In this episode, we dive into Decolonizing and Indigenizing Philanthropy, movements that are changing how non-Indigenous donors support Indigenous-led organizations, and promoting the creation and expansion of networks for Indigenous-led funds. Our guest today, Naomi Lanoi Leleto, a Maasai from Narok, Kenya, is at the forefront of these movements. She is a board member at the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, as well as Program Coordinator for Global Indigenous Grantmaking and Coordinator for the East Africa Advisory Board for the Global Greengrants Fund. Naomi worked as a Women Land Rights Program Officer at the Kenya Land Alliance, advocating for the effective implementation of constitutional provisions to secure women's land rights. She has extensive experience advocating for inclusive grantmaking that upholds the rights, self-determination, and environmental work of Indigenous Peoples. Naomi has a Master's degree in Legal Studies from the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the University of Arizona and has contributed to the UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues since 2011. . Follow Naomi Leleto’s work at https://www.greengrants.org & https://internationalfunders.org . WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Portuguese here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-naomi-leleto.html . AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION: - WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation - THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@azimuthworldfoundation - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation - X: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF - LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
Batwa communities in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC are clear examples of the devastating effects of fortress conservation, the colonial model for nature preservation that posits the mutual exclusion of nature and humans. Often, the designation of protected areas leads to the displacement of the very people responsible for stewarding that ecosystem—those who thrived in and relied on that land for their spiritual and physical sustenance. In the Bwindi forest in 1991, wildlife conservation efforts pushed Batwa communities to the margins of Ugandan society. Unable to navigate this society, their marginalization deepened. And this very brief, abrupt, and violent chapter had devastating consequences for a people who had been thriving for millennia as forest dwellers. We are honored to have Sylvia Kokunda as our latest guest on Connecting the Dots. Sylvia, a Batwa leader, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Action for Batwa Empowerment Group, a non-profit Ugandan organization working to empower the Batwa. After completing a bachelor's degree in Public Administration and Management and a Master of Arts in Organisational Leadership and Management, Sylvia decided to commit her life to representing her community at national, regional, and international human rights forums, where she has boldly spoken out against the unbearable injustices that the Batwa continue to suffer under the Ugandan government's watch. Her organization's projects empower the Batwa community through advocacy, education, skills development, healthcare, commercial agriculture, tourism and research to holistically transform their lives and culture for a prosperous future. Action for Batwa Empowerment Group also engages with several national and international stakeholders to find a comprehensive approach and solutions that address the challenges the Batwa face. . Follow the work of Action for Batwa Empowerment Group: https://www.abeguganda.com . WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Portuguese here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-sylvia-kokunda.html . AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION: - WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation - THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@azimuthworldfoundation - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation - X: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF - LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
In a rapidly changing world, the urgency to protect nature is undeniable. However, there is an uncomfortable truth we must confront. The climate change and biodiversity crisis, largely caused by the West's lifestyle and consumption patterns, disproportionately affects communities in Africa and all of the global South. And that's not all. In the West, we often envision conservation through romanticized images of pristine natural landscapes inhabited by charismatic megafauna, leading to generous financial support for conservation organizations. . These conservation organizations often displace communities by creating pristine nature wildlife reserves or parks, and thus conservation refugees expelled from their ancestral lands. Ironically, it is these very communities that have conserved the areas through their lifestyles and ancestral knowledge of the land and ecosystems. Conservation is an exceedingly intricate reality, deeply entangled with the history of colonialism and the global capitalist market. Its geopolitical implications and impact on Indigenous and local communities should not be underestimated. While the concept of protected areas appears deceptively simple and universal, it masks a complex and at times violent and corrupt reality. Stripping away the powerful myth-making machine surrounding conservation requires a candid and unflinching gaze into its inner workings. . Guiding us on this journey to explore the path of decolonizing conservation is Dr. Aby