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 

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INDIGENOUS LEADERS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS

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Altai Republic, Russia

• Danil Mamyev, Founder of Uch Enmek Nature Park, Altai, Russia 

• Vyacheslav “Slava” Cheltuev, snow leopard shaman

 

Benin

• Ousoi Lio Appolinaire, son of local chief, Director of GRABE

 

Colombia

• Aura Tegría Cristancho, indigenous lawyer from the U’wa Nation

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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

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Kyrgyzstan

• Kamil Mamadaliev, Manaschi (reciter of Manas epics)

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Malaysia: Borneo

• Komeok Joe, Penan Leader 

• Peter Kallang, Kenyah Leader, Chairman of Save Sarawak Rivers

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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  

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United States

• Caleen Sisk, Winnemem Wintu Chief

• Dorothy FireCloud, Rosebud Sioux, National Park Service superintendent

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Click here for more detailed information on events and detailed biographies of indigenous leaders.

 

CONTACTS

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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