Amplifying Indigenous Peoples’ voices to advocate for protection of biodiversity and demand action at COP15
UN Biodiversity Conference – COP 15, Montreal, Canada
December 7-19
What is COP15?
COP15 refers to the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)— A two-week summit and gathering space for countries to create goals around conserving the natural world, its sustainable use, and the sharing of benefits of its “resources” and ecosystem services.
Governments have been meeting for the past three decades to ensure the survival of species and ecosystems. Unfortunately, not a single goal has been completely fulfilled and so far they have failed us. It is clear that we are suffering a global nature crisis and it is critical to take action that aligns with a thriving natural world.
Luckily, the world is full of passionate people and communities whose efforts have not gone unseen. This year at COP15 we expect decision making spaces to be open to frontline Indigenous peoples and local communities who have been working hard to protect and restore ecosystems, they have not failed us.
Why should we care?
Without biological diversity, there is no future. This year the COP15 theme is “Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth”. It will be the biggest biodiversity summit in a decade and a determining critical point for our future. This is our time to push “world leaders” to take action.
COP15 had been delayed for the past few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic this has slowed down and even halted efforts that would have been beneficial for nature. While the world came to a sudden halt, some ecosystems thrived while others met their end with a massively growing and deceptive extractive front.
As we globally aim to recover and heal from a violent colonial history— we need to be alert, attentive, and ready to take action. We have the power to choose caring and passionate global leadership, we have the power to call those who continue to fail us, we have the power to create change.
The time to protect the Amazonia is now.
Amazonian indigenous organizations representing 511 nations and allies unite in calling for a global pact for the permanent protection of 80% of the Amazon by 2025 as an urgent measure to avert an imminent tipping point. We must listen to the stewards of this land and to science. The time for action is now.
How can we support Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples are the best known stewards of land and many are the key caretakers of endangered natural ecosystems. Although there is momentum around land and sea protection, concerns about the rights of indigenous peoples remain. The best way to support Indigenous Peoples is advocating for their wisdom, knowledge, and experience of land stewardship to be part of the decision making processes. The five biggest threats to biodiversity are land and sea use change; increasing exploitation of natural resources; the climate crisis; pollution and invasive species—Indigenous Peoples have been on the frontlines of these threats for generations and have experience creating solutions through grassroots and communal initiatives.
The outcomes of COP15, will have a longterm effect on us all and ensuring the rights of Indigenous Peoples is key to protecting the biological diversity of our planet. The future of our planet is a collective shared reality, the responsibility to take care of it should be collective as well.
Join us in our mission to support Indigenous Peoples at COP15 CBD:
- Push for inclusion of Indigenous peoples in any CBD global agreement on Biodiversity
- Bring IPLC networks from the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) & the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities into closer discourse.
- Push EU decision-makers on new Deforestation law
- Learn whose land you are on and the history of First Nations in Canada. Amplify voices of Indigenous Peoples globally.
- Create awareness and open discussions about Indigenous territories and unprotected areas.
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY OUTLOOKS
Presenting perspectives and experiences on the current social-ecological crisis from indigenous peoples and local communities around the globe.
LBO illustrates their vital contributions to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity of the Convention of Biological Diversity, highlighting how IPLCs should play a key role in the development of global biodiversity policy.
Our Village Program Montreal –
December 06-11
Partnering with the Mohawk Kahnawake Village, Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) , Nia Tero, The Tenure Facility, Forest Peoples Program, the University of Quebec, Terres en vues/ Land InSights, Projecting Change, and more, INUTW presents “Our Village COP15” in Montreal.
The program will include talks by members from the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities and International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, along with panel discussions and Indigenous film screenings including features from the Nia Tero Wayfinders Program, the “The Territory” film in partnership with the Tenure Facility, National Geographic and Documist, and the award winning “Powerlands” film in partnership with Terres en vues/Land Insights
In addition, ‘Our Village’ will feature indigenous art and music.
Click here to RSVP for ‘Our Village’ events.
We are activating COP15 with large scale projection mapping on prominent Montreal buildings in partnership with Projecting Change. The content will feature images, film clips, and messages calling for Indigenous Sovereignty and Rights, along with Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity Protection.
Thank you to our sponsors: Nia Tero, The Tenure Facility, the Christensen Fund, Synchronicity Earth, One Small Planet, and Documist.