Sène-Harper, a distinguished faculty member in Parks and Conservation Area Management at Clemson University, South Carolina. Her groundbreaking research delves into the intersections of parks and protected areas governance, livelihoods, nature-based tourism, and the relationship between race and nature. With her extensive writings on the colonial structures of power and conservation, Dr. Aby Sène-Harper has shed light on essential issues that demand our attention and action. We are eager for our listeners to join us in exploring her extraordinary work, as it inspires all to embark on a transformative journey towards decolonizing conservation. . WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Portuguese here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights.html . AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION: - WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation - TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF - LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
It's impossible to discuss the global climate and biodiversity crisis without talking about the Amazon. Deforestation, illegal mining and logging have reached alarming levels in recent years, pushing crucial ecosystems to the brink. The Amazon bears the visible scars of our collective impact on the planet: pollution, overconsumption, inequality, alienation. In Brazil, Indigenous communities continue to struggle for their right to inhabit and manage their land. Their lives are under constant threat, despite their globally recognized invaluable contribution to our environmental well-being. Colonization is far from over, and survival is on the line for many of these communities. It's a critical time to listen to people like Ana Rosa de Lima, the founder of Meli Bees Network, who works to protect Indigenous Peoples' rights and self-determination. Drawing from her Indigenous ancestry and driven by the ecological, cultural, and social tragedy unfolding in the Amazon, Ana Rosa and a generation of Amazonian leaders established Meli Bees. Their goal is to strengthen land protection and regeneration through Indigenous and local-led projects. Ana Rosa is committed to amplifying the voices of the communities she works with and creating networks of knowledge, solidarity, and allyship to tackle the enormous challenges we face. . WATCH a video version of this interview (English and Portuguese subtitles available) or READ transcripts in English and Portuguese here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-ana-rosa-de-lima.html . Learn more about Meli Bees Network: https://www.meli-bees.org . AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION: - WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation - TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF - LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/
Earlier this year, Azimuth World Foundation, in collaboration with Jamii Asilia Centre and Global Wisdom Collective, co-hosted a side event at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. This event provided a platform for our partners to share the framework of "Revitalize the Roots," an intergenerational knowledge-sharing project they have developed for the Endorois community in Kenya. But the event also allowed us to hear from remarkable speakers who shared their experiences in passing down traditional Indigenous knowledge to the younger generations. Among these inspiring speakers was Christine Kandie, a member of the Endorois community and the Executive Director of the Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (EIWEN). Founded in 2016, EIWEN initially served as an advocacy platform for the rights of Endorois women, girls, and individuals with disabilities. Over the years, it has grown in its ambition to champion the rights of Indigenous communities all over Kenya and across Africa. The Endorois people have twice faced forced evictions from their ancestral lands. The first was prompted by the government to create a game reserve for tourism development, and the second was due to the devastating impacts of climate change. Christine's unique perspective as an Endorois woman and a person with a disability enables her to present the importance of intersectional approaches in securing the rights of Indigenous Peoples with much more clarity. EIWEN's distinctive approach encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, aiming to holistically improve the lives of those it serves. From empowering Indigenous women to assume leadership roles to documenting traditional knowledge and integrating it into resource management through the creation of the Endorois Biocultural Protocol, EIWEN has made significant strides. Ms. Kandie has taken her experiences and powerful message to international platforms, gaining visibility and garnering support for her community's struggles. She has also forged global alliances and is a shining example for countless communities facing similar challenges. We are truly honored that she has joined us on "Connecting the Dots." . WATCH a video version of this interview or READ transcripts in English and Spanish here: https://azimuthworldfoundation.org/insights/entry/stories/connecting-the-dots-with-christine-kandie.html . Keep up with EIWEN’s inspiring work: https://endoroisindigenouswomen.org . AZIMUTH WORLD FOUNDATION - JOIN THE CONVERSATION: - WEBSITE: https://www.azimuthworldfoundation.org - INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/azimuthworldfoundation - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/azimuthworldfoundation - TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AzimuthWF - LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azimuth-world-foundation/