Raise Your Voice, Tell Your Story - Lucia Ixchiu

Lucia Ixchiu, cultural promoter, journalist, feminist, and Co-Founder of Festivales Solidarios, reflects on the deep connections formed at ‘Our Village.’ During a gathering of Indigenous communicators, Lucia shared a song to express love, solidarity, and the beauty of unity.

Indigenous Storytelling in Action - Peregrino

Through Our Village and the support of If Not Us Then Who, Peregrino, an Indigenous filmmaker from Madre de Dios, Peru, discovered not only his passion but his purpose: to tell real stories from within his community—stories of resistance, resilience, and the urgent threats they face. From the Amazon to international film stages, Peregrino is part of a powerful movement of Indigenous storytellers using cinema to reclaim their narratives.

United for the Mother Earth - Nura Batara

For Nura Batara, ‘Our Village’ is more than a gathering space—it’s a sanctuary for changemakers. A place where shared struggles turn into collective action, and where kindness and positivity fuel the fight to protect our planet.

Storytelling, Resistance & Hope - Priscila Tapajowara

Priscila Tapajowara reflects on the power of storytelling, the growing presence of Indigenous women in media, and the urgent need to amplify voices in decision-making spaces. From Casa Mono to Our Village, each moment of connection fuels the fight for Mother Earth.

The Power of Connection – Tirza Yanira Ixmucané

Tirza Yanira Ixmucané (Mayan K’iche I Guatemala) reflects on the transformative experience of Our Village, where film, art, and shared moments foster deep connections across cultures and movements. In these spaces, dialogue extends beyond words—through food, creativity, and collective action.

Reframing Narratives - Paul Redman

Paul Redman, Founder and Executive Director, reflects on the journey and mission that has shaped If Not Us Then Who and Our Village.

Harnessing Power for Change

Dr. Mustaga Ali passionately calls for everyone to use the power they have to inspire positive change and uplift those who are often overlooked or unheard.

Who Truly Benefits from Deforestation?

Zenzi shines a light on the complex web of interests involving investors and markets, prompting reflection on the need for accountability and responsible practices in the face of environmental degradation.

 A Call to Action for Global Environmental Guardianship

Highlighting the profound interconnectedness of our world, Rukka emphasizes the far-reaching impact of decisions made in distant places like New York on tropical forests elsewhere in the world.

Senator Liz Kruger's Call to Environmental Action

In the aftermath of major wildfires in Canada that plunged New York City into an orange haze, the severity of the environmental impact became impossible to ignore. Senator Kruger shares how the collective realization prompted lawmakers to take swift action, introducing significant environmental bills for the Senate, including the NY Deforestation Free Act.

A Journey of Indigenous Communication

As an Indigenous communicator, Peregrino reflects on his life experiences and the transformative journey to become a filmmaker and storyteller. Peregrino discusses the technological hurdles faced by indigenous communicators and the growth that comes from mastering these filmmaking tools to craft their stories.

Indigenous Leadership to Address Conservation Challenges

In 2020, during the pandemic, as many foreign investors fled the country, local Maasai communities stepped in and took the management and leadership of the conservancies into their hands.

Our Tools are no Longer Swords and Arrows

Indigenous youth from North Sumatra have initiated a unique journey, taking their stories on the road with a self-launched film festival. Traveling from village to village, they share their films, amplifying their stories and sharing the art of filmmaking with those interested in learning.

Taking Media into our own Hands

Until recently, most stories about indigenous communities were produced during the colonial era. Using smartphones, Indigenous youth in North Sumatra Indonesia are reclaiming their own narrative through film and photography.

Defending Home

Through poignant reflections on family, love and stories, Elizabeth shares the transformative potential of stories to foster healing, hope and interconnectedness.

Voices for Change

In the face of the climate emergency, as declared in Brazil's ATL (Free Land Camp), Indigenous Peoples' voices become a crucial call to action. As the COP28 and COP16 approach, their mission is clear: to speak out against the financiers of agribusiness, deforestation, and violence.

The Power of Storytelling

Through poignant reflections on family, love and stories, Elizabeth shares the transformative potential of stories to foster healing, hope and interconnectedness.

Change is Possible

Ecuador's recent success in the Yasuní campaign stands as a powerful example of how collective action can drive positive change. 

We will be Guardians of our Territory!

The Huaorani, as Indigenous Peoples, are committed to safeguarding their territory by actively monitoring and alerting Ecuadorian society

Nature is a Subject of Rights

The recent milestone in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador, on August 20th, saw 59% of the population voting to leave fossil fuels in the ground, specifically in the ITT block. This significant achievement aligns with the broader success of prohibiting mining, including forest and full-scale metal mining in Quito, underscoring a 15-year journey in recognizing nature as a subject of rights.

BIPOC Storytelling is a Climate Solution

Culture moves faster than policies. Culture changes.BIPOC artists, disruptors, and culture bearers are driving the transformative power of culture, which plays a crucial role in redesigning our world. They inspire action through storytelling, reconnect us with regenerative practices, and shape a world where imagination drives change. BIPOC storytelling is not just cultural, but a climate solution as well.

A Global Movement Led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

A global movement led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, with support from numerous NGOs, has driven corporations to adopt no deforestation, exploitation, or exploitation of peat forests policies. Many corporations have voluntarily embraced transparency, tracing their supply chains to showcase responsible practices. However, these commitments remain voluntary.

The NY Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act is not a Radical Idea

It is time for New York State to take a lead in climate justice. Despite Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities being responsible for safeguarding over 80% of the world's biodiversity, their lands and rights are constantly threatened for the sake of global consumption.

The Solution for Carbon Finance Initiatives

So protecting forests is one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to address the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health. These efforts must be scaled up to meet biodiversity and climate goals, and the voluntary carbon market could be a major source of funding for forest protection and restoration.

Could the Carbon Market be a Major Source of Funding for Forest Protection?

So protecting forests is one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to address the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health. These efforts must be scaled up to meet biodiversity and climate goals, and the voluntary carbon market could be a major source of funding for forest protection and restoration.

Climate Finance for Indigenous People

A clear commitment is needed for the allocation of a specific percentage of climate finance to Indigenous communities.

Respecting Indigenous Rights with Climate Solutions

While the pursuit of renewable energy is a shared goal, there have been instances where this rush has led to further violations of Indigenous People's rights. We do not only have to think of the impacts of Climate Change but also of the solutions proposed to address it. 

Demanding Our Rightful Place at the Table

Indigenous Peoples continue to face exclusion from decision-making processes.

Bridging the Gap

We must come together to bridge the gap between funding mechanisms and Indigenous and Local Communities goals. Pointing fingers won’t help. We need to sit at the same table, understand each other’s realities, and find ways to collaborate effectively.

A Path to Reconciliation

The path to Reconciliation starts with a collective acknowledgment of the Loss and Damage experienced by Indigenous Communities. It’s not merely about participation but also about embracing our shared reality and addressing power dynamics.