Guyana, Suriname, Brazil create Indigenous healers network
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Traditional knowledge experts and healers from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil formed a new Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at the Iwokrama Forest in Guyana.
Representatives from Indigenous communities in the three countries met from September 8 to 11, 2026, to share knowledge about traditional medicines and cultural health practices.
The Amazon Conservation Team Guianas (ACT Guianas) and Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IICRCD) facilitated the meeting, building on previous exchanges to establish a regional organization focused on advocacy and continuity. The group aimed to create a platform for Indigenous healers and knowledge holders, guided by ethical principles and communication strategies. Participants exchanged best practices and explored ways to gain government recognition and integrate traditional medicine into national healthcare systems.
Brazil shared its experience with a public health system that includes an Indigenous Health Subsystem and a policy for integrative practices. ACT Guianas supports the transmission of traditional knowledge through programs like the Traditional Healers and Apprentices Program, while also coordinating fundraising and dialogue with governments. The meeting began with a spiritual cleansing ritual and included forest immersion activities and workgroup sessions to develop a three-year plan for the network.
ACT’s work emphasizes the connection between healthy forests, strong communities, and preserved cultures across the Amazon and Guiana Shield regions.
