More About Sápara

Building Power: Telling Stories of Resistance and Resilience to a Global Audience

When Gloria spoke to shareholders, the room paid rapt attention. Many had never heard an indigenous person speak about the impacts that oil drilling and climate change would have on their way of life. An issue that had seemed abstract became real, and the impact of their investment decisions gained a human face. Creating this personal connection, whether with corporate executives, policymakers, or fellow activists, is an incredibly effective way to bring about change.

Defending Indigenous Lands, Territories, and Resources at the UN

More than 1,000 representatives of indigenous peoples traveled to New York in late April to participate in the 17th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Amazon Watch supported and accompanied Amazonian leaders to call for respect and protection of their lives, cultures, and ancestral territories and an end to the harassment and death threats that they routinely face for their relentless opposition to the companies and governments driving the expansion of the fossil fuel frontier in the Amazon.

Standing Shoulder-to-Shoulder with Indigenous Women at Risk in Ecuador

A call for international solidarity to protect the rights and lives of Earth Defenders

"We are marching for our lives! Our sisters are being threatened, our rights are being trampled, and our territories are being destroyed. We are here as women to defend the Amazon against extraction. Enough is Enough!"

Indigenous Women March in Ecuador, Vow to "Defend Our Territory"

Women from different regions of the Ecuadorian Amazon gathered in the city of Puyo, Ecuador to mark International Women's Day

About 350 Indigenous women from across the Ecuadorian Amazon gathered here yesterday to celebrate International Women's Day, and, they say, to fight back against a system that violates their rights. Many women spoke out specifically against the extractive industries operating in their territories.

Indigenous Amazonian Women: Defending Mother Earth

On March 21st, 2016, International Women's Day, an Amazonian women's alliance was born when indigenous women from seven nationalities – Kichwa, Sápara, Shiwiar, Shuar, Achuar, Andoa, and Waorani – joined forces for the first time, marching together in defense of their rights, rainforests, and future generations.

My First Decade at Amazon Watch

Over ten years, I have been privileged to play a role in most of the organization's major campaign initiatives. While the moments of exhilaration, frustration, learning, anger, and beauty could fill a book, I want to share ten snapshots of key experiences that represent what serving with Amazon Watch has meant to me.

Sápara People of Ecuador Fight Big Oil For Broken Promises

"The UNESCO designation is supposed to conserve the culture and traditions of the Sápara"

The Sápara people of Ecuador are fighting to keep more oil drilling out of their territory, especially after a recent meeting with the Ecuadorean government that left the issue unresolved, and silence from an international organization that had given them protective status.

Oil Exploration Is No Way To Protect Indigenous Culture and Territories

The Sápara culture was declared a Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. In 2017, it is still in grave danger of being destroyed by fossil fuel exploration.

Even being recognized by the UN as a Patrimony of Humanity has not been sufficient to protect the culture and territory of the Sápara people, who face continued threats from oil drilling in their rainforest homes in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

How We Win: Speak Truth to Power and Build Solidarity

"Andes Petroleum will have the blood of my people on their hands if it doesn't stay out of our sacred rainforest.,"