Indigenous Visibility Campaign

“It is not an option but rather an obligation to speak out, all of us together, to demand changes. I do not imagine my life without my activism. It is my conviction to do it and it makes me want to live.” — Betty Vasquez

Betty Vásquez Rivera is a woman human rights defender, environmentalist, and feminist working with the organization Movimiento Ambientalista Santabarbarense in Honduras.

She belongs to the Lenca people in Honduras and is a human rights defender, feminist, and environmentalist. Founder of the departmental network of women in Santa Barbara, a member of the national women's movement, and a founder of the Santa Barbara Environmental Movement, which she currently coordinates. Betty is linked to national spaces and institutions for the defense of the territory and climate justice.

Santa Bárbara is the department with the greatest insertion of the mining and hydroelectric industry in Honduras. Of the 537 extractive projects in the country, 98 mining concessions are located in Santa Bárbara, a territory highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The Santa Barbara Environmental Movement M.A.S. is an organization that fights for the defense of human and environmental rights. Since its origins in 2011, M.A.S. has been organizationally strengthened by the Lenca population and its main leaders are women, whose fundamental pillar is to contribute to gender equality. In recent years the organization has been led by the leader Betty Vásquez Rivera, a defender of Human and Environmental Rights. Betty is interested in raising awareness among communities about climate change, its effects, consequences, and new forms of collective resilience.

Articles https://sites.google.com/im-defensoras.org/semillasdecambio/honduras/betty-del-carmen-vásquez-rivera

https://fondocentroamericano.org/honduran-women-create-a-solidarity-fabric-against-extractivism/

https://contracorriente.red/en/2021/02/26/storms-provide-perfect-excuse-to-build-more-dams-without-community-input/

Radio

Film https://documentaldosrios.com\

https://youtu.be/AJ6z84B3ees?si=NGwakww3TYeMmYe_

“This is my message to the Western World -your civilization is killing life on earth!” — Namonte Nenquimo

Nemonte Nenquimo, an Indigenous Waorani leader from the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, stands as a passionate advocate for the rights of her people and environmental preservation. Born into the Waorani community, Nenquimo has been a steadfast defender of her ancestral land and the rainforest's biodiversity. Her commitment to the cause became internationally recognized when she played a pivotal role in a landmark legal victory against oil extraction in the Ecuadorian Amazon. As the President of the Waorani Pastaza Organization, Nenquimo led her community in a successful legal battle that resulted in the Ecuadorian court ruling to protect half a million acres of rainforest from oil drilling, setting a crucial precedent for Indigenous rights and environmental conservation.

Nenquimo's advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, as she actively engages in global conversations about the importance of safeguarding Indigenous territories and combating climate change. Her work has earned her accolades and awards, making her a prominent voice for environmental justice and Indigenous empowerment on the world stage. Nenquimo's life story serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of Indigenous communities in the face of environmental threats, and she continues to inspire others to join the fight for a sustainable and equitable future.

Articles https://time.com/6240836/indigenous-women-beating-big-oil/

https://www.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2020/nemonte-nenquimo

In Conversation https://www.synchronicityearth.org/an-interview-with-nemonte-nenquimo/

https://www.theconduit.com/insights/climate-change-sustainability/nemonte-nenquimo-in-conversation-with-alice-aedy/

Social https://www.instagram.com/nemonte.nenquimo/

Video https://www.ted.com/talks/nemonte_nenquimo_the_forest_is_our_teacher_it_s_time_to_respect_it?language=en

Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nemonte-nenquimo-saving-the-amazonian-rainforest/id1526708048?i=1000570245264

“How I stand will not be shaped by who I stand against, but instead who I stand for, and who I stand with.” — Pua Case

Pua Case was born and raised on the Island of Hawai’i surrounded by the high mountains of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and Kohala. She is a Kumu Hula, a teacher of traditional dance and chant, and a teacher of the ways, culture and traditions of the kanaka maoli or native peoples of Hawai’i. With a degree in Hawaiian Language and culture, and a teaching degree in Social Studies, interwoven with the traditional teachings, philosophies and expectations from her kupuna or elders, Pua has integrated ‘Ike Hawai’i or Hawaiian knowledge and lessons into the public school system for over 30 years. Pua sits on various educational and cultural boards including the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, Waimea Community Education Hui, and MKEA, Mauna Kea Education and Awareness. Pua and her family are petitioners in the Contested Case hearing filed on behalf of Mauna Kea Mountain. As a representative of the Mauna Kea ‘Ohana Na Kia’I Mauna, Idle No More Hawai’i Warriors Rising and Idle No More Mauna, Kea she and her family have traveled throughout the continent, to Europe and various places across the Pacific to network, support and address the issues and challenges facing sacred places and life ways of the people of Hawaiʻi.

Social https://www.instagram.com/puacase/reels/

Music

Video

In Conversation

Audio https://news.berkeley.edu/2022/09/09/berkeley-talks-pua-case-on-mauna-kea

https://beta.prx.org/stories/110844

“Not only are Indigenous people forced to shoulder the burden of colonialism; they are expected to celebrate it!” — Tanja Tagaq

Tanya Tagaq is an Inuk throat singer, composer, and advocate hailing from Canada's Arctic region. Born in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Tagaq has become renowned for her innovative and powerful approach to Inuit throat singing, a traditional vocal practice rooted in Inuit culture. Her groundbreaking work blends traditional techniques with contemporary styles, creating a mesmerizing and emotionally charged sonic experience. Tagaq's artistry extends beyond music; she is a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights, environmental issues, and the preservation of Inuit culture. In her acclaimed albums like “Animism” and “Retribution,” Tagaq addresses themes of identity, colonization, and the impacts of climate change, using her platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities.

Tanya Tagaq's singing is a visceral and transformative experience that transcends traditional boundaries, encapsulating the raw beauty of Inuit throat singing. Her performances are characterized by an awe-inspiring range, seamlessly weaving between guttural growls, ethereal whispers, and rhythmic pulsations. Tagaq's mastery of this ancient Inuit vocal tradition is not only a testament to her deep cultural roots but also a testament to her fearless innovation. Through her singing, she navigates a profound emotional landscape, confronting themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring spirit of Indigenous communities. Tagaq's vocal artistry not only captivates audiences with its unique sound but also serves as a powerful conduit for storytelling, cultural preservation, and a forceful call to action on issues close to her heart.

Tanya Tagaq has received widespread recognition and numerous awards for her contributions to the arts. She is a Polaris Music Prize winner and has collaborated with artists across various genres, showcasing the versatility and universality of her artistic expression. Tagaq's commitment to cultural revitalization, environmental activism, and pushing artistic boundaries positions her as a transformative figure in the contemporary music landscape, leaving an indelible mark on both Indigenous and global artistic communities.

Website https://www.tanyatagaq.com

Social https://www.instagram.com/tanyatagaq/

Music

Video https://www.youtube.com/tanyatagaq

In Conversation

Book https://www.andotherstories.org/split-tooth/\