In the context of the International Day of the Indigenous Peoples, the voice of Patricia Gualinga, a Kichwa leader from Sarayaku and vice president of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), resonates with strength and truth. Internationally recognized for her tireless defense of the Amazon and the rights of indigenous peoples, Patricia reminds us that her struggle is not hers alone or exclusive to indigenous communities: it is the struggle of all humanity for life on the planet.
“Indigenous peoples are always defending the land, nature, trying to create a better world, to contribute with our ancestral knowledge so that a balanced world can exist, with love for nature, the earth, and empathy for our neighbors,” he states with conviction.
For Gualinga, the current moment demands profound change: breaking paradigms, being consistent with our lives and our future, and committing to unity. “It’s time to be empathetic, supportive, and for all peoples to unite to continue moving forward and contributing their part in this chaotic and critical context we are experiencing.”
Their call is clear and urgent: the survival of the Amazon and the balance of the planet cannot rest solely on the shoulders of Indigenous peoples. It is necessary for all of humanity to join this cause, for it to become a global responsibility.
From CEAMA, Patricia promotes a commitment that transcends borders: weaving networks of solidarity, walking together, and acting now so that future generations inherit a living, just, and peaceful planet.