In a recent webinar, ACT-Brasil spotlighted the vital role of Indigenous medicine in today’s world. From scientific recognition to intercultural healthcare solutions, the “Paths of Healing” conversation explored how ancestral knowledge can and should transform public health practice and policy—and why investing in it is essential for people and the planet.
5 Highlights from the Indigenous Medicine Webinar
1- Indigenous medicine is science.
Indigenous medicine is not simply tradition or spirituality: it is a complex, effective system of care, with real and positive results accepted by Indigenous communities and public health professionals alike.
2- The Ankarani Program – conducted at the Kapai and Aretina Guardians of Ancestral Knowledge Center in the Tiriyo village of Urunai in the northeastern Brazilian Amazon – demonstrates that the Integration of indigenous and Western healthcare practices is not only possible, but desirable.
In the Tumucumaque region, the program strengthens ancestral knowledge by training Indigenous youth in the use of medicinal plants, and the classes are offered by specialists in the Tiriyó language.
3- Intercultural collaboration saves lives.
Experts like Indigenous nurse Demetrio Tiriyó have demonstrated how Indigenous and Western knowledge can be combined in the treatment of various diseases, resulting in positive results both clinically and within the community.
4- It’s time to recognize and invest.
Intercultural hospitals, training for professionals to understand the importance of the topic, and public policies that value Indigenous medicine are urgently needed.
5- Indigenous medicine is key to our future.
Caring for the rainforest, the rivers and the land is caring for health. Indigenous healing practices go hand-in-hand with biodiversity protection and are vital in the struggle to mitigate climate change and in managing health crises like future pandemics.
Watch the Ankarani Program in action
To dive deeper into this powerful work, watch our short film about the Ankarani Program for the Promotion of Indigenous Medicine. Developed by ACT-Brasil in partnership with the Indigenous organization APITIKATXI, the program supports the traditional healing practices of the Tiriyó, Kaxuyana, and Txikiyana peoples in the western Tumucumaque region, near Brazil’s border with Suriname.
The video captures the inauguration of the Kapai and Aretina Guardians of Ancestral Knowledge Center—now a vibrant space for training, cultural exchange, and the strengthening of ancestral knowledge.
Why this Indigenous Medicine Webinar matters for the Amazon and beyond
By supporting Indigenous-led health solutions, we are not only strengthening communities but also safeguarding biodiversity, cultural heritage, and planetary health.
Join us in this journey. Share this story, watch the video, and help amplify the voices of those keeping ancestral knowledge alive for generations to come.
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