Grupo Osanimi /
The Osa Foundation
Endorsements
“Jonathon is an ethical and reliable friend of the Secoya
People and his work with them ranks as very important. His knowledge
of the forest and his relationship with indigenous communities
is almost like that of a native.”
— Patricia Bastida, EtnoTur,
Ecuador
“I extend a sisterly greeting and in gratitude for the
good work GO does in benefit of the Secoya Nation.”
— Celinda Piaguaje, President
of OMSE, The Secoya Women's Organization
“The rainforest conservation work of Sparrow and his Indigenous
colleagues ranks among the most respectful, creative and promising
ventures underway on behalf of earth and ancient earth ways. This
is truly deep ecology in action - a privilege to behold.”
— Dr. Joanna Macy, Buddhist
scholar and living systems educator, author, and co-founder of
The Council of All Beings (CAB), a training in movements for peace,
justice and ecology
“Jonathon's collaboration as an ethnobotanist fulfills
important contributions in collecting medicinal plants and fruit
seeds of the area and contributing to the National Herbarium of
Ecuador from areas not visited, such as Napo-Galeras, slopes of
Cerro de La Plata Mountain Range, and the Headwaters of the Shiripuno
River. His seriousness, delivery, and professional talent are
a valuable assistance in complementing our objectives.”
— Dr. David Neill, Curator of
the Museo de Cienca Nacionales Herbarium, Ecuador
“With these few words, I wish to infinitely thank Jonathon
for the great assistance that he gives the Secoya People.”
— Angel Celestino Piaguaje,
Secoya , educator and author
“We certify that the book Jonathon has written with other
Huaorani youth for the Huaorani schools is a book that we are
anxiously awaiting to use in our schools.”
— From a letter by the community
leaders of the Quehueiriono Huaorani village
“Our friend Jonathon is always working and assisting us.
He is studying with our elders in collaboration with our leaders
and educators to write books for our youth.”
— Moi Enomenga, Huaorani Indian
activist and former Vice-President of ONHAE (Huaorani Peoples'
Organization)
“This is important work, needs to be supported and is
making a real difference.”
— Dr. Terence McKenna, ethnobotanist and author
“Jonathon Sparrow Miller-Weisberger and his colleagues
are doing important work for the preservation of tropical ecosystems,
and the indigenous gnosis of the forest inhabitants. They are
literally rediscovering the "roots" of humanity's million-year
old symbiosis with the plant kindom. Their work is ethical, motivated,
and deserves support. In this era of shrinking ecosystems, disappearing
species, and cultural dissolution the work of Jonathon and his
organization is of incalculable value for every species, and for
all species who share this fragile planet.”
— Dr. Dennis McKenna, ethnopharmacologist
and author
“I taught in medical school for 7 years and also pursued
post-graduate medical residency and fellowship training. I have
known hundreds of talented people. I recommend Jonathon without
reservation. His true zest for life and appreciation for the subtle
interconnections of all things within his world allow him to radiate
a respect and understanding for not only the rainforest but also
for all people. I think it is rare to find a young man who has
the awareness, maturity, conviction and discipline to work so
diligently and selflessly for issues that will ultimately affect
the whole world.”
— Dr. Leo Figgs, Eye physician
and Surgeon; 1999
“Grupo Osanimi/Group Osanimi is a group with tremendous
heartfelt dedication to the work of helping the Rainforest and
its peoples. Their work is at once sweat-and-grit practical, and
at the same time profoundly spiritual. These are seriously hard
working people who give the work everything they've got. At the
heart of their work is a rare sense of vision and inspiration.
They have deep respect for all of the cultures that they work
with. Integrity is their standard of measure. I sincerely support
their excellent work and their excellent goals.”
— John Tyler Garcia, permaculturist
and musician; A River Inside is Garcia’s first
CD
Note: We give credit to our
dear friend Garcia who coined the phrase "Vaya con Gaia."
“I support this work and urge you to do the same.”
— Dr. Haines Ely, dermatologist
and dermatopathologist
“Group Osanimi is doing courageous and innovative work.
By seeking out ways to assist cultural transmission while organizing
to protect Ecuador's forests, they are working to preserve ancient
botanical wisdom, not on some dusty bookshelf, but in the hearts
of indigenous youths and in the forest itself. This is a bold
and crucial step in these times.”
— Dr. Robert Hass, poet, United
States Poet Laureate, 1996-1997
“Jonathon Sparrow and the rainforest workers in Ecuador
are doing invaluable work. Not only with the Huaorani Indians
but with many tribal groups. These young people are conscientiously
recording botanical medicinals and new species of rainforest plants
and bringing hope to Indigenous People. We all have pride in their
efforts and support them in their endeavors.”
— Dr. Bill Mollison, originator
of Permaculture, author, biologist, farmer, teacher and Australia’s
Man of the Year.
“I feel with Jonathon I gained access to a remarkable region
of the world and was given insight and understanding.”
— Paul Theroux, author of The Mosquito Coast
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