WHAT: A delegation of 25 powerful indigenous leaders from around the world will attend the quadrennial IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Honolulu, Hawai’i, from September 1 to 10. The WCC is the world’s largest recurring conservation event attended by government, corporate, nonprofit and academic leaders, among its many influencers. The indigenous delegation will amplify the connection between indigenous peoples and biodiversity in sacred cultural landscapes, including the world’s lands, seas and skies, which are vulnerable to climate change and other threats. They will both challenge and contribute to the international conservation movement at a critical moment in history, in part by promoting the concept of “No Go” policies that prohibit mineral and other resource extraction in World Heritage Sites, sacred natural sites, territories and primary forests as well as other indigenous solutions to climate change. The delegation will be working to pass Motion 026 on “Protected areas and environmentally damaging industrial-scale activities” viewable at portals.iucn.org/congress/motion/026.
KEY EVENTS
Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Conservation Activities and the Fulfilment of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
WHEN: Saturday, September 3, 1 – 2:30 pm, 314, UNDP Kauhale
WHO: The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz; Aura Tegria, U’WA; Gonzalo Oviedo, IUCN.
URL: portals.iucn.org/congress/session/12620
Workshop: From Rhetoric to Reality: Exploring laws, customary governance and No-Go area policies for future protection of sacred natural sites
WHEN: Sunday, September 4, 11 am – 1 pm, Room 315, Hawai’i Convention Center
WHO: Indigenous leaders from Hawai’i, Kenya, Ecuador, Ethiopia and Altai, Russia
URL: portals.iucn.org/congress/session/10217
Cultural Event with Film Screening: “40 Years of Aloha ‘Aina”
WHEN: Sunday September 4, 7:30 – 9 pm, Room 312, Hawai’i Convention Center
WHO: Craig Neff, Luana Busby-Neff and the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana
URL: portals.iucn.org/congress/session/15490
Workshop: A Deep Dive on Gender and Climate Change: Exploring Policy Progress, Implementation Challenges, and Women’s Frontlines Solutions
WHEN: Monday, September 5, 8:30 – 10:30 am, Room 317B, Hawai’i Convention Center
WHO: Patricia Gualinga (Ecuador), Osprey-Orielle Lake (WECAN International)
URL: portals.iucn.org/congress/session/10233
INDIGENOUS LEADERS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS
Altai Republic, Russia
Danil Mamyev, Founder of Uch Enmek Nature Park, Altai, Russia
Vyacheslav “Slava” Cheltuev, snow leopard shaman
Benin
Oussoi Lio Appolinaire, son of local chief, Director of GRABE
Colombia
Aura Tegría Cristancho, indigenous lawyer from the U’wa Nation
Ecuador
Nina Gualinga, Youth Indigenous Leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador
Patricia Gualinga, International Relations Director Sarayaku
Hawai’i
Emmett Aluli, Physician, Kaho’olawe activist
Davianna McGregor, History professor, Univ. of Hawai’i
Craig Neff, artist, activist, owner of The Hawaiian Force
Luana Busby-Neff, cultural practitioner
Kenya
Molu Kulu Galgallo, Gabbra ritual elder
Simon Mitambo, Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders, African Biodiversity Network coordinator
Kyrgyzstan
Kamil Mamadaliev, Manaschi (reciter of Manas epics)
Malaysia: Borneo
Komeok Joe, Penan Leader
Peter Kallang, Kenyah Leader, Chairman of Save Sarawak Rivers
Mongolia
Altantsetseg Tsedendamba, Association for Protection of Altai Cultural Heritage
Oyunbaatar Tseren, shaman, Tengriin Sylder Shamans Association
Papua New Guinea
Melchior Ware, biologist, Bosmun village elder
Banak Gamui, biologist, Executive Director of the Karawari Caves Arts Project
United States
Caleen Sisk, Winnemem Wintu Chief
Dorothy FireCloud, Rosebud Sioux, National Park Service superintendent
Click here for more detailed information on events and detailed biographies of indigenous leaders.
CONTACTS
Amazon Watch, Andrew Miller, andrew@amazonwatch.org, +1.202.423.4828
Sacred Land Film Project, Christopher (Toby) McLeod, tm@sacredland.org, +1.650.400.9000
Gaia Foundation, Fiona Wilton, fiona@gaianet.org, +57.316.4901699
Borneo Project, Jettie Word, jettie@borneoproject.org, +1.505.250.3843
Altai Project, Jennifer Castner, +1.510.393.5525
Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN International), Emily Arasim, emily@wecaninternational.org, +1.505.920.0153