Projecting Change at COP15
WORLD RENOWNED ARTISTS, INDIGENOUS LEADERS, ACTIVISTS & STORYTELLERS UNVEIL POP-UP PROJECTIONS AT UN BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE TO DRIVE CHANGE AND INSPIRE HOPE FOR OUR PLANET’S FUTURE
Projecting Change amplifies the world’s most important messages, waking humanity up to the urgency of the climate crisis, and illuminating a bold vision for how we solve it – with the goal of galvanizing massive collective action.
For the UN Biodiversity Conference, INUTW will be supported by Projecting Change to produce a series of large-scale projection experiences to punctuate key moments and amplify indigenous media and messages throughout Montreal. We will leverage the content to drive further engagement through livestream, social media and network outreach.
Sponsored by
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting the Our Village events
Programing partners
Our Activities at COP15
Dec. 06 & 09
Projecting Change Activation
5 – 9 pm
Where: Prominent buildings in Montreal and Kahnawake Village
If Not Us Then Who? supported by content partner Projecting Change, will be projecting powerful art and messages on architecture in public spaces throughout Tio’tia:ke (Montreal) to garner public, delegate and media attention. The projection content is designed to amplify messages of Indigenous peoples of the world who reaffirm that Indigenous people are central to global biodiversity protection and agreements.
Dec. 10
COP 15 Biodiversity & Human Rights March
1 – 3 pm
Where: Montréal, Canada
INUTW will join our partners at the Quebec Civil Society Collective in the COP15 Biodiversity & Human Rights March through downtown Montreal. Our film team will capture key moments to amplify messages on climate, indigenous rights, and protection for biodiversity.
Our Village 2-Days Receptions
Dec. 10
Our Village: Reception Day 1
3 – 10 pm
Where: PHI Centre – 315 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3, Canada
Join If Not Us Then Who for an evening of panel discussions, Indigenous films, music, and art as part of COP15 Civil Society programming featuring key calls to action from leaders within International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) & the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC).
Opening Blessing with Ohontsakehte Montour – Mohawk Kahnawake Member from local Territory.
Remarks by Levi Sucre Romero- Co-Chair of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities.
Film introduction from Teofilo Kukush Pati, Pamuk (traditional elected leader) of the Wampis Nation (GTANW), and Nayap Atilio Santiago Velasquez, Deputy Secretary and the Director of Justice and Human Rights for the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation (GTANW).
Remarks by Helena Guilinga- Indigenous activist and delegate- Kichwa Sarayaku- Ecuador
Film screenings of Indigenous films include:
- ‘Powerlands’, award winning film by Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso, in partnership with Terres en vues/ Land InSights
- “IÑA NUNKE – Our Territory” presented by representatives of the Wampis Autonomous Territorial Government, in partnership with Nia Tero
- ‘Mo”a Oku- My Commitment’- a film by Victor Ika in partnership with Nia Tero & INUTW,
- “Udege” by Dilbara in partnership with Nia Tero Wayfinders and INUTW.
- “Sha’a” directed by Peregrino Shanocua Chaeta in partnership with the Tenure Facility
Panel topics will include:
- “How does storytelling heal trauma” moderated by André Dudemaine- Artistic Director of Terres En Vues & Land InSights, with David Hernandez- Indigenous Filmmaker & Ambassador, Victor Ika- Indigenous Filmmaker, Indigenous storyteller Eli Virkina – 5:20-6:05pm
- “Why are communities essential to nature based solutions” moderated by Carmen Rosa Guerra Ariza- Nia Tero, Jing Tauli Corpuz of Nia Tero/ IIFB, Levi Sucre from the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, Cristiane Pankararu from APIB, ANMIGA and GATC- 6:25-7:10pm
Art Exhibit- “We Are But One Thread“ featuring pieces from Indigenous storytellers Eli Virkina, (Santu Urku) and Kynan Tegar, (Sungai Utik).
Reception with food, drinks, Indigenous art, and music by Brazilian Terena DJ Erick Marky to follow.
Dec. 11
Our Village: Reception Day 2
3 – 9 pm
Where: PHI Centre – 315 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3, Canada
Join If Not Us Then Who for our second evening of panel discussions, Indigenous films, music, and art as part of COP15 Civil Society programming.
