The Living Forest: A Proposal for Indigenous-Led Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation
Monday, October 13
Lecture: Tulio Viteri
3 PM
Park Hall 265
https://calendar.uga.edu/event/the-living-forest-a-proposal-for-indigenous-led-conservation-and-climate-change-mitigation
Tulio Viteri, an indigenous leader from the Kichwa community of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon, will give a presentation on the Living Forest Proposal, a grassroots initiative for Indigenous-led conservation and climate change mitigation.
Film Screening and Q&A with Director Eriberto Gualinga
5:30-8 PM
Cine, 234 W. Hancock Ave.
https://calendar.uga.edu/event/helena-from-sarayaku-film-screening-and-director-qa
Helena from Sarayaku depicts Sarayaku’s struggle against environmental degradation in their territory. Traveling between her life in Finland and her mother’s homeland deep in the rainforests of Ecuador, 17-year-old Helena Gualinga yearns to protect her Indigenous community from extractive development and the repercussions of climate change.
Her story highlights the efforts of the Kichwa people of Sarayaku to recognize the Amazon rainforest as Kawsak Sacha (Living Forest in Kichwa). The Living Forest is both a cultural philosophy and a proposal that states the rainforest is not a resource to be used, but a living entity in need of protection. With the help of her Sarayaku elders’ wisdom, Helena sets out on a journey to educate the world about the importance of conserving the Amazon rainforest, participating in climate marches, and giving speeches about indigenous sovereignty. A story of perseverance and resilience, the film is an ode to Indigenous communities striving to preserve their culture as they face the consequences of a globalized world and the hastening effects of climate change.
Eriberto Gualinga is an award-winning Indigenous filmmaker from the Ecuadorian Amazon. He has a degree in cinema from the University of the Arts in Guayaquil, Ecuador and has been documenting the landscapes, livelihoods, and political struggles of his native village of Sarayaku for almost two decades.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/6hGJjqNhAr8?si=UpEDTlUKJfqCbL5k
Both events free and open to the public.
Sponsors:
Department of Anthropology, The Willson Center, Office of Sustainability, Latin
American and Caribbean Studies Institute, Center for Integrative Conservation
Research, UGA Arts Collaborative, Department of Sociology, School of Public and
International Affairs, Department of Geography, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural
Resources, Department of Romance Languages, Department of International Affairs,
Dean Rusk International Law Center, Office of Global Engagement, Department of
Theatre & Film Studies, Center for the Study of Global Issues, Department of
Entertainment and Media Studies, The Luminous Room Documentary Film Production
Program at UGA, The Gable Foundation, and the Native American Student Association.
With additional thanks to Ciné for their support.