User:SechaNua/sandbox

= Natem Anank = Natem is an Elder born of the Shuar of the Sacred Waterfalls. He is an Uwishin (traditional healer) from the Ecuadorian Amazon, raised in their traditional ways deep in the jungle. He comes from a long line of Uwishin with a deep connection to the Great Spirit ARUTAM. Their deep belief system and knowledge of healing plants was the key to survival.

Early life
Natem was born in 1947 and was given the name Anank after a well-know Shuar healer as his parents knew before he was born that he would become an Uwishin. He is the youngest of 12 and since his father died when he was a toddler, he was raised by his mother and older siblings in the rain forest. His mother was an herbal healer and taught him much about the plants of the jungle. His brother and uncles taught him the ways of an Uwishin.

The Shuar have various ways of encountering Arutam through rites of passage...

Natem's mission
Natem came to the United States to teach people about over-consumption and it's impacts on the environment. His mission in life is to share the wisdom of his ancestors with all who are interested and to preserve Shuar traditions that are disappearing at an alarming rate. He speaks at international conferences and to students of all ages about the environment...

Photo from Michael Harner's last book "The Cave and the Cosmos"

Current projects
Current cultural preservation projects: Natema Jee cultural center, language cards, traditional plant rescue, selling traditional Shuar jewelry (photo)