Our Stewardship

Yawa Bané is a recognized Pajé of the Huni Kuin people of Acre, Brazil. Yet he often speaks of his role with characteristic humility, saying, "I'm not the Pajé. Nishipa is the Pajé. I'm Yawa Bané." Through these words, he reminds us that the sacred medicine is the great teacher, and that his calling is to faithfully serve and carry the traditions entrusted to him.

As a traditional forest doctor, his role is rooted in the spiritual relationship between the Huni Kuin people, the forest, and the sacred medicines. He carries the ancestral teachings, Huni Kuin cosmology, ceremonial traditions, prayers, Huni Meka (sacred songs), and spiritual wisdom passed down through generations of his lineage.

Through ceremony, storytelling, and direct guidance, he helps preserve and share the Huni Kuin understanding of the sacred relationship between humanity, the forest, the spirit world, and the medicines. His guidance helps shape the spiritual foundation of our community while preserving the integrity of the traditions he has been entrusted to carry.

Yawa Bané offers spiritual guidance, ceremonial leadership, and ancestral teachings, helping others understand not only the ceremonial practices themselves, but also the Huni Kuin worldview and cosmology from which they arise. He helps ensure that the traditions shared through Medicine of Many Tribes remain rooted in humility, authenticity, reciprocity, and respect.

He does not participate in the administrative governance of the organization.

Yawa Bané, Huni Kuin

Spiritual Elder, Huni Kuin Guide, and Teacher of Huni Kuin Cosmology & Ceremonial Traditions

Teresa Padilla

Teresa serves as both administrative leader and ceremonial guardian of Medicine of Many Tribes. As Lead Steward, she bridges ancestral teachings with contemporary community service, helping create safe, grounded, and accessible opportunities for learning, healing, and connection.

Her responsibilities include supporting ceremonial preparation, participant readiness and integration, stewarding organizational development, and maintaining alignment between the spiritual communities operations and the spiritual traditions it honors.

She serves as a bridge between cultures, communities, and generations while helping carry the long-term vision of the organization.

Lead Steward and Founder

Teresa Schwinghamer serves as a grounding presence within the ministry, helping support participants, ceremonial flow, and community well-being.

Her role includes assisting with ceremonial preparation, participant support, maintaining harmony within gatherings, and helping ensure that individuals feel welcomed, seen, and supported throughout their experience.

She helps strengthen the ceremonial container through service, presence, and compassionate care.

Teresa Schwinghamer

Deputy Steward, Co-Founder

Jimena Yantorno

Jimena serves as Financial Steward and guardian of resource stewardship within Medicine of Many Tribes.

She oversees financial accountability, donations, offerings, and organizational resources while helping ensure that projects, ceremonies, and community initiatives are supported with integrity, transparency, and reciprocity.

Her role reflects the spiritual communities commitment to responsible stewardship and right relationship with resources.

Financial Steward

Shazia serves as Outreach Steward, helping strengthen relationships between Medicine of Many Tribes and the communities it serves.

Her work includes community engagement, outreach initiatives, communications, educational awareness, and helping expand access to programs, gatherings, and opportunities for service.

She supports the spiritual community by building bridges across cultures, communities, and collaborative partnerships.

Shazia Kikia

Outreach Steward

Nick Blanc

Nick serves as Steward of Integration, helping participants transform meaningful experiences into lasting growth and understanding.

Through reflection, guidance, and supportive presence, he helps foster personal responsibility, connection, and the integration of insights into daily life.

He serves as a bridge between experience, learning, and continued growth.

Steward of Integration

Carlos serves as a bridge between community, culture, and ceremony. He helps foster connection, support participants, and strengthen relationships within the broader Medicine of Many Tribes community.

His responsibilities include assisting with gathering preparation, participant support, logistical coordination, and helping maintain a welcoming and harmonious environment.

His work helps cultivate belonging, connection, and community engagement.

Carlos Ibarra

Community Steward

Catrina serves as Ambassador Steward, helping cultivate authentic relationships through compassionate presence, integrity, and service. She serves as a bridge between individuals, communities, and collaborative partnerships while helping others feel welcomed, seen, and supported.

She believes in the harmony of mind, body, and spirit as an essential part of living in alignment and recognizes that healing unfolds in its own perfect time, with a unique path for each person.

Her work reflects Medicine of Many Tribes' commitment to building meaningful relationships rooted in authenticity, reciprocity, and respect.

Ambassador Steward

Catrina Vigil

Join us in healing and honoring traditions

Connect

Follow

mmtinc25@gmail.com

720-364-1798

© 2026. All rights reserved.

Photography: Selected images throughout this website are by Daniel Cohen and are used with permission. We are deeply grateful for Daniel's generosity in sharing, through his reflective lens, the story of Lago Lindo, the Huni Kuin, and his guidance in helping tell the story of Medicine of Many Tribes.

Medicine of Many Tribes is a Colorado nonprofit religious corporation and is in the process of applying for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.