NEW YORK CITY, New York (April 17, 2019) – On April 23rd, Indigenous women leaders of the Americas will unite to advocate for Indigenous rights and protection of forests, water, communities, and the global climate during a public event organized by the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International concurrent with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) Eighteenth Session in New York City.

 

Across the Americas, Indigenous peoples are facing increasing threats to their lives, land, and cultures by industrial fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure. As the first and most impacted, women are at the forefront of resistance to the threats and in promoting the solutions needed to protect and defend Indigenous rights, traditional knowledge, forests, biodiversity, and the global climate. Indigenous women leaders of the North and South will share stories and solutions demonstrating how traditional knowledge guides their work as they challenge governments, corporations and big banks to stop destructive activities and promote indigenous-led solutions to uplift communities and stop the worst effects of climate change.

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Public Event - Indigenous Women of the Americas Protecting Mother Earth: Struggles and Climate Change Solutions, 2019

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WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 5:00 - 8:00 PM EST

WHERE: Church Center of the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plz, New York City, NY 10017

WHO:    

• Betty Lyons (Onondaga Nation, Snipe Clan) - President & Executive Director of the American Indian Law Alliance (AILA), USA

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• Sônia Bone Guajajara (Araribóia Indigenous Land of the Guajajara people) - Executive Coordinator for the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), Brazil

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• Catalina Chumpi (Shuar) - Coordinator of the Organization of Indigenous Women of Pastaza Province (COMNAP), Ecuador

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• LaDonna Brave Bull Allard (Lakota) - Historian, Founder/Landowner of Sacred Stone Camp, USA

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• Michelle Cook (Diné/Navajo) -  Founder and Co-Director of the Divest Invest Protect campaign, USA

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• Melina Laboucan-Massimo (Lubicon Cree First Nation) - Just Transition Director, Indigenous Climate Action, Canada

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• Leila Salazar-López - Executive Director of Amazon Watch, USA

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• Osprey Orielle Lake - Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, USA

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HOW: This is a public event, no UN accreditation is required. Please register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/indigenous-women-of-the-americas-protecting-mother-earth-2019-tickets-58654344724

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Rally and Petition Delivery - Stand with Indigenous Peoples of Brazil and the Amazon

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On April 23rd there will be a rally and petition delivery to show solidarity with the Brazilian Indigenous resistance and "Terra Livre", the national Indigenous mobilization in Brazil. Brazil's Indigenous peoples are under increasing attack with newly elected President Bolsonaro and his regime's devastating assaults on social and environmental protections.

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Indigenous organizations in Brazil are mobilizing locally and globally to protect and defend their communities, the Amazon rainforest, and the global climate. They have called on all of us in the international community to stand with them in solidarity and resistance to demand that the Brazilian government reinstate fundamental human rights standards and protect the Amazon's ecological integrity. WECAN International is honored to collaborate with Amazon Watch to organize this event.

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WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 2019, 1:00 - 2:30 PM EST

WHERE: Permanent Mission of Brazil, 747 3rd Ave, New York City, NY 10017

 

WHO: Featured speaker: Sônia Bone Guajajara (Araribóia Indigenous Land of the Guajajara people) - Executive Coordinator for the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), Brazil 

Organized by the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International and Amazon Watch

HOW: On the street in front of the Permanent Mission of Brazil. Additional information here: www.facebook.com/events/1208133292677359/

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Event speakers and Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network spokeswomen are available for media inquiries on the ground and via phone and email.