Land Defenders & Water Protectors A program of Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples that supports Indigenous grassroots organizations protecting Mother Earth’s natural systems and ability to nurture and sustain life. Introduction
Since 1492 we have witnessed and survived a sickness that the Doctrine of Discovery brought to the western hemisphere and throughout other parts of the world. Monolithic regimes brought by colonialism justified the domination and objectification of Mother Earth. Through domination, control and brutality we have seen water, land, air, and species be exploited with little hesitation by statesanctioned private industries. Indigenous ways of understanding relationships to all human and non-human kinship have been undermined, silenced, and repressed in the last 500 years. We are now witnessing International arenas such as the United Nations begin to amplify the voices of Indigenous Peoples in climate actions and conversations. A 2019 UN report found that although Indigenous Peoples only make up 5% of the global population, we protect 80% of Mother Earth’s Biodiversity. With that, we are also seeing more people are now advocating for private property owners and governments to give land back to Indigenous Peoples as a necessary step to addressing climate change and centuries of wrongdoings.
Table of contents 1 Introduction 2 Dr. Henrietta Mann 4 Brian Monongye 7 Lani Hotch 9 Edward Wemytewa 12 Duane Chili Yazzie 15 L Frank Manriquez 18 Michael Martin 21 Platform for Action 23 About Seventh Generation Fund
Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is dedicated to the self-determination and sovereignty of Native Nations. Since the inception of the organization, the board has always comprised of resilient Indigenous cultural bearers from throughout the Indigenous World. In 2016 with the support of the Christensen Fund, we launched our Tradition Bearers for Bio-Cultural Diversity Fellowship where we were able to recognize Individuals, elders and culturally anchored Indigenous Peoples who are strengthened by tradition and are empowering the future. In this publication you will read submissions from a selection of our current board members alongside some of our Tradition Bearer for Bio-cultural Diversity Fellows from 2017, 2018, and 2019. We asked them to reflect and share on climate chaos, prophecy and rebalancing. As you read through this publication, we invite you to do the same. Carlrey Arroyo (Yoeme, Xicanx) Seventh Generation Fund Program Coordinator, Land Defenders and Water Protectors
The cover art depicts a scene of "Seven giants who hold up the world" these beings help Creator and maintain balance by upholding the earth. L. Frank Manriquez (Tongva, Acjachamen, Raramuri)
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