Ayahuasca and Endangered Cultures: A Fundraiser for Amazonian Activists

Join Sophia Rokhlin, co-author of When Plants Dream, for a conversation exploring the economic, social, political, cultural and environmental impacts of the global spread of ayahuasca. Hosted by the Pearl Psychedelic Institute and Art Garden AVL, in The Canopy, 191 Lyman St #320 (above Art Garden). January 11, 6-8:30 pm. Talk followed by Q&A, and a book signing. Fundraiser for Asociación Keñao.

Ayahuasca is a powerful tool for transformation, that more and more Westerners are flocking to drink in a quest for greater self-knowledge, healing and reconnection with the natural world. This formerly esoteric, little-known brew is now a growth industry. But why?

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive tea that has a long history of ritual use among Indigenous groups of the Upper Amazon. Made from the ayahuasca vine and the leaves of a shrub, ayahuasca is associated with healing in collective ceremonies and in more intimate contexts, generally under the direction of a specialist – an ayahuasquero. These are experienced practitioners who guide the ceremony and the ‘drinkers’ experience.

Ayahuasca has gained significant popularity these days in cities around the world. Ceremonies happen nightly and Hollywood stars, Wall Street players and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs now drink the brew. Why? What effect might ayahuasca be having on our culture? Could it be the LSD of our time? Does the brew, which seems to inspire environmental action, simplified lifestyles and more communitarian behavior, act as an antidote to frenzied consumerist culture?

Join Sophia Rokhlin for a conversation where we’ll explore the economic, social, political, cultural and environmental impacts of the global spread of ayahuasca.

Asociación Keñao (https://kenao.org/) is an indigenous women’s association based in the Ecuadorian Amazon, made up of Secoya women.

Like so many other indigenous peoples of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem—the Amazon—the Secoya have faced brutal Evangelization, land loss, oil spills, deforestation, racism, sexism, and more. Most youth have left their villages, seeking jobs with extractive companies (logging, oil, palm oil plantations). However, a new wave of activism and ancestral pride has been rekindled in the small community of Siekoya Remolino, thanks to Asociación Keñao.

“We call ourselves Keñao after our word for little ant. Ants, like indigenous women, carry the world on their shoulders—their families, their forests. Together, we can move more than we thought was possible” says Secoya artist and activist Yadira Ocoguaje.

Please join us in raising funds for this group of Amazonian women and youth, who are protecting their unique cultural heritage by cultivating their ancient crafts, traditional ecological knowledge, and natural products. I know they will take good care of every penny, putting everything towards supporting their community and future generations.

Your donation will make possible:

-Local reforestation and conservation

-Reviving ancient women’s ceramics practices

-Producing and selling unique Amazonian jewelry

-Coordinating cultural education for youth

-Strengthening women’s economic income and sovereignty

BIO

Sophia Rokhlin MSc. is an author, speaker and nonprofit organizer supporting the conservation of forest peoples’ wisdom and territories. She previously served as Development Coordinator at the Rainforest Foundation US, securing Indigenous peoples’ lands and rights, and was the Technical Secretariat of the Amazon Emergency Fund, the largest Indigenous-led humanitarian relief program delivering aid to nine countries of the Amazon. Sophia is a co-author of When Plants Dream: Ayahuasca, Amazonian Shamanism and the Global Psychedelic Renaissance (Watkins, 2019). Her work has been featured in publications and podcasts including the Duncan Trussell Family Hour, The New York Times, Acne Paper Magazine, PBS, the BBC, and others. https://www.sophiarokhlin.com/