We’ll be showcasing these Indigenous film screenings:
- “The Territory” documentary in partnership with the Tenure Facility, National Geographic, and Documist,
- “Amazonia 2041” from Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance
- “ Li Kiampka-Our Descendants”- Miskitu peoples of Nicaragua, “Protectors and Growers of Mother Earth” – Zunu Indigenous Women, “Traditional Knowledge Provides Resilience to a Changing Climate” – Maya Kaqchikel Peoples, “How the Ogiek of Kenya are using mapping to advocate for their land rights”- Ogiek, “A Pgaz K’Nyau community in northern Thailand supports biodiversity and their local economy by producing honey” presented by Forest Peoples Program
Panel Discussion will include;
- “Amazonia Against the Clock: Where and How to Protect 80% by 2025” moderated by Atossa Soltani- Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative and Amazon Watch with Tabea Cacique- COICA, Zach Romo- COICS, Diego Casaes- Avaaz, Cyril Kormos- Wild Heritage, Brian Rohan- Client Earth – 4:45-5:30pm
- “Do we need a carbon market to support Indigenous sovereignty?” moderated by Andrea Johnson, Program Officer for Climate and Land Use Alliance, with Jack Wielebinski of One Small Planet, Armando Davila of EarthShot Labs, Jing Tauli Corpuz of Nia Tero/ IIFB – 5:40-6:25pm
- “Indigenous Visions of Ecological Transition for Amazonia” Moderated by Belen Paez, President, Fundación Pachamama Ecuador, with Domingo Peas Nampichkai, Territories Coordinator for Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative, Tabea Cacique (COICA / AIDESEP) – 6:40-7:25pm
Art Exhibit- “We Are But One Thread” featuring pieces from Indigenous storytellers Eli Virkina, (Santu Urku) and Kynan Tegar, (Sungai Utik).
Reception with food, drinks, Indigenous art, and music by Mohawk Kahnawake DJ Poptrt & DJ Dakini to follow.
Dec. 10 – 11
Film Screenings
During the ‘Our Village’ experience in Montreal, we will host a series of film screenings including:
- ‘The Territory’ film in partnership with the Tenure Facility (Saturday, Dec. 10th & Sunday, Dec. 11th)
- View trailer on youtube
- ‘Powerlands’, by Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso- winner of the Rigoberta Menchú Award
View trailer on youtube - “IÑA NUNKE – Our Territory” presented by representatives of the Wampis Autonomous Territorial Government, in partnership with Nia Tero
- ‘Mo”a Oku- My Commitment’ by Victor Ika from Rapa Nui + “Udege“ by Dilbara from Eastern Siberia in partnership with Nia Tero Wayfinders and INUTW
- “Sha’a” directed by Peregrino Shanocua Chaeta in partnership with the Tenure Facility
- “ Li Kiampka-Our Descendants”- Miskitu peoples of Nicaragua, “Protectors and Growers of Mother Earth” – Zunu Indigenous Women, “Traditional Knowledge Provides Resilience to a Changing Climate” – Maya Kaqchikel Peoples, “How the Ogiek of Kenya are using mapping to advocate for their land rights”- Ogiek, “A Pgaz K’Nyau community in northern Thailand supports biodiversity and their local economy by producing honey” presented by Forest Peoples Program
- “Amazonia 2041” from Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance
Art Exhibition
As part of ‘Our Village’ programming at the PHI Centre, INUTW is proud to present the exhibition “We Are But One Thread“ featuring two thought provoking bodies of work from Indigenous storytellers Eli Virkina, (Santu Urku) and Kynan Tegar, (Sungai Utik).
INUTW Director of Photography, Joel Redman curated along with the artists a sequence of images and texts igniting conversations around family, community, the forest, and the river systems found on their ancestral lands.
-Photography by Eli Virkina
Agenda COP15
Please find our Media Kit where you will get our key messages, partners information, as well as, partners events and related activities happening at COP15.
For more information about the agenda please contact [email protected] Media and Communications Officer.
INUTW Team
Meet our team joining the COP15
With a group of both Indigenous and non-inidgenous INUTW team creatives, from Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, UK and United States, we are heading to COP15 in Montreal, Canada, to visibilize the role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting the biological diversity of our planet.
We are committed to amplifying the voices of indigenous creatives and leaders. We welcome their wisdom, practices and strongly stand in solidarity with their demands for action. Storytelling is at the core of transforming and restoring not just the health of our planet but also healing each other.
David Hernández Palmar | Wayuu
Filmmaker | Producer
Colombia/Venezuela
Paul Redman
Founder & Executive Director of If Not Us Then Who
England
Jamaica Stevens
COP15 Lead Producer & Events Manager
United States
Enrique Ika Acuña
Filmmaker
Chile
Aram Vidal
Filmmaker
Cuba / Mexico
Roxanna Shohadaee
Producer
United States
Elizabeth Swanson Andi
Indigenous & Climate Activist, Photographer & Impact Storyteller
Ecuador I Santu Urku Kichwa
Mariel Jumpa
External Communications Manager
Peru
Becca Dakini
Projecting Change Producer
United States
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