ACT UPDATE   March 3, 2004

Dear Friends,

Successful Gathering of Women Shamans
In February, ACT celebrated the culmination of two extremely important projects.  Liliana Madrigal, with Carolina Amaya of the ACT Colombia office, traveled to Mocoa, where they participated in the first-ever Gathering of Women Shamans.  Thirty five women from seven tribes (Awa, Tatuyo, Kamsa, Kofan, Ingano, Siona & Coreguaje) gathered to share their stories and ideas in a week long celebration.  The goal was to assess the needs of the women and begin to ensure a continuation of their knowledge and traditions.

The meeting followed the model of the 1999 Gathering of Shamans in Yurayaco.  For many of the women,  it was the first time they had traveled outside of their villages--some were initially both fearful and skeptical.  But, by the end, they felt honored and anxious to carry on with the ambitious agenda on which they agreed to collaborate.  According to all participants, the meeting was a great success.  All agreed to continue to collaborate to protect their health, their cultures, and their forests.

Tribal Maps of Xingu Indigenous Park Completed!
In Brazil, Mark Plotkin, Juan Carlos Riascos (see below), Darron Collins, Vasco van Roosmalen and new ACT Board Member Margaret Clark attended the dances commemorating of completion of the ethnographic maps of the Xingu region. The result is a better understanding - and, hopefully, better protection - of 7.5 million acres of tropical forest which is the home of 14 different tribes.

ACT has been active in the Xingu for several years.  In 2001, ACT released the maps of the Kamayurá and Yawalapití lands, which comprise 1.5 million acres of forest.  Since then Vasco and rest of the Brazil team have worked with the Indians to expand and complete the mapping process.   This was the first time that all 14 groups had ever worked together on a project. 

Juan Carlos Riascos Is New Vice President for Projects
We would like to introduce you to ACT's newest staff member, Juan Carlos Riascos (on the right!).  Juan Carlos joined us as Vice President for Projects at the beginning of February, after a five year tenure as Director of National Parks in Colombia.  He is a widely respected expert on protected areas in Latin America.

Pink Shell Opening in South Florida March 19
In March, we will be in Ft. Myers to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Pink Shell Resort on March 19, a fundraiser for ACT.