Protecting the world's forests means protecting indigenous rights

Aug 07,2023 - Last updated at Aug 07,2023

TENA — For more than 500 years, indigenous peoples in Ecuador have been fighting to protect their lands, culture, and very existence from the disastrous consequences of colonisation. From the moment the colonisers set foot on our land, they sought to exploit its natural resources for profit. Today, corporations from China, Canada and Australia mine our territories for gold, disregard our objections and defy government orders, perpetuating death and destruction.

Indigenous peoples have long served as the stewards of humanity’s collective future, living in harmony with nature and respecting its cycles and complexities. We recognise that our survival (and the survival of everyone else) is inextricably tied to the health and vitality of natural ecosystems. But the forests that we call home, which have sustained our communities over generations, are under attack. Once-pristine rivers are now contaminated with toxic chemicals, poisoning our food, lands and communities.

As the relentless extraction of oil and minerals degrades our lands and rivers, the delicate ecosystems that serve as habitats for countless species are being pushed to the brink of collapse. But it is not just the physical destruction that we lament. The violation of our sacred lands is an affront to indigenous peoples’ spirit and resilience. Our profound bond with the Earth is the bedrock of our cultural identity. When multinational corporations indiscriminately ravage our forests, they trample on our ancestral legacy and disregard the wisdom and knowledge that have been passed down through the generations. Moreover, this devastation serves as a stark reminder that despite centuries of commodification, contemporary societies still cling to economic models that prioritise profits over the well-being of people and the environment.

As I write this, my friends, family, and I are actively challenging these companies’ harmful practices. We call them out on social media and take them to court. But our objections are often brushed aside, as indigenous peoples have been for centuries. This fuels a vicious cycle of poverty, inequality and cultural disintegration.

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http://jordantimes.com/opinion/juan-carlos-jintiach/protecting-worlds-forests-means-protecting-indigenous-rights