Indigenous flotilla of kayaks and press conference demanding true climate solutions at COP21
Media advisory for: December 6, 2015
PARIS, FRANCE – During the COP21 climate talks in Paris, Indigenous Peoples from the Arctic to the Amazon and their allies will gather to demand real climate solutions, including bottom-up initiatives originating in Indigenous knowledge, culture, and spirituality.
What: Sunday’s event will feature an all-indigenous flotilla of kayaks followed by a press conference featuring Indigenous leaders from the Americas offering solutions to stave off the worst of climate change and protect Mother Earth.
- The launching of a declaration calling on world leaders to keep fossil fuels in the ground, led by Indigenous peoples and signed by over 150 organizations.
- The signing announcement from Indigenous women leaders from North and South America of a treaty to protect Mother Earth.
- Presentation of the Kawsak Sacha “Living Forest” proposal from the Amazon rainforest by the Kichwa Indigenous people of Sarayaku.
- Indigenous flotilla on the Bassin de la Villette, including Sarayaku’s “Canoe of Life” which has traveled 6000 miles to Paris with a message from the Amazon.
When: The flotilla action will start Sunday, December 6th at 2 pm local time, immediately followed by a press conference
Where: Péniche Antipode barge on the Bassin de la Villete Canal. 55 Quai de la Seine, 75019 (Closest metro station: Riquet on the 7 Line)
Who: The press conference will be led by Indigenous peoples organizations and movements including Indigenous Environmental Network; Idle No More, and the Kichwa community of Sarayaku from Ecuador.
Indigenous spokespeople speaking at the press conference:
- Felix Santi (Kichwa): President of the Kichwa community of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon, speaking about the Canoe of Life and the Living Forest concept;
- Faith Gemmill (Gwich’in & Pit River/Wintu): Executive Director of Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands, speaking on the Declaration to Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground;
- Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca): Native rights activist, environmentalist and actress, speaking on the Indigenous Women’s Treaty; and
- Ena Santi (Kichwa): Sarayaku Council Member in charge of Women’s Issues, speaking on the Indigenous Women’s Treaty
Other spokespeople available for comment post-press conference:
- Tom Goldtooth (Dine’ and Dakota): Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network
- Leila Salazar-López: Executive Director of Amazon Watch
- Erich Pica: Executive Director of Friends of the Earth
- Esperanza Martínez: Director of Acción Ecológica
- Lindsey Allen: Executive Director of Rainforest Action Network
- May Boeve: Executive Director of 350.org
- Mary Anne Hitt: Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign
Visuals:
- Indigenous flotilla of several canoes and at least 25 kayaks adorned with Indigenous art work representing the different Indigenous cultures participating in the event;
- Colorful banners and flags; and
- Indigenous representatives wearing their traditional attire and regalia
For more information on the Declaration: http://keepitinthegroundamericas.org/
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Contact:
Dallas Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network, France: +33 75 1413 823, US: (708) 515-6158, [email protected]
Andrew Miller, Amazon Watch, (202) 423-4828, [email protected]
Kate Colwell, Friends of the Earth U.S., France: 06 18 72 99 13, [email protected]