Interviews available upon request
What: Amazonian indigenous peoples and grassroots social movements are leading the call to develop real solutions to climate change, including the imperative to leave two-thirds of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground, starting with the Amazon. A delegation of indigenous and grassroots leaders from Ecuador are traveling to New York City to participate in the People’s Climate March and to speak out during numerous public events in the days surrounding the march.
Who: A diverse delegation of passionate, knowledgeable, and seasoned Ecuadorian leaders, including:
- Patricia Gualinga – International Relations Director for the globally celebrated Kichwa indigenous community of Sarayaku in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
- Gloria Ushigua – President of the Women’s Association of the Sápara indigenous people.
- Esperanza Martinez – President of Acción Ecológica, co-founder of Oilwatch, and one of Ecuador’s most recognizable and influential environmental leaders.
- Elena Gálvez & Antonella Calle – Youth spokespeople with the Yasunidos movement, in favor of the Yasuní proposal to not drill in Ecuador’s premier Amazonian national park.
- Leo Cerda – Member of the Kichwa people and a climate, energy, and sustainability activist.
Short delegate bios can be found here; longer versions with quotes are here.
Highlighted Events
Friday, September 19th: “From the Heart of the Amazon: Youth & Indigenous Leaders Speak Out on Climate Change” Impact HUB, NYC @ 6:00pm
Patricia, Leo, Antonella, Gloria
Saturday, September 20th: Welcome and Hudson River Water Ceremony, Pier 25 on Southwest waterfront @ 10:30am
Sunday, September 21st: People’s Climate March – Indigenous convergence in Heckscher Lawns in southwest Central Park, @ 9am (map available) & indigenous block leading march @ 10:30am
Monday, September 22nd: Flood Wall Street Rally and Massive Non-Violent Civil Disobedience against Climate Profiteers. Rally featuring: Naomi Klein, Rebecca Solnit, Gloria Ushigua and more. Wear Blue!
A full list of the events in which Amazon Watch will be participating can be found here.
Esperanza will attend:
Sept 18 – Naomi Klein’s Book Launch
Sept 19 – Opening night peoples climate march: with Bill M., Vandana Shiva, Paul Hawken
Sept 21 9am – Media opportunity @ indigenous convergence in Central Park; 10am – Indigenous speak-out prior to march Columbus Circle
Sept 22 9-1pm – UN Opening Plenary; 1-3pm WECAN Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change panel featuring Jody Williams, Crystal Lameman, Patricia Gualinga and more.
Patricia will attend:
Sept 19 – From the Heart of Amazon: Youth & Indigenous Leaders Speak Out on Climate Change @NY Impact Hub, 394 Broadway
Sept 21 9am – Media opportunity @ indigenous convergence in Central Park; 10am – Indigenous speak-out prior to march Columbus Circle
Sept 22 9-1pm – UN Opening Plenary; 1-3pm WECAN Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change panel featuring Jody Williams, Crystal Lameman, Patricia Gualinga and more.
Sept 24-26 – IFIP Summit
Leo will attend:
Sept 18 – Naomi Klein’s book launch
Sept 19 – From the Heart of Amazon: Youth & Indigenous Leaders Speak Out on Climate Change @NY Impact Hub, 394 Broadway
Sept 20 9:30am – People’s Climate Youth Convergence
Sept 21 9am – Media opportunity @ indigenous convergence in Central Park
; 10am – Indigenous speak-out prior to march Columbus Circle
Sept 22 10am – Flood Wall Street Rally and Massive Non-Violent Civil Disobedience against Climate Profiteers. Rally featuring: Naomi Klein, Rebecca Solnit, Gloria Ushigua and more. Wear Blue!; 6-8pm CO2lonialism and Climate Justice: An Indigenous Worldview @New School
Antonella will attend:
Sept 18 – Naomi Klein’s book launch
Sept 19 – From the Heart of Amazon: Youth & Indigenous Leaders Speak Out on Climate Change @NY Impact Hub, 394 Broadway
Sept 20 9:30am – People’s Climate Youth Convergence
Sept 21 9am – Media opportunity @ indigenous convergence in Central Park
Sept 22 6-8pm – CO2lonialism and Climate Justice: An Indigenous Worldview @New School
Elena will attend:
Sept 18 – Naomi Klein’s book launch
Sept 19 – From the Heart of Amazon: Youth & Indigenous Leaders Speak Out on Climate Change @NY Impact Hub, 394 Broadway
Sept 20 9:30am – People’s Climate Youth Convergence
Sept 21 9am – Media opportunity @ indigenous convergence in Central Park
Sept 22 6-8pm – CO2lonialism and Climate Justice: An Indigenous Worldview @New School
Gloria will attend:
Sept 19 – From the Heart of Amazon: Youth & Indigenous Leaders Speak Out on Climate Change @NY Impact Hub, 394 Broadway
Sept 21 10am – Indigenous speak-out prior to march Columbus Circle
Sept 22 10am – Flood Wall Street Rally and Massive Non-Violent Civil Disobedience against Climate Profiteers. Rally featuring: Naomi Klein, Rebecca Solnit, Gloria Ushigua and more. Wear Blue!; 6-8pm – CO2lonialism and Climate Justice: An Indigenous Worldview @New School
Sept 23 2:15-3pm – Rights of Nature and Systemic Change in Climate Solutions
