WP 2 (objective 2). Cultural immersion methodological co-design. (Lead: MA Miguel Martins, MA Vinicius Shane, MA Monica Fonseca, Dr Adriana Portella).

Phase 1. Training Collaborative Workshops (prior to the field trip). A five-day training collaborative workshop led by the Indigenous leaders of the four ethnicities (which are hosting the team) and RICOP members will be co-designed to prepare the immersion field trip research team. The workshop sections will guide the research team on the following subjects: co-design of research methods, respect to the Amazon environment, sustainable behaviour, support Indigenous communities, learning about the Indigenous culture, and be mindful of carbon footprint in Amazon communities. Field trip safety and ethical issues will also be discussed, planned, and applied. The workshops will be held in the Indigenous Documentation and Research Centre, located within the Forest People Training Centre in the city of Rio Branco, Brazil. The research team has already contacted Renata Reluz, an Indigenous advisory in Brazil who supports sustainable research field trips in the Amazon. She will coordinate the field trip from the point of view of flights, rivers access, food, health insurance, translation support, etc (see section – Risk Management). She has already established contact with the four Amazon Indigenous ethnicities leaders, who will be hosting us in their communities and leading this training workshop.

Phase 2. Cultural immersion field trip (1 month). A 30-day cultural immersion field trip will be undertaken in six Indigenous communities (Aldeia Amparo Yawanawa; Clã Varinawa Vari Peo Noke Koi; Morada Nova Shanenawa; Ni Yuxibu Huni Kuin; São Joaquim Huni Kuin; Nova Empresa Huni Kuin) located at Acre state in Brazil (5 days in each community). We will be co-developing innovative climate research methodologies with four ethnicities (Yawanawa, Noke Koi Katukina, Shanenawa, Huni Kuin) led by their insights and experiences related to environmental challenges in the Amazon Biome. The Co-I Miguel Martins has established strong connections with these ethnicities since 2018. He is one of the founders of Yakã Institute, responsible for co-creating sustainable projects with Amazon Indigenous groups in Brazil. This WP aims to propose sustainable futures scenarios guided by Indigenous perspectives, and to challenge conventional research methods rooted in Western-centric climate research. We seek to co-design methodologies that truly represent the interests, beliefs, perspectives, goals, and voices of Amazon Indigenous communities. The field trip will also identify key priorities for each community in the context of climate change (e.g. water contamination, health, older adults and children, Indigenous land tenure rights, gender and role of women, issues related patriarchy, menstruation, sexuality, maternal health, reproductive rights, healthcare, etc). The focus is to co-develop ways to support these priorities through and beyond the research giving voice to the communities and bringing all their demands to the attention of national and international leaders. We will co-design gender-inclusive research activities that empower and uplift individuals, particularly women, in the face of patriarchy and gender prejudice. To avoid perpetuating existing gender disparities, this project will also ensure access to resources, decision-making, and benefits for all genders. An ethnographic approach based on Indigenous Centred Research (Ploder & Hamann, 2021; Matera & Biscaldi, 2021; Sylvester et al, 2020; Groh, 2018; Parsons, Fisher & Nalau, 2016; Simonds & Christopher, 2013) will support this WP. We will co-design informal workshops led by the Indigenous communities to discuss how new approaches, methodologies and tools could address climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the Amazon. Storytelling, Yarning, personal reflection, sharing circles, participation in ceremonies (formal and informal), art creation, dance, and ordinary `informal` conversations can be co-designed and incorporated into the activities (Atkinson, Baird & Adams, 2021; Bessarab & Ng’andu, 2010; Nakashima, Krupnik, Rubis, 2018). The following topics will also be discussed together with any other issues raised by the communities: burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, farming livestock, climate justice and colonialism. Issues of ethnicity and consent will be negotiated with the Indigenous leaders in WP2- Phase 1 to ensure that research representation and participation is carefully managed.

Phase 3. Data analysis. We will co-analyse data collected during the field trip. Firstly, we will have a five-day co-led workshop with Indigenous leaders, RICOP members and the research team. The objective is the co-creation of knowledge and data analysis methods identifying challenges to and opportunities for transdisciplinary and cross-cultural knowledge production. The focus is also to co-design initiatives through and beyond the research such as a documentary film, exposition and mini-doc as part of an integrated approach of demonstrable critical Indigenous world views to national and international audience, focuses on climate resilience, and raises up Indigenous voices. The workshop will be held in the same location of Phase 1 WP2 – The Indigenous Documentation and Research Centre.