Maintaining Shuar science "La ciencia Shuar"
Our Vision
At Inisha Nunka Foundation , we envision a future where Indigenous knowledge is respected and integrated into environmental practices.
Preserving the Amazon rainforest is an ecological imperative for the planet's well-being and thus, the protection of Indigenous peoples and their lands as a tool to mitigate climate change and enhance socio-ecological restoration. The Amazon basin contains more than 10-15 percent of the biologically diverse land-based flora and fauna, 15% of the Earth's freshwater, 40 percent of naturally preserved rainforest, and 150-200 billion tons of carbon storage on this planet (Lovejoy & Nobre, 2019;N obre et al., 2016). Land protection in the Amazon is crucial to offsetting carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere as its rainforests help provide a vital ecosystem service for carbon absorption that works to fight climate change (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2020). Indigenous peoples have a symbiotic relationship between the land, and people (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change, 2020). The Shuars self-proclaimed role as stewards of the land means they do not simply seek to gain control of it but aim to care for it for future generations (Eisenstadt, et al, 2019; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change, 2020). Designated as the Kutukú- Shaimi Protective Forest, some 118 Shuar families live in this biodiverse region just East of the Amazonian city of Macas that has “162 specifies of fish, 81 species of amphibians, 41 species of reptiles, 73 species of mammals and at least 480 species of birds” (Palacios Orejuela, & Rodriguez Espinosa, 2021, p. 120) within its territory.
Our Vision
At Inisha Nunka Foundation we envision a future where Indigenous knowledge is respected and integrated into environmental and health practices.
Shuar Kakaram de Buena Esperanza
Community Advisory is essential to honour Shuar cosmology, values and goals!
Shuar-led Research
We prioritize sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the Shuar community. Through education and research, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of ecological balance empowers Shuar Science.
Elder Advisory and Wisdom
The guidance of our elders is crucial for passing down traditional knowledge. Inisha Nunka Foundation works closely with Shuar elders to ensure that their wisdom informs our conservation and research efforts.
Check out our publications and stay tuned for more!
Jakubchik-Paloheimo, M. (2025). ‘Canada is not for sale’ — but new Ontario law prioritizes profits over environmental and Indigenous rights. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/canada-is-not-for-sale-but-new-ontario-law-prioritizes-profits-over-environmental-and-indigenous-rights-258553
Jakubchik-Paloheimo, M. (2025). Canada-Ecuador free trade agreement threatens Indigenous rights and territories in the Amazon. The Conversation.
Peer Reviewed: Jakubchik-Paloheimo, M., de Buena Esperanza, S. K. (2025). Shuar Geographies of Peace. Postcolonial Hierarchies Encyclopedia. https://rewritingpeaceandconflict.net/2025/01/13/shuar-visions-of-peace/
Peer Reviewed: Jakubchik-Paloheimo, M., & de Buena Esperanza, S. K. (2024). Making Space for Feminist Decolonial Geographies of Peace with the Shuar in the Ecuadorian Amazon: A Case for ‘Cuerpo Territorio.’ Geopolitics, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/14650045.2024.2366316
Jakubchik-Paloheimo, M. (2023). A month after Ecuador’s historic vote to end oil extraction in Yasuní National Park, its lessons are as vital as ever to Canadians. The Conversation.
Support Inisha Nunka Foundation Today
Welcome to Inisha Nunka Foundation !
Overall Objectives for Inisha Nunka
• Foster research that supports Shuar biocultural heritage and ancestral knowledge.
• Promote culture, education, and social welfare by creating programs, workshops, and events for the community, especially for vulnerable groups.
• To promote citizen participation and the defence of the environment through alliances with other organizations.
Areas of Action and Concrete Objectives
Education:
• Support the revitalization of languages and culture through community projects that digitize ancestral knowledge, poems, stories, and other cultural expressions in indigenous languages.
• Promote technology for learning by providing educational tools and platforms that recognize and use native languages for teaching. • Offer mentoring in support and guidance to train community leaders in the use of technology and to lead their own projects.
• Promote exchange forums that facilitate spaces where indigenous leaders, educators, and wise men can share experiences and knowledge on innovation and education
• Establish strategic alliances that foster alliances with academic institutions and other foundations to enhance the impact of educational initiatives.
Social welfare
• To provide social assistance and care to persons in vulnerable situations of indigenous peoples and nationalities.
• Promote health, healthy housing, and healthy eating.
• Facilitate access to information on social programs and procedures.
Culture and environment
• Organize and promote cultural, artistic and sporting events for indigenous communities.
• Raise awareness of the importance of caring for and conserving the environment.
• Promote the creation of community gardens and other ecological initiatives to strengthen the ancestral knowledge of indigenous peoples.
Community Development and Partnerships
• Encourage the participation and organization of civil society.
• Establish alliances with universities, other NGOs, municipalities and companies to coordinate efforts.
• Attract human and financial resources for collaborative work.
