Folk Medicine - Benefit for Amazonian Peoples

The situation throughout the Amazon Basin is dire as indigenous peoples, already facing centuries of systemic oppression, suffer from illness, lack of food, medical supplies and income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical infrastructure has completely collapsed in many regions and jungle communities are left largely to fend for themselves. Without access to direct aid, people are already dying at alarming rates. We must act now. 

FOLK MEDICINE  is an umbrella fundraising concert and interview series that supports direct pandemic relief throughout the Amazon. We are raising funds to be distributed to aid efforts underway throughout the Amazon Basin. Our June 10th live-stream concert raised 32 thousand dollars on the first night (between ticket sales, private donations and this gofundme) with 10 thousand viewers between Zoom and Facebook Live. Our initial goal of 150 thousand dollars will support indigenous Amazonians who need money for food, medications, oxygen, and economic relief now and in the coming months. Folk Medicine is sending aid to 35 existing campaigns!

Many of us have been touched by the blessings of Amazonian wisdom traditions, or at the very least, recognize the importance of reciprocity for the guardians of this vital organ of our planet - the Amazon Rain Forest. The artists have generously offered their talent and platforms to raise awareness and funds to offer immediate assistance with 100% of donations financing direct aid.

We are happy to be partnering with De la Tierra to manage and distribute funds directly to indigenous families as well as to Amazon Watch, Amazon Frontlines, Chaikuni Institute and Boa Foundation. Our ultimate aim, however, is to send as much direct aid as possible to existing fundraising campaigns that we have vetted. This way, the majority of funds raised will get to the people who need it the most.

De la Tierra's mission is to preserve the Amazon Rainforest by promoting thriving Indigenous communities, merging modern advancements with ancestral tradition through education and empowerment. Restoring harmony, health and balance to the Earth and her inhabitants through a rich quality of life.

De la Tierra envisions a future where strong, culturally intact, sovereign communities progressively steward their local bioregions in a sustainable, low impact and reciprocal way. Where the health of the community is a reflection of the health of the land.