Indigenous Women Upholding Indigenous Rights and Knowledge, and Leading Climate Solutions

During this UNPFII side event we hear from global Indigenous women leaders on the impacts of

Indigenous Women Upholding Indigenous Rights and Knowledge, and Leading Climate Solutions

During this UNPFII side event we hear from global Indigenous women leaders on the impacts of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the climate crisis in their communities and how they are implementing solutions, practicing traditional knowledge systems, upholding Indigenous rights, and advancing policies and practices of care and climate justice.

Panel ONE
-- Ruth �chav’aya K’isen Miller (Curyung Tribe of Dena’ina Athabaskan) | Indigenous Climate Activist, Turtle Island, USA
-- Yasso Kanti Bhattachan (Thakali) | Founding Member and the Vice Chair of the National Indigenous Women’s Forum (NIWF), Nepal
-- Claire Charlo ( Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes)| Indigenous Feminisms Organizer, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), Turtle Island/USA
-- Xiye Bastida (Otomi-Toltec)| Co-founder and Board, Re-earth Initiative, USA

Panel TWO
-- Josefina Tunki (Shuar) | First woman president of the Shuar Arutam organization (PSHA)
-- President Whitney Gravelle (Bay Mills Indian Community) | President and Executive Council Bay Mills Indian Community, Chair of the Department of Interior’s Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee and Commissioner on the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, Turtle Island/USA
-- Michelle Woodhouse (Métis) | Water Program Manager, Environmental Defence, Canada
-- Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa) | Young leader of the Kichwa People of Napo, Land is Life’s Latin America Program Assistant, Ecuador
Panel moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director

WECAN is excited to announce the new Ponca Earthen Lodge Project for Food Sovereignty, based in Ponca Nation, Oklahoma! The project is being initiated through partnership between Indigenous Ponca

WECAN is excited to announce the new Ponca Earthen Lodge Project for Food Sovereignty, based in Ponca Nation, Oklahoma! The project is being initiated through partnership between Indigenous Ponca elder, Casey Camp-Horinek, the visionary of the project who will coordinate the program and WECAN. Please see this video message from Casey Camp-Horinek about the project.

The recent IPCC reports have made clear the harrowing impacts of the climate crisis to expect in coming years, and Oklahoma is no exception. Drought, heat waves, and climate disasters, like tornadoes, are expected to worsen throughout Oklahoma. As the climate crisis escalates the need for safe sanctuary that can house and feed impacted communities is also escalating. Most immediately this year, as part of this project, we are building a traditional Earthen Lodge for food security and sovereignty, safe haven during climate disasters, and to address rising domestic violence in the region.

The Earthen Lodge can withstand extreme weather conditions and provide space to grow and store Ponca traditional first foods and spaces for important cultural ceremonies.

Oklahoma ranks fourth in the country for crude oil production and extraction of natural gas. The Ponca tribe lives in a fossil fuel epicenter of fracking, pipelines, petrochemical plants, and refineries, which has led to severe pollution of the air, soil, and waters. The food will be grown using methods that rely on generational Indigenous knowledge, and provide safe and healthy food for the community. This project is led by Casey Camp-Horinek and the Women’s Society in the Ponca community. Stay updated and learn more about the program here: https://wecaninternational.org/earthen-lodge-project

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Women Leading Fossil Fuel

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Women Leading Fossil Fuel Phaseout and A Just Transition, Press Conference, COP28; Saturday, December 9, 2023, 5:30 - 6:00 PM

Women leaders shared vital reports and critical strategies to advance a fossil fuel phaseout and accelerate a Just Transition while supporting communities and ecosystems impacted by extractive industries and human and Indigenous rights violations.

Speakers Included:
💥 Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada
💥 Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Convenor and International Spokesperson for Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), Philippines
💥 Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada
💥 Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

Press Conference – Accelerating Feminist Solutions to the Climate Crisis, Saturday, December 2, 2023, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting

Press Conference – Accelerating Feminist Solutions to the Climate Crisis, Saturday, December 2, 2023, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world! This event was co-hosted by the Feminist Green New Deal (FemGND) Coalition, of which WECAN is a founding member.

