What if the world had a protective, preserving force scattered across the planet that has been in the most precious places for thousands of years, even in the face of violence, colonialism, genocide, untold trauma, destruction and ignorance? What if these peoples had stayed true to humanity’s relationship to all other beings? What if this careful guardianship was one of the most effective and powerful ways to protect and restore the planet? Indigenous peoples are the unyielding guardians of at least 38 million square kilometers in 87 countries, a quarter of Earth’s surface. After a ceremony by a traditional elder and a short video, our host will guide a discussion on guardianship featuring Indigenous leaders from 4 continents.
This session was curated in partnership with Nia Tero.
Dr Teina Rongo is the Chairperson for environmental NGO, Kōrero o te `Ōrau, based on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Teina is a Cook Islands Māori, raised in a family where subsistence planting and fishing was a normal practice. This nurtured his love for the marine environment, motivating him to…
World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners and Organic Aimak, Individual
Sultan Sarygulov was born and raised in the Talas region of Kyrgyz Republic. He has a degree in law and beekeeping. Expert in traditional Indigenous knowledge and culture, strong advocate and practitioner of agroecology and food sovereignty, he is one of the founders of the organic movement in…
Physician, attorney and health policy advocate, Michael is a senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He works tirelessly scouring the nation and the world looking for ideas and innovation that will help build a better, just and healthier future for all on a rapidly warming planet. In…
Malih Ole Kaunga is the founder of OSILIGI(HOPE) in Maasai. OSILIGI later transformed into IMPACT is an organisation that exists to organise, build and strengthen indigenous peoples’ social movements in Kenya. Key areas of intervention are climate and adaptation, human rights, community self…
Senior Global Policy and Advocacy Lead, Nia Tero Foundation
Jennifer Tauli Corpuz coordinates the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Program of Tebtebba – Indigenous Peoples’ International Center for Policy Research and Education, an organization based in the Philippines. An indigenous woman from the Kankana-ey Igorot People, and a lawyer by profession, she attends…
Jess Housty is a mother, writer, educator, and community organizer from the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella, BC, Canada. She serves her community as the Executive Director of Qqs (Eyes) Projects Society, a Heiltsuk charitable non-profit leading land-based cultural programming for youth and families…
