
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, July 24, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT
Andrew Miller, 202-423-4828, andrew@amazonwatch.org
Other Contacts Below
Historic Gathering of Indigenous Leaders Champion No Go Areas For Sacred Sites at IUCN World Conservation Congress
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 1–10. 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, 1:00–2:30pm, 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, 11am–1pm, 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, 7:30–9pm, 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, 8:30–10:30am, 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
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Danil Mamyev, Founder of Uch Enmek Nature Park, Altai, Russia
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Vyacheslav “Slava” Cheltuev, snow leopard shaman
Benin
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Ousoi Lio Appolinaire, son of local chief, Director of GRABE
Colombia
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Aura Tegría Cristancho, indigenous lawyer from the U’wa Nation
Ecuador
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Nina Gualinga, Youth Indigenous Leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador
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Patricia Gualinga, International Relations Director Sarayaku
Hawai‘i
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Emmett Aluli, Physician, Kaho‘olawe activist
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Davianna McGregor, History professor, Univ. of Hawai‘i
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Craig Neff, artist, activist, owner of The Hawaiian Force
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Luana Busby-Neff, cultural practitioner
Kenya
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Molu Kulu Galgallo, Gabbra ritual elder
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Simon Mitambo, Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders, African Biodiversity Network coordinator
Kyrgyzstan
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Kamil Mamadaliev, Manaschi (reciter of Manas epics)
Malaysia: Borneo
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Komeok Joe, Penan Leader
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Peter Kallang, Kenyah Leader, Chairman of Save Sarawak Rivers
Mongolia
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Altantsetseg Tsedendamba, Association for Protection of Altai Cultural Heritage
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Oyunbaatar Tseren, shaman, Tengriin Sylder Shamans Association
Papua New Guinea
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Melchior Ware, biologist, Bosmun village elder
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Banak Gamui, biologist, Executive Director of the Karawari Caves Arts Project
United States
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Caleen Sisk, Winnemem Wintu Chief
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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, 202-423-4828
Sacred Land Film Project, Christopher (Toby) McLeod, tm@sacredland.org, 650-400-9000
Gaia Foundation, Fiona Wilton, fiona@gaianet.org, +57-316-4901699
Borneo Project, Jettie Word, jettie@borneoproject.org, 505-250-3843
Altai Project, Jennifer Castner, 510-393-5525
Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN International), Emily Arasim, emily@wecaninternational.org, 505-920-0153
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The Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International
www.wecaninternational.org - @WECAN_INTL
The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International is a 501(c)3 and solutions-based organization established to engage women worldwide in policy advocacy, on-the-ground projects, trainings, and movement building for global climate justice.