If Not Us Then Who?

Thank you for being part of Our Village E+C!Here’s an inspiring glimpse of our first days of programming during #COP16. “Our Village E+C” has been a powerful journey, connecting Indigenous leaders, Afro-descendent and local communities, youth movements, and culture with biodiversity. From impactful speakers, panel talks, fireside chats and photography exhibitions by Indigenous and Afro-descendant leaders, creatives, activists, to unforgettable music performances, this week has been a celebration of making Peace with Nature. For 10 years, we have created a space called 'Our Village', uniting Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous peoples, creators, artists, activists, and decision-makers at key global events. This year, we’ve gathered at Casa de Mono with Entertainment + Culture Pavilion, BILM, Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, Quipa, Mullu TV, Festivales Solidarios in Cali, Colombia, focusing on biodiversity and continuing to grow our movement. Stay tuned for more series on #cop16 OurVillage's 10th anniversary Produced by Aram Vidal #OurVillage #COP16

🌍 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new short film showcasing a groundbreaking initiative to support Indigenous + community rights and conservation in Bombwanza, Democratic Republic of the Congo! 🎥 Join us as we delve into the incredible work of the National League of Indigenous Pygmy Associations of the Congo. Through community consultations and participatory mapping, they have secured two land title documents for the region’s Indigenous and local communities, helping them protect and sustainably manage 100,000 hectares of their ancestral forests from mining and oil concessions. Since 2021, regional and global allies—including the Rights and Resources Initiative, #REPALEAC, the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, and #CampaignforNature — have partnered through CLARIFI, our rightsholder-led funding mechanism, to strengthen collective rights and help achieve climate and conservation goals in the biodiversity-rich Congo Basin and its vital ecosystems. ✨ Watch the film to witness the power of community-led action and rights-based conservation! ✨ #SustainableDevelopment #IndigenousPeoples #Conservation #ClimateAction #LandRightsNow

Meet some of the Indigenous media team who will be capturing and amplifying stories from COP16 with @globalalliancet and 'Our Village E+C’ Big thank you for their creative work, energy and amplifying the stories from the ground. Special shoutout to the multimedia talents: Elio Cunampio, Kamikia Kisedje, Nura Batara, Tirza Ixmucane, Peregrino Gonzalo, Noveni Usun, Kelly Guajajara, and more who are documenting this journey. Stay tuned for their powerful coverage of frontline voices! Meanwhile, if you are around @casademono come and meet them!

We had an unforgettable opening ceremony for “Nuestra Aldea E+C” "Our Village E+C" alongside Entertainment + Culture Pavilion featuring presentations by our INUTW team members Yurshell Rodrigues and David Hernández-Palmar and a vibrant, heart-centered participation from Agojie de MUDE. We had the chance to learn more about the work of our partners, collaborations, mission, and impact! “Our Village E+C" is possible thanks to the Entertainment and Culture Pavilion, BILM, Planet On Colombia, Saunter Media, Quipa, Mullu TV, Casa de Mono, and Fincali, and our incredible supporters. For the past 10 years, If Not Us Then Who has created a space called “Nuestra Aldea,” which brings together Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous peoples, creators, artists, activists, and decision-makers at key global events to foster dialogue on environmental changes being driven by communities and territories—changes that preserve their culture and promote a healthy planet for all. Join us at Casa de Mono in Cali, Colombia, during COP16 -> Register for tomorrow and Saturday! Free registration: https://lnkd.in/dHrDnPHS Produced by Hugo Metz

Find Us at Our Village E+C Opening Night tomorrow! Discover the heart of culture and connection at COP16! Join us at @CasadeMono, a space where creativity, biodiversity, and community come together to spark impactful change. 📅 Tomorrow, October 22 ⏰ 6 PM - 10 PM 📍 Casa de Mono: Cra 25 # 5-112, Cali 🚶♀️ Just 20 minutes from the Green Zone (walk, bus, or cab) 📝 Register for FREE: https://lnkd.in/dHrDnPHS Limited Spaces Let’s kick off four days of transformative events. Register now!

