About Our Foundation
Learn about our newly founded organization and our mission to protect indigenous communities and preserve the Amazon rainforest.
Our Story
Founded in 2024, The Thriving Tribes Foundation emerged from a deep commitment to protecting the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. Our journey began when a group of environmental activists, anthropologists, and indigenous rights advocates recognized the urgent need for dedicated support for Amazon tribes facing unprecedented threats.
As a newly established organization, we are building partnerships to work directly with indigenous tribes, including the Yanomami, Kayapo, Tikuna, Guarani, and many others. Our goal is to support their fight for land rights, healthcare access, and cultural preservation through innovative and respectful approaches.
Our approach is built on respect, partnership, and long-term commitment. We believe that indigenous communities are the best guardians of their ancestral lands and that supporting their rights is essential for preserving the Amazon rainforest for future generations.
Our Values
Respect
We honor indigenous wisdom, traditions, and self-determination, working as partners rather than imposing external solutions.
Sustainability
Our programs are designed for long-term impact, supporting communities in ways that strengthen their resilience and autonomy.
Protection
We advocate fiercely for indigenous rights and work to protect both communities and their ancestral lands from external threats.
What We Do
Land Rights Protection
We provide legal support and advocacy to help indigenous communities secure and defend their ancestral territories against illegal mining, logging, and land grabbing.
- • Legal representation in land disputes
- • Mapping and documentation of traditional territories
- • Advocacy with government agencies
- • Support for community-led monitoring systems
Healthcare Initiatives
We support healthcare access for remote indigenous communities, combining traditional medicine with modern medical care.
- • Mobile medical clinics
- • Training for indigenous health workers
- • Medical supply distribution
- • Emergency medical evacuations
Cultural Preservation
We help communities document and preserve their languages, traditions, and knowledge systems for future generations.
- • Language documentation projects
- • Traditional knowledge recording
- • Cultural education programs
- • Intergenerational knowledge transfer
Sustainable Development
We support community-led initiatives that provide economic opportunities while respecting traditional ways of life.
- • Sustainable agriculture projects
- • Eco-tourism development
- • Traditional craft markets
- • Forest management training
Meet the Team
Our Partnership Approach
The Thriving Tribes Foundation works in partnership with established nonprofits and indigenous organizations that have direct relationships with Amazon communities. We provide funding, resources, and support to these trusted partners who have the cultural knowledge and community connections necessary for effective, respectful collaboration with indigenous tribes.
Leo Oliveira
CEO & Founder
Leo is a high school student at Berkeley Preparatory School with a passionate mission to help end food insecurity among the Yanomami people of the Amazon. As a Borlaug Scholar—a prestigious recognition from the World Food Prize Foundation that honors young leaders working to address global food security challenges—Leo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to combating hunger and malnutrition in indigenous communities. He was selected to attend the Global Youth Institute, an elite program that brings together the world's most promising young food security advocates to collaborate on innovative solutions for feeding the planet's most vulnerable populations.
Dr. Guilherme H. Oliveira
Operations Director
Dr. Guilherme H. Oliveira is a distinguished cardiologist specializing in Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology at Tampa General Hospital. As a board-certified physician in this highly specialized field, he brings critical medical expertise to our foundation's mission of supporting indigenous communities. His experience in advanced cardiac care and commitment to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations aligns perfectly with our work to address healthcare challenges in remote Amazon communities, where access to specialized medical care remains limited.
Cally Bekhor
Program Coordinator
Dedicated program coordinator with a passion for indigenous rights and cultural preservation. Cally manages our partnership initiatives and coordinates with established nonprofits to develop culturally appropriate support programs.
Eduardo Sotomayor
Indigenous Affairs Coordinator
Dedicated Indigenous Affairs Coordinator with extensive experience in Amazon indigenous cultures and nonprofit partnerships. Eduardo specializes in vetting partner organizations, ensuring cultural sensitivity in all programs, and maintaining our commitment to indigenous sovereignty and customs.
Join Our Team
We're always looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to indigenous rights and environmental protection. Whether you're a lawyer, healthcare professional, anthropologist, or community organizer, there are many ways to contribute to our mission.
Get InvolvedJoin Our Mission
Together, we can protect indigenous rights and preserve the Amazon for future generations.