Nixiwaka Yawanawá, a 28-year-old Yawanawá Indian from Brazil, visited Heston Community School on Thursday 19th June to talk to Sixth Form Anthropology students about the plight of Amazon Indians, including the Awá tribe in Brazil.

Nixiwaka talked about the life and culture of his tribe and answered questions from the students. He also brought along elaborate headdresses and spears and bows and arrows that are used to hunt. He explained that the Awá are Earth’s most threatened tribe and one of the last remaining nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes in Brazil. But they are finding it increasingly difficult to hunt as illegal loggers, ranchers and settlers destroy their forest and chase away the game.

Nixiwaka said: “I’m very excited about speaking across the UK. It is a great way for me to highlight the problems that my brothers the Awá are facing.”

Mr Tom Maric, Anthropology Teacher and organiser of the visit, said: “The aim of Nixiwaka’s fascinating talk was to raise awareness about human rights of indigenous populations. A level Anthropology students will expand on his talk and create an exhibition and will also give talks and workshops for the younger years at Heston. This was a great opportunity for our Anthropology students to apply their knowledge and understanding of different anthropological issues surrounding human rights.”

The School is also raising funds to help Survival International help the Amazon Indians

To find out more about Anthropology click here

To find out more about Survival International click here

Nixiwaka will be walking Hadrian's Wall in June to raise money for Survival International - click here to support him