NEW YORK CITY, New York – On April 17, global Indigenous women leaders 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 at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) twenty-third session in New York City. The event is open to the public.

Worldwide Indigenous peoples are facing increasing threats to their lives, land, and cultures by industrial extractive industries, and worsening climate disasters. As the first and most impacted, women are at the forefront of both resistance to climate and environmental threats, and in implementing the solutions needed to protect and defend Indigenous rights, traditional knowledge, forests, biodiversity, and the global climate. Indigenous women leaders will present advocacy work and solutions demonstrating how they are challenging governments, corporations and big banks to stop destructive activities and promoting indigenous-led solutions to uplift communities, protect biodiversity, and advance policies and practices of care and climate justice.

Public Event -  Indigenous Women Upholding Indigenous Rights and Knowledge, and Leading Climate Solutions

WHEN: Wednesday, April 17, 5:00 - 8:00pm ET

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

WHO:

• Olivia Bisa Tirko (Chapra Nation), President of the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Chapra Nation

• President Whitney Gravelle (Bay Mills Indian Community), President and Executive Council Bay Mills Indian Community, Turtle Island/USA

• Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA

• Shirley Krenak (Krenak), Founder of the Shirley Djukurna Krenak Institute, Co-founder of ANMIGA, Brazil

• Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa), from the Kichwa People of Serena, Leader of Economy and community development of CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon)

• Luzbeidy Monterrosa (Wayuu), Filmmaker and Founder of Shinyak Kashikai, Colombia

• Dr. Crystal A Cavalier, Ed.D, MPA (Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation), Co-Founder, 7 Directions of Service, Turtle Island, USA

• Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous rights activist, Environmental Health Program Consultant for the International Indian Treaty Council, WECAN Coordinator, Brazil

• With moderation by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

HOW: This is a public event, no UN accreditation is required. Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/WECAN-UNPFII24

WECAN will also be coordinating other events in-person and online throughout April 15-20, please find a full list of activities here.