FUNSSIF

FUNSSIF, Fundación Shiwiar Sin Fronteras, is an NGO whose mission is to revitalize the Shiwiar culture and promote environmental education in this community.

The Shiwiar people of Ecuador have the same cultural and linguistic traditions as the Achuar and Shuar. Their territory is located along the Pastaza River, near the Peruvian border, in the Amazon basin. It is one of the most preserved and isolated areas in the Oriente, consisting only of primary forest and accessible only by plane. In total, there are 727 people living in 9 villages. The Shiwiars speak Shiwiar Shicham and Quichua; they only came into contact with the western world in 1941, at the time of the war between Peru and Ecuador. Oil has been found in their territory, but for the moment it has not been exploited. The government granted them 89,337 hectares of land in 1992, and recognized the "Shiwiar nationality". The political organization ONSHIPAE (Organizacion de la Nacionalidad Shiwiar de Pastaza Amazonía Ecuatoriana) is working with the Pachamama Alliance to recover part of the territory. Ecotourism is expected to generate funds and raise awareness to enable these people to win their battle with the government. The concept of this ecotourism project is simple: the tourist really becomes the actor of his own adventure. This vision is based on principles of equity and solidarity. The goal is to develop an alternative source of income and to maintain the traditions of the community. All profits are used to finance the projects of the associations to protect the territory and preserve the environment. Such an adventure is an opportunity to discover an untouched region of the Amazonian forest, to get off the beaten track and to immerse yourself in a unique culture. Two typical houses have been built to welcome visitors in the village of Tanguntsa. On site, the waste is sorted, then burned or sent back to Puyo or used for organic manure. The proposed activities: excursions in the national park, participation in the daily tasks (harvest of yucca, making of crafts...). To get there from Quito, you must first go to Puyo, either by bus (about 5 hours) or by plane (40 minutes). From Puyo, take a plane to Shiona (1 hour, count 200 US$ per person) and from there you will be taken to the village of Tanguntsa by canoe (1 half hour).