Indigenous-led alternatives to state-led conservation.
A panel discussion featuring:
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Lizardo Cauper Pezo, President Coshikox, Consejo Shipibo Konibo Xetebo, Peruvian Amazon.
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Gloria Ushigua, Coordinator of the Sápara women's organisation Ashiñwaka, Ecuadorian Amazon.
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Laura Yawanawá, Yawanawá People, Brazilian Amazon.
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Lucia Ixchiu / Iximulew, cultural manager and forest protector, K'iche, Mayan in exile.
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With remote participation by Guardia Indigena Shipibo and Area Legal Coshikox.
Moderated by Columba González-Duarte, assistant professor of Anthropology, New School for Social Research
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Tuesday April 16th 2024
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Church Center for the United Nations
10th floor
777 UN Plaza
New York New York 10017
As an official UNPFII side event, this is a panel on Indigenous Ecological Areas – understood as territories led by Indigenous communities as alternatives to state-led and international top-down conservation models. and with a commitment to: i/ resist extractive capital, monoculture farming and destructive state projects; ii/ proliferate biodiversity and work towards ecological balance in forests and waterways; iii/ promote the rights and knowledge of Indigenous lifeways and spiritual understanding of ecology; iv/ reject exclusionary conservation models.
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It has been shown over and over again that Indigenous territories have the highest rates of biodiversity and lowest rates of deforestation, yet in practice there is very little support for Indigenous-led ecological territories and in most contexts legal frameworks are seriously lacking. Presenters on this panel have been leaders in developing and promoting Indigenous Ecological Areas. The conversation will be a platform for ecological Indigenous communities and territories to share strategies and knowledges.
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How do Indigenous Ecological Areas relate to the state?
What is their relation to state-led or international conservation models?
How might they find legal recognition and financial sustainability within national or international settings?
How do they articulate with Indigenous autonomy movements?
What potential do they hold for alternative futures?
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Organized in collaboration with Tribal Link Foundation and the Anthropology Department - New School for Social Research. Special thanks to Nina Kantacheva Tushev and Velda Dhanoolal.
