthy man (I won’t be putting the individual name here) who owns a petro company just took 223 hectores of their lands without any dialogue, agreement or compensation.

Their lands are part of their lives - The Pachamama who offers the vital source. The loss of their lands brought economic challenges in many families in Shuar community too. Some parents cross the border on foot to seek jobs to be able to support their families.

In Canada, indigenous people’s rights are widely acknowleged and respected now. However, Ecuador is still facing a huge challenge in protecting indigenous people.

Many activists and indigenous leaders are being tortuned or killed even today.

In kichwa community, I met a Shaman who is well trained by his grandfather. He would tell us stories, filled with wisdoms. He invited his friend, one of the key persons working towards the recovery of Amanozia rainforest and protection of the indigenous community. He told us that they have had a vision to reclaim their lands by negotiating. They decided to keep the peace – stop fighting and purchase their lands back as a new approach.

I learned that many indigenous groups are now raising awareness and funds to “buy” and protect the Earth as well as keeping the traditional way of their life.

Where is justice? Why money-oriented people keep profiting while the wisdom keepers are deeply affected?

I got so bonded with Shuar community during my travel. They brought me so much gratitude, joy and love each day. I am now commited to support them to restore and protect their lands and the Earth together.

I intend to raise awareness, connect with people who have same dreams to co-create harmonious living and protect the Earth together. I welcome you to be part of saving the Earth!

Please visit our Shuar and the Earth website - https://www.shuarfamily-newearthy-plane.ca/

Yuminsajmee! (Thank you so much in Shuar).