Indigenous Women from North American Defending Biodiversity, Human Rights, and our Global Climate

During this virtual event held in parallel to the UNPFII, Indigenous women leaders will address a variety of topics, highlighting how Indigenous women are leading efforts to uphold Indigenous rights and sovereignty, including the right of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) with the aim of advocating to global governments and financial institutions that respecting Indigenous knowledge, ways of life, and FPIC, and the right to say “no” to continued extraction, is paramount to addressing the global climate and environmental crises. Speakers will also present solutions grounded in Indigenous knowledge and expertise for protecting and defending communities and Mother Earth.

Speakers include:

• Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation) | Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Turtle Island/Canada
• Tara Houska (Couchiching First Nation) | Tribal Attorney and Founder of Giniw Collective, Line 3 pipeline Resistance Leader, Turtle Island, Turtle Island/USA
• Dr. Crystal A Cavalier, Ed.D, MPA (Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation) | Co-Founder, 7 Directions of Service, Turtle Island/USA
• Monique Verdin (Houma Nation) | Director of The Land Memory Bank & Seed Exchange, Organizer with Another Gulf is Possible, Turtle Island/USA
• Jannan J. Cornstalk (Citizen of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians) | Director Water is Life Festival, Turtle Island/USA
• Moderation and Comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director