Benki Piyãko will be talking about the spirits of the rainforest and how this relates to the very intense times of transition that humanity finds itself in.

Benki is what is termed an “Antaviari” in his culture, meaning a direct messenger of God. Thus, he began his initiations into being a “Pajé” or healer very early, under the tutelage of his grandfather, Samuel Piyako (who taught Mestre Irineu about Ayahuasca and opened the paths for him to start the Santo Daime Church). 

Benki’s list of accomplishments are seemingly endless, beginning with healing thousands of people starting at 8 years old, up until now where he has planted over 2 million trees in deforested areas and was the recipient of the 2006 Ashoka Fellow, the 2013 Human Rights Award and 2017 United Nations Equator Award for efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Additionally, he created Yorenka Tasorentsi Center, the first-ever reforestation institute of its kind, with the support of The Boa Foundation, he secured 3000 acres of deforested land which he is reforesting and bringing animals near extinction back to population.