Indigenous Reciprocity Over Time
Organization for Indigenous Outreach and Conservation (OIOC) has been deeply rooted in the Sibundoy Valley of Colombia through the pioneering work of Taita Juan Agreda Chindoy. Although OIOC was founded in 2023, before that, starting in 2010, members of the OIOC team were implementing service-oriented projects through the support of Circle of Sacred Nature, a US-based non-profit organization and church.
OIOC continues to partner with Circle of Sacred Nature (CSN). Together, we work to foster reciprocity between Indigenous plant medicine traditions and the broader global community. Through this collaboration, we ensure that the spiritual and healing practices connected to sacred plants, such as Yagé/Ayahuasca, are part of a reciprocal relationship where respect, mutual support, and cultural preservation are central.
Timeline of our key activities and efforts over the years:
2010
Initial project to support the ongoing revitalization of traditional medicine gardens at the home and healing center of Taita Juan Agreda Chindoy.
2010-present
Ongoing efforts and financial contributions to support medicinal plant revitalization, Kamentsa language initiatives, traditional art and weaving commerce, community health initiatives, sponsorship of Kamentsa youth, support of Kamentsa elders, and holiday gift drives.
2018
Shanayoy Maloca fundraiser: As CSN, we helped to support the construction of a ceremonial maloca, which is now used for traditional medicine ceremonies and community gatherings.
2020
Land of Origins Project was created as a branch of the church to launch a Covid relief effort in Sibundoy while CSN’s principal teacher, Taita Juan, was serving as the governor of the Kamentsa community. We successfully raised $15,968.
The project involved a twofold effort: an initiative to support food security by gifting food staples, seeds, and veggies to 1000 Kamentsa families; and an initiative to provide housing for the most marginalized members of the community through the construction of 8 houses, repair of other housing structures, and purchase of a property to provide housing for 24 families.
2021
Circulo de Naturaleza de Sagrada, a Colombia non-profit was formed to further support reciprocity efforts and our ongoing partnership with Taita Juan and his healing center, Shanayoy.
2022
Direct support to Shanayoy Healing Center for upgrades on the retreat center accommodations including: improved sleeping quarters, hot water showers, and general improvements on the space to accommodate groups.
2023
Creation of OIOC (Organization of Indigenous Outreach and Conservation) to expand reciprocity efforts and engagement with international audiences to further support projects. CSN and OIOC evolve as sister non-profit organizations
2024
OIOC continues to gather resources from philanthropists and reciprocal efforts to advance its core projects: rebuilding homes, revitalizing language and culture, and restoring biodiversity through a medicinal plant garden as well as the reintroduction of native trees, foods, and species.
Support OIOC's biodiversity restoration, ethnobotanical conservation, and support efforts for the Kamentsa Nation in Sibundoy, Amazon of Colombia.
Transformative landscape restoration initiative and water conservation, Amazon region of Colombia. We focus on revitalizing biodiversity and bolstering food sovereignty for Kamentsa families.
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