Protecting the Amazon | Tribes on the Edge

It is estimated that the Amazon produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, and releases 55 gallons of water into the Atlantic Ocean every second. With no deforestation, mining, or poaching permitted on indigenous land, the last few tribes living there are the frontline guardians of an ecosystem crucial for life all over the world. Céline Cousteau—filmmaker, environmentalist, and granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Cousteau—has spent the past 5 years respectfully documenting, filming, and curating the story of all the Indigenous Peoples of the Javari to help them tell their story to the world.

Join us as Céline presents an exclusive screening of her new film and impact campaign, Tribes on the Edge. This raw and evocative documentary reveals the daily struggles of the last few remaining tribes who find themselves fighting for survival in the Amazon. Discover the importance of protecting this invaluable area of our planet, hear the deeply moving stories of the indigenous peoples who safeguard it on our behalf, and learn some of the simple things that you can do to help. 

About Tribes on the Edge

The story is set in an indigenous territory called the Vale do Javari in the Brazilian Amazon which spans 85,000 Sq KMs (the size of Portugal). This area is home to 6 recognized tribes, plus the largest concentration of un-contacted indigenous peoples in the Amazon. The Javari has been listed as ‘irreplaceable” by the IUCN because of its incredible biodiversity. Because there is no deforestation in the Amazon where there are indigenous territories, their presence provides a barrier to the destruction of the ecosystem and its flora and fauna.

The peoples of the Javari face risks to their survival as a result of numerous threats: contact with outsiders has brought in diseases that decimate their peoples, illegal activities such as hunting, fishing and gold mining are a constant assault, and the government is slowly dismantling all protection of their land and their human rights. Each day these 5000 indigenous warriors are fighting to protect their home. In effect, they act a crucial barrier to deforestation and thus a stronghold for climate change mitigation and preservation of biodiversity.

Humans and nature are intimately interconnected. Where there is environmental destruction, humans suffer. In the Brazilian Amazon, where there are indigenous communities, there is no deforestation. If they vanish, we lose the guardians of vital ecosystems and thus may lose that ecosystem as a result. This film has grown into a movement driven by a passionate effort to enact tangible impact through the Action, Communication and Education (ACE) initiatives. Tribes on the Edge will remind us all that our survival depends on our actions – to support and protect the people and the ecosystems they safeguard for the benefit of us all.

Céline Cousteau is a humanitarian and environmental activist working with a variety of mediums that range from documentaries to art, from consulting with corporations and foundations to public speaking. Each form shares the same message of interconnectivity between humans and the natural world. As a documentary film director, producer, and presenter, Céline is the founder and executive director of CauseCentric Productions, creating cause-focused content. Extending her family legacy and her expertise, Céline co-founded The Outdoor Film Fellowship, a nonprofit program whose mission is to empower young the next generation of filmmakers, creatives, and activists to inspire change through leadership, film, and the arts. Céline is ambassador for the TreadRight Foundation, on the board of directors of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and the advisory boards of The Himalayan Consensus and Marine Construction Technologies. Her previous work has included being Guest Designer for Swarovski and Member of the World Economic ForumCouncil on Oceans. With a degree in psychology and a masters in Intercultural Relations, Céline is fluent in three languages.

photos © Michael Clark