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of 'Our Village', in collaboration with Entertainment + Culture Pavilion we launched 'Our Village E+C' together with local, national, and international partners. We’re excited to welcome the amazing band Agojie de MUDE and DJ and Activist Eric Terena for our opening night. Join us for a special moment where culture, biodiversity, and community come together to kick off four days of impactful events and discussions. Date: Tuesday, October 22 Location: Casa de Mono: Cra 25 # 5-112, Cali Time: 6 - 10 PM Register for free: https://lnkd.in/dHrDnPHS

What’s at Stake at COP16? At COP16, Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities (IPLCs), and Afro-descendant communities are advocating for the protection of their lands and their rights. With their territories covering one-third of the Earth’s land—91% of which is in good ecological condition—they are vital to global biodiversity. But they still face challenges in accessing fair representation and resources. What’s at stake? The future of these territories, the protection of biodiversity, and the survival of cultures. It’s time for countries to fulfill their commitments and ensure IPLCs are integrated into national biodiversity plans and receive the funding they deserve. Join us at 'Our Village E+C*' in Cali, Colombia, and STAND with these communities as they fight for real change at COP16. RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/ek_uFRez #COP16 #OurVillage

Join 'Our Village E+C' from October 22-26 in Cali, Colombia for COP16 as we celebrate a decade of storytelling, culture, and action at the UN Biodiversity Conference. This year's 'Our Village E+C' focuses on amplifying Indigenous and Afro-descendant voices, protecting biodiversity, and building a sustainable future. We've partnered with local, national, and international collectives to create a space for powerful dialogues. Welcome to our year's themes: • Intergenerational Wisdom, • Peace with Nature, • Gender & Intersectional Environmentalism, • From Cali to Belem; Road to COP30 Let's honor ancestral knowledge, connect with culture, and inspire change. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/ek_uFRez #COP16

'Our Village' Turns 10! As we celebrate this milestone, we’re taking climate action to the streets of Cali during the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) from October 22-26. In collaboration with Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and environmental organizations, this year we are launching 'Our Village' featuring E+C Entertainment + Culture Pavilion A Global Collaboration. This coalition also brings together national and international Indigenous media and communication collectives, like including If Not Us Then Who, Consejo Regional Indígena del Cauca -CRIC, CNTI, MPC, AMCIC, Black Indigenous Liberation Movement (BILM), Mullu TV, Tv Indígena, Festivales Solidarios and more. Together, we are amplifying frontline voices for biodiversity and climate justice. Join us and stand with IP&LCs and Afro-descendant communities at COP16! Help us push for real commitments—and hold countries accountable to their agreements by integrating IP&LC voices in national plans and ensuring they get the funding they deserve. Together, we can protect their lands, cultures, and the planet’s biodiversity. RSVP here https://lnkd.in/ek_uFRez #OurVillage #10yearsAnniversary #COP16

“'If not us then who’ is not a question, it’s a manifesto” Today on #IndigenousPeoplesDay we reflect on the words of Kalfein Wuisan, an Indigenous Minahasa youth from Wuwuk, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia, and INUTW Emerging Filmmakers Development Program Alumni. This is a call to support #IndigenousPeoples’ lands, cultures, and futures through the #5Demands👇 1. Land Rights: We Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities maintain profound spiritual, cultural, social, and economic bonds with our lands, territories, and resources. These connections form the very foundation of our identity. We demand access to our territories to protect them and live according to our self-determination. 2. FPIC: We demand our right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a means for our fundamental right to self-determination. FPIC empowers us when it comes to projects that affect our lives and territories. We demand our full and active participation so nothing about us can happen without us. 3. Direct Financing: We demand adequate, direct accessible financing be made available to support our self-determined climate actions on the ground. Investing in our territories is crucial to combat climate change, desertification, and biodiversity loss for the whole of humanity. 4. Protection of Life: We demand an end to the violence and unjust criminalization we endure while safeguarding our territories. It is our collective voice that calls for the respect of our rights. 5. Land Rights: The core of our cultural identities and livelihoods lies in our shared traditional knowledge and innovation. We demand that our knowledge be accorded respect and protection and that all policies formulated within our territories proactively integrate them. Join us as we approach a 10-year milestone! We honor everyone who has been a part of “Our Village” a community inspired by the wisdom, strength, and resilience of Indigenous people. 🌍✨ Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gC5ur9q #IndigenousPeoplesDay #OurVillage #IfNotUsThenWho #10YearsStrong #ClimateAction