Chief Mapu of the Huni Kuin people will be sharing his grandfather's teachings on the use of medicinal plants and healing prayers. Mapu talks about what he learned from his grandfather who was a powerful pajé (master shaman) on how to harvest, prepare, use and connect with sacred teacher plants. He explains the power of the songs that lead sacred plant ceremonies and will teach participants a sacred healing chant.

Mapu is the founder of the Huwa Karu Yuxibu Center. He comes from the Huni Kuin people, of the state of Acre in the Brazilian Amazon. He is an activist representing his people.

"We work for the preservation of the forest, of nature, as well as lives and wellbeing for humans. Our project is to strengthen the cultural identity of the Huni Kuin people, bringing our true origin to our identity, our people, customs, and practices.

We are a people that cannot really forget our traditional customs. We work with paintings, crafts, songs, therapeutic work with sacred medicines, which is the healing of spirit, thought, and matter and reconnecting with Mother Nature, a reconnection that happens with the heart awakening to universal love, loving all living beings on this planet Earth. Every day, we continue to study. We are studying in this school of the Earth, so sacred in this universe, so big, so wonderful and so colorful. I consider myself a messenger of peace, a messenger of love. I believe that the healing of humanity is in love, and we have to practice that true and pure love that comes from the heart, with its ability to really strengthen the heart.

All of us human beings really need to let go of the hurt and remember the love. Love is the key, and I'm happy to share this message with a lot of gratitude,"  Mapu Huni Kuin.