Today, Brazil formally set aside 125,000 acres of richly biodiverse rainforest as Yanawawa native territory, protecting the sacred land from deforestation and further resource development. The land is sacred to the community, not least because several burial sites are located in that swathe of pristine forest. Aveda Corporation, an American cosmetics and health products company, played a critical support role for the community in its efforts to secure rights to their traditional sacred land.

Aveda has used ukuru dye from the community in its makeup since the formation of its partnership with the Yawanawa in 1993. This was Aveda’s first partnership with an indigenous community and led to the development of a new village and ukuru plantation, financially enabling the Yawanawa to protect their lands from logging and rubber development. “After years of struggling together, it is extremely special for us to regain this important land,” says Tashka Yawanawa, Chief of the Yawanawa. “We thank Aveda so much for always supporting our efforts.”

“This land’s ecosystem supports the great web of life that the Yawanawa are a part of,” said Dominique Conseil, president of Aveda. “It is also the foundation of their cultural identity, history and dreams—and enshrines the burial sites of legendary warriors, Chiefs and Shamans. In a world plagued by climate crisis, it is still possible to reverse the trends; by taking action,we can all create a legacy of beauty and diversity for the benefit of future generations.”

The addition of this acreage to native lands means that a new total of 450,000 acres is under Yanawawa control. The community and Aveda will continue to work on securing formal rights to other areas of the Yanawawa traditional lands.