Amazon Tribe Research Expedition

Brazil’s Amazon is home to more uncontacted tribes than anywhere in the world. There are thought to be at least 100 isolated groups in this rainforest, according to the government’s Indian affairs department FUNAI. 

Many of these isolated tribes are at risk from the land and their homes being destroyed due to large-scale infrastructure improvements in the country.  Uncontacted and isolated tribes are also vulnerable to diseases like flu or the common cold transmitted by outsiders and to which they have no resistance: good reasons to avoid contact with others.

Daniel and I are honored to be invited to participate in an ongoing research expedition of the indigenous Matis tribe of Amazonian Brazil. The tribe still implement the skills, beliefs, and ceremonies which have been developed over generations, and live mostly away from Western culture and influence, although have had enough contact with outsiders to not be at risk from our common illnesses.  The Matis live within the boundaries of the massive Valle do Javari Indigenous reserve, which is said to protect the highest concentration of uncontacted tribes in the world. 

Our expedition team is comprised of 8 people. We will be conducting field research including behavioral studies of the tribe,  gathering an understanding of how the tribes use their land and how deforestation is affecting their culture, and research around plants and bioluminescent fungus. Our trip will take place at the end of October 2018.

Join us in this pioneering expedition..........
For the first time, we are opening the expedition to public sponsorship. Be one of the first to sponsor a conservation-based research expedition with the indigenous Matis tribe of Amazonian Brazil that will bring awareness and education about the tribe's way of life to the world, and contribute to the continued protection of indigenous tribes. 

We are looking for passionate friends, family, business owners or those who share our love of education, research, adventure, preservation, and human adovoacy to sponsor our journey.

The total cost of the trip for us both is approx $16,000. Costs include transportation (airfares, boats, vans); supplies (shelter, nutrition, hydration, medical); guides; safety equipment and protective gear. We are funding as much as we can personally but are relying on sponsorships to assist us in reaching our goal.

If you would like your business to be named as a sponsor please let us know in the comments section. All sponsorships over $75 include business name recognition and can be used as deductible expense on your taxes (under marketing and promotion).  We also have some special thank you's for all our generous sponsors:

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Giver| min $25
Will receive:
-Personalized thank you message for contribution
-Access to expedition photographs through Facebook social media

Supporter | min $75
Will receive:
-Listing as Supporter on expedition social media
-Official Expedition Photo

Contributor | min $175
Will receive:
-Listing as Contributor on expedition social media
-Official Expedition Photo
-Certificate of Appreciation/Sponsorship

Patron | min $450
Will receive:
- Listing as Patron on all expedition presentations, reports, social media
- Expedition Post-Party Invitation
- Post Card from the Amazon
-Official Expedition Photo
-Certificate of Appreciation/Sponsorship

Sponsor | min $900
Will receive:
- Personal gift item hand-created by the Matis
- Listing as Sponsor on all expedition presentations, reports, social media
- Expedition Post-Party Invitation
- Post Card from the Amazon
- Expedition Plaque with Official Expedition Photo

~Official Expedition Photo - 8x10 original image from the expedition, signed by Idee Belau expedition photographer, printed on metallic paper. Reverse describes expedition objectives and the image. Contains listing of Sponsors, Patrons Contributors and Supporters

~Expedition Plaque - Contains Official Expedition Photo and engraving of expedition details, list of Sponsors, Patrons, and Contributors.

~Expedition Post-Party - Enjoy a presentation and short film by the expedition team, then mingle and enjoy hot appetizers and cocktails, check out artifacts we bring back from the trip. 

~Postcards from the Amazon - locally purchased, hand-written greeting from one of the expedition team, then mailed to any address you choose.

~Matis Craft Items - The Matis hand-create nearly all items they use in daily life. We'll bring back rare individualized gifts such as clay masks, bowls, jewelry to present to Sponsors at the Expedition Post-Party.





We would like to extend our sincere thanks to you in advance for helping us get to the Amazon rainforest in October.  This is a once in a  lifetime opportunity for us both and we are so excited to be given the chance to be a part of historical research and compiling information that will further knowledge in the fields of anthropology, human advocacy, and preservation of ancient cultures. 

Daniel and Roz 
xxxxx

Photography credit note: “All photographs by Idee Belau Copyright 2018. Used with permission. Reproduction prohibited."