The heart of CSEE lies within the Indigenous. In alignment with our Mission, we are dedicated to communities that are seeking support through project-based funding.
Read below to learn about the communities CSEE continues to collaborate with
in North and South America.
Huichol / Wixáritari
The Huichol survived conquest by the Spaniards by seeking refuge in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Originally from San Louis Potosi they continue to conduct sacred pilgrimage there for approx 15,000 years according to carbon-dated ashes in the sacred fireplace. Use the term “Mara'akame” to refer to the healers.
CSEE has been supporting projects with the Huichol since the start of this organization.
For more information visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huichol
Related Projects: Huichol Temple Restoration
Shipibo / Shipibo-Konibo-Xetebo
The Shipibo consist of as many as 3 tribes (Shipibo, Conibo and Xetebo) and live in the upper Amazon basin of Peru along the Ucayali River with villages throughout the region into Brazil and Ecuador. The Shipibo are masters of plants and the woven song maintaining traditions of sacred patterns (songs and textiles) as well as sacred plant diets which support communication with other worlds and healing. Following the Yarinacocha Declaration, healers in the Shipibo community use the term “Onanya” instead of “shaman” or “curandero”. CSEE has been supporting projects with the Shipibo since the beginning.
For more information visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipibo-Conibo_people
Related Projects: Kurin Metsa School of Shamanism, Shipibo Student Project, Cultural Exchange Project
Kichwa
The Kichwa tribe live primarily in the Ecuadorian Amazon with villages extending as far as Colombia and Peru.
CSEE began supporting projects with the Kichwa since 2017.
For more information visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazonian_Kichwas
Related Projects: Sacha Warmi Project
Navajo / Dine
The largest tribe in North America the Navajo call themselves the DIne’ and live in the southwest United States, primarily in the states of New Mexico, and Arizona. The Dine’ use the term Hatáli (singer) to describe medicine men. Combining prayer, song and chant with intricate sandpaintings and ceremonies the Dine’ have a complex and intricate epistemology. CSEE began supporting projects with the Navajo people in 2016.
For more information visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo
Related Projects: Navajo Ceremony Project
Q’ero
The Q’ero are said to be direct descendants of the Inca and occupy high elevations in remote parts of the Andes in Peru. They use the name Paco or Paqo to refer to their priests and practitioners instead of the word shaman. The Q’ero are masters at working with weather and have strong relationships with the Apus (mountains) of the Andes and maintain numerous ceremonies and traditions which honor the spirit of mother earth/mother nature - “Pachamama”.
CSEE has been involved with supporting the Q’ero since 2011.
For more information visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q%27ero
Related Projects: Q'ero School Constuction Project
Cochiti
The Cochiti are a Keresan-speaking tribe and their pueblo is located on the west bank of the Rio Grande River, about 35 miles southwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is the northernmost Keresan Pueblo in New Mexico.
CSEE has been involved with supporting the Cochiti generations through products since 2020.
For more information visit: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/cochiti-tribe/
Related Product: Instruments
