Mission: The Indigenous Solidarity Fund’s (ISF) mission is to support elders, leaders, and wisdom-keepers of indigenous groups in Colombia and the Americas in their efforts to preserve and share their cultures and traditional practices. The ISF will primarily fund projects and provide financial relief as deemed necessary by these indigenous authorities for the preservation of the integrity, health, and well-being of their communities and future generations.
About the Indigenous Solidarity Fund: ISF is dedicated to supporting the wisdom keepers and elders of the indigenous groups of Colombia and the Americas. The majority of our work focuses on supporting the leaders of indigenous groups in Colombia, where we have worked with leaders and elders from the Witoto, Sikuani, Embera, Kofan, Siona, and other groups in an informal capacity for the past eight years.
The ISF was founded by its director, Jesse Stamell, who has lived in Colombia since 2009. The vision for our work formed organically as Jesse began to come into contact with elders and wisdom-keepers from various indigenous groups at gatherings held outside of Bogota, in the Putumayo, and in the mountains of Antioquia, Colombia. It became clear that many, if not all of these indigenous leaders who he spoke with were concerned about the health of their lands, the well-being of their communities, and the threats facing the continuation and preservation of their ancestral practices.
Jesse began bringing travelers and Colombians to meetings with elders from these groups. The attendees were interested in learning more about what was happening in the more remote areas and communities of the country that they normally would not have access to or hear about. The result was that individuals from around the world were inspired to help. The ISF is our vehicle for collecting and directing those inspired energies so that these communities can receive the resources and aid they seek.
In 2021, EarthAction became the sponsor of the Indigenous Solidarity Fund (ISF) whose mission is to support elders, leaders, and wisdom-keepers of indigenous groups in Colombia and the Americas in their efforts to preserve and share their cultures and traditional practices. Click here to view a video made in 2021 by ISF Project Director Jesse Stammel of an urgent message from the revered Grandfather, Wisdom Keeper, Land Protector and Goldman Environmental Prize winner Werjayo Berito Kuwaru'wa of the U'Wa people in Colombia
The U'wa people are known as ''the thinking people'' in Colombia. Berito Kuwaru'wa was chosen as Head of their High Council and international representative. He has been invited to speak in more than two dozen countries on the need to defend the natural laws of the earth and share his and the U'wa people's wisdom and mythology.
There's still time for us to recognize the critical importance of the wisdom of indigenous elders at this tumultuous moment of human history. It is our responsibility to care for this earth and to ensure that future generations can enjoy its beauty and abundance. The wisdom of the traditional elders of the Americas can guide us towards rebalancing and healing the relationship between humans and the rest of creation.
Let's choose to listen.
Update:
After nearly a year of being denied treatment, Berito Kuwaru'wa was admitted to the Somer clinic in Rio Negro, Antioquia, Colombia and operated on. He is currently recovering in the clinic, where he will remain until he is fully recovered and able to return to his home in U'Wa territory.
Upon his return, the ISF will continue to provide funds for additional medical care and medications, monitor his health, and support his ongoing efforts to recover and grow the U'Wa people's ancestral seeds and crops.
All of your generous donations and efforts to help our cause are deeply appreciated. Click here to make an online donation.
