Kayapo Field Course
and Internship Program
(to be confirmed)
Pará, Brazil
One of the only ways to visit the Kayapo Indigenous Territories
The Kayapo Field Course and Internship is a unique opportunity to learn and work with the Mebêngôkre-Kayapo and their network of NGO, university, and government partners.
Located at the southeastern Amazon's highly threatened "arc of deforestation," the Kayapo live in, manage, and protect one of the largest continuous tropical forest areas in the world. Guided by an Indigenous, Brazilian, and North American team, the program offers an experiential introduction to the issues, landscapes, and livelihoods of the Kayapo people.
After traveling through the Brazilian frontier, participants spend almost two weeks with the A'Ukre Kayapo community, immersing themselves in village life and learning about the Amazon forest at the Pinkaiti Ecological Research Station.
Anyone who enjoys being outside while learning from different cultures and natural environments
While most participants tend to be undergraduate or graduate students, the program is open to all. It is intentionally intercultural and transdisciplinary — program leaders have backgrounds in conservation biology, tropical ecology, geography, global education, public policy, anthropology, and more.
Topics can be tailored to your area(s) of interest. Participants may be eligible for university credits, and certificates of participation are available from the Federal University of Pará.
From the frontier to the heart of the Kayapo territory
The program takes place entirely in the Brazilian state of Pará, across four locations.
Marabá
A larger regional city — arrival, orientation and first impressions of the frontier.
Tucumã
A frontier town on the border with the Indigenous territory.
Into the territory
Leaving the frontier behind for A'Ukre.
A'Ukre village
A Kayapo community in the center of the Kayapo Indigenous Territory — and home for almost two weeks.
Pinkaiti
A historic ecological research station about 12 km from the community, administered and maintained by A'Ukre with NGO support.
The way home
Travel to Tucumã
Travel to Marabá
End of program
What's included
Not included
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Portuguese or Kayapo?
No. While some knowledge of Portuguese (or Spanish) is helpful, the North American and Brazilian team includes a fully bilingual English-Portuguese team, with varying levels of Kayapo proficiency. The Kayapo team from A'Ukre is fully bilingual Kayapo – Portuguese with varying levels of English proficiency.
The program is in the rainforest, right? What kind of stuff will I need?
We provide a detailed packing list to all participants. The program takes place during the dry season so rain is not common, but it does get cold in the evenings. Most important will be comfortable hiking shoes, a bathing suit, a warm jacket, and a warm sleeping bag.
Does Biome Conservation offer financial aid or scholarships?
Unfortunately, Biome does not have financial support available. 100% of the program fee goes to cover program costs, the majority returning to the A'Ukre community. We are happy to help you look for funding or write letters of acceptance or recommendation for any scholarships you are applying to.
Can I earn credits from my university for this internship?
Maybe. We do not have credits to give, but we can work with you to secure internship or independent study credits from your institution. We have a highly qualified team, a reading list, and syllabus available upon request. Certificates of participation are available from the Federal University of Pará.
Will there be an opportunity to trade for or purchase Kayapo artisan crafts?
Yes. At the end of every program, we have a trade fair with the community where the group exchanges hard-to-come-by gear (batteries, headlamps, tents, water bottles, etc.) for Kayapo artisan crafts (earrings, bracelets, baskets, masks, war clubs, etc.). You do not need to trade anything you are not comfortable exchanging. Both the Protected Forest Association and Pykore Association also have stores we can visit before or after A'Ukre.
Who are your partners?
The Field Course and Internship is a collaboration between the International Conservation Fund of Canada, Associação Pykôre, Protected Forest Association, and the Federal University of Pará. Other collaborators include Purdue University, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Maryland College Park.