​During this press conference, women and feminist leaders spoke to the root causes of the climate crisis as it is imperative to ensure the inclusion of feminist principles in a Just Transition. Speakers discussed feminist policies and frameworks that are necessary for advancing just climate policies, focused in the United States with global implications. Speakers included organizational representatives from the FemGND Coalition

💥 Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada 💥 Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Convenor and International Spokesperson for Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), Philippines 💥 Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada 💥 Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

Press Conference– Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis; COP28, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of

Press Conference– Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis; COP28, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Rights of Nature articulates a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems. Presenters shared successes from the Rights of Nature movement, and how it can offer a systemic framework for defending biodiversity, communities, and our climate.

Speakers included:
🌿 Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria
🌿 Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA
🌿 Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) and Executive Committee, Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, USA

On December 5, WECAN hosted our formal UN Side Event at COP28, “Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis.” During the side event,

On December 5, WECAN hosted our formal UN Side Event at COP28, “Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis.” During the side event, grassroots, Indigenous and frontline women, and representatives of global organizations presented climate justice strategies and solutions, including forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, renewable energy and a Just Transition, fossil fuel phase out and divestment, and protection of women land defenders.

Speakers included: Lucy Mulenkei (Maasai), Executive Director, Indigenous Information Network, Kenya; Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Braulina Baniwa (Baniwa), Executive Director, National Articulation of Indigenous Women Ancestrality Warriors (ANMIGA), Brazil; Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous rights activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil, Brazil; Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA; Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

During the event we also had a special appearance by Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, who shared a powerful testimony to the leadership of women in Brazil and globally. We are honored to have worked with Minister Guajajara for the past several years, and to see her continue her advocacy efforts in her newly appointed position.

In his insightful talk, Karan Sood explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence and technology in addressing the climate change crisis. He discussed how AI-driven innovations are

In his insightful talk, Karan Sood explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence and technology in addressing the climate change crisis. He discussed how AI-driven innovations are enhancing our ability to predict climate patterns, optimize energy consumption, and develop sustainable solutions for industries contributing to environmental degradation. By highlighting cutting-edge technological advancements, Karan emphasized the potential of AI to drive large-scale change, reduce carbon footprints, and accelerate efforts toward a more sustainable and resilient future in the face of climate challenges. Karan Sood is the CEO and co-founder of Fastor7, a global digital transformation company with a presence in India, the US, and Canada. With over six years of entrepreneurial experience, Karan combines technical expertise with innovative leadership. A graduate of IIT Delhi in entrepreneurship, he has been a TEDx speaker and has had his work featured in prominent outlets like Forbes, CNBC TV18, and YourStory. Karan is also known for leading the impactful CovidMealsForIndia.com initiative, which connected over 5 lakh people to food providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning him the Community Championships Award for his efforts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We present before you Ms. Ishanvi's thought provoking talk on climate crisis and how we can combat the issue through AI. Ishanvi Shetty is a 15 year old, 11th grader from GEMS Modern Academy in

We present before you Ms. Ishanvi's thought provoking talk on climate crisis and how we can combat the issue through AI. Ishanvi Shetty is a 15 year old, 11th grader from GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai. As an avid public speaker, debater and philosophy enthusiast, Ishanvi is deeply committed to youth empowerment and addressing the climate crisis.

She actively participates in sustainability initiatives, organizes and engages in dialogues, conferences and events and advocates for the environment through volunteering and entrepreneurial ventures. She is interested in the intersection of climate change and AI with a vision to make significant impact in this field. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this second part of a two-part program, we delve into the mind-bending proposition that we have a second chance to remake our broken food economy. Bren Smith, co-founder and co-Executive

In this second part of a two-part program, we delve into the mind-bending proposition that we have a second chance to remake our broken food economy. Bren Smith, co-founder and co-Executive Director of GreenWave, has created a revolutionary polycultural farming model that has low upfront costs, is easily scalable, and can help mitigate climate change. It’s called regenerative ocean farming and aims to redesign the food economy away from destructive, profit-driven practices and agribusiness monopolies in favor of democratizing the food economy.