Welcome to Inisha Nunka "OUR GRANDMOTHER'S MOTHER EARTH"

Tii, as an Elder and Teacher, leads the research mandate for Inisha Nunka, hoping to pass on his knowledge to future generations to come. We focus on the intersection of culture and health, sharing knowledge that supports community well-being.

Tii is a shaman, healer and 'Uwishin" (as it's called in the Shuar language). He comes from a long lineage of Shamans and ancestral knowledge. He has participated in various international forums. He is also considered anE Elder, looking to pass on his wisdom to the next generations as well as tothe public. As a messenger and Elder Tii acts as an vitaladvisor as well as leads resaerch directives for Inisha Nunka that seek to preserve Shuar science and ancestral wisdom

Is the president of Inisha Nunka. She is a Management Engineer for the Ecuadorian Government's PublicAdministration. She has a Master of Business Administration and a Global MBA from ADEN Panama. She received recognition as an Ambassador for Social Dignity from SUCCESS WORLD Mexico in 2022 for her efforts to strengthen brotherhood and solidarity among the peoples of Latin America. As the President of the Inisha Nunka Ecuador Foundation, she was the regional Director of Peoples and Nationalities of Ecuador. She is a Shuar woman leader, a Social activist, a cultural defender, and an advocate for social rights, and is part of CONAIE in Ecuador.

Sharum Jenny Chiriap Kuish is a knowledge keeper, artisan, and specialist in the ancestral medicine of the Shuarculture. She has led cultural activities, including dance, music, and ancestral ceremonies. She is an official of the National Assembly of Ecuador and is a leader of the Inisha Nunka Foundation, working on the cultural strengthening and conservation of Shuar science. Jenny was also a community research assistant, translator (between Shuar and Spanish), and advisor for the Shuar Kakaram de Buena Esperanza. As the elected community leader or syndico in her community, she served as a key community advisor for previous research projects. Her workfocuses on empowering women through entrepreneurial, innovative products and plant medicines.

 Martina has been working with the Inisha Nunka Foundation and Chiriap family for the last ten years.  She successfully defended her IDRC-funded doctoral dissertation in Human Geography at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, thanks to the support of the Inisha Nunka Foundation.  Their collaborative work led to the PhD thesis, entitled ‘Maintaining Relations with the More-than-human World through Shuar Science,’ which documents the importance of Shuar science for human and planetary health. Through the co-production of knowledge, we created a community archive to preserve Shuar science for current and future generations. Our research findings highlight important Shuar practices for climate change adaptation strategies that decenter anthropocentric narratives and focus on the more-than-human world. These findings advance decolonial thinking toward more relational ethical practices within environmental and conservation science.

She is a feminist scholar fromTkaronto, engaging in decolonizing research.  She is a second-generation white settler whose grandparents wereborn in Finland and Hungary. She has over fifteen years of international and Canadian experience, with specialized expertise in qualitative research, fundraising, mediation, conflict resolution, facilitation, peacebuilding, restorative justice, and reconciliation.  With a special focus on community-led processes, reconciliation and environmental justice. 

He is a cultural tour guide and translator. He is the general coordinator of the Inisha Nunka Foundation and wasthe other community research assistant to the doctoral research project. Chicham speaks English, Spanish, andShuar. He has been a fundraiser and advocate for his community both at home as well as internationally for thelast twenty years through his knowledge sharing and music.

 He is a Shuar musical promoter, knowledge keeper and plant medicine healer. He is part of the musical and theatregroup PEM. He has been part of a film shoot for a cultural film in the Nampaim community. He worked as acommunity research assistant, translator (between the Shuar language and Spanish), and advisor

Wayne is a proud Ojibway from Wikwemikong, Ontario, a  father of three, and grandfather of two. His life journey has been one of  prioritizing social and economic enterprises. As a seasoned entrepreneur, his  experience spans various sectors including technology, banking, clothing,  beverage, and sports industries. He operates as an Advisor for the Inisha Nunka Foundation. 

For Wayne, his passion for progressive community and  industry development is values-based. It combines the collaborative spirit of  moving forward with      the   development of  strong partnerships with local governments, non-profit business support  organizations, and industry associations. His openness to share his  experiences and learnings has led him to include being a published author and  a seasoned internal speaker to his list of accomplishments. He has recently  completed his MBA at Thompson Rivers University/Nicola Valley Institute of  Technology in British Columbia.