CSN's commitment to Indigenous Reciprocity
CSN is involved in various indigenous reciprocity initiatives that align with our mission of supporting biological and cultural diversity. This translates into our organization's longstanding commitment to support indigenous led efforts toward community resiliency in the Kamentsa community of Sibundoy, Colombia, where our lineage originates.
CSN partners with our sister non-profit organization OIOC
(Organization for Indigenous Outreach and Conservation)
to fiscally sponsor and support project implementation.
Our projects support community food security, native ecology restoration, traditional language revitalization, medicinal plant conservation, and direct support to some of the most vulnerable in the community.
A history of our projects over the past 15 years can be found here.
Current Projects
Kamentsa Elders Support Project
The Elders Project is spearheaded by Mercedez Agreda Chindoy, daughter of Taita Juan. This is an effort to support the elders in the community that are most vulnerable to have their basic needs met. Mercedez has worked with many families over the past three years to grow this project to an effort that has benefitted many in need in the community. ​
​
Native Ecology Restoration Project
This is a longstanding ongoing project focused on native ecology restoration. Taita Juan's healing center, Shanayoy, serves as the center of this effort- stewarding a great variety native trees, medicinal plants, and traditional foods. The goal is to expand this effort and for Shanayoy to be the base for further distribution of native tree species throughout the community.
Language Revitalization Project
The Kamentsa language is at risk of being lost. We are supporting an effort to incentivize Kamentsa youth and young adults to the learn the language. Those who still speak the language in the community are being empowered to be teachers and legacy stewards so that the Kamentsa language can be passed to future generations.
​​​
Thank you.
Make a direct Donation to Reciprocity Projects
All donations tax-deductible
EIN: 47-5642503
PAST PROJECTS
Kamentsa Medicinal Plants Biodiversity Project:
CSN has been involved in a medicinal plants and traditional medicine preservation and revitalization project at the land of our principal teacher, Taita Juan Agreda Chindoy. This is part of an ongoing effort to support the preservation of traditional medicine and medicinal plant diversity in the Kamentsa community.
Dignified Shelter and Seeds of Hope Initiative
We raised a total of $15,968 through the Land of Origins Project to directly benefit the community through distribution of organic vegetable starts and basic shelter support. What began as a direct response to Covid-19 evolved into a sustainable project that will benefit the community far beyond the pandemic. 1000 families directly benefited and 8 homes were rebuilt. Learn more (link to land of origins site)
Maloka Construction
Our main fundraiser for 2018 was aimed at supporting a traditional ceremony structure to be built at Taita Juan’s land. This structure is known as a maloka and it is considered to be a ceremonial gathering space that supports traditional medicine and community gatherings. We continue to support cultural revitalization programs that are based out of the maloka, particularly geared toward educating Kamentsa youth about traditional medicine and the Kamentsa language.
