IUCN World Conservation Congress, Sept. 1–10, 2016

The Standing on Sacred Ground series has inspired a new alliance between Hawaiian leaders and those in California, Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, Mongolia and the Altai Republic.

The Sacred Land Film Project, Altai Project and Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana in partnership with Amazon Watch, Borneo Project, Gaia Foundation, Womens’ Earth and Climate Action Network organized a formidable delegation to participate in the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawai‘i, which met September 1-10. The congress represented a powerful opportunity for indigenous people to both challenge and contribute to the international conservation movement at a critical time in history.

Assembling 25 indigenous leaders from around the world in Hawai‘i underlined the connection between native peoples and biodiversity in sacred cultural landscapes. As these leaders discussed success stories and tragic losses, as they conducted ceremony with Native Hawaiians, as they addressed conservation experts from around the world—we recorded their presentations and responses to questions, and will now edit short video clips to post on YouTube. This content will address the change in values needed to protect the earth, and the role of sacred natural sites in the protection of biodiversity. A key focus at the congress was declaring sacred natural sites and territories "No Go" Areas for mining and other extractive industries—and we succeeded with passage of the historic Motion 26.

Working together in Hawai‘i cemented bonds between indigenous communities as they networked, shared information, and planned future activities. This alliance of guardians is an important strategy, politically and spiritually, in defense of the earth—and it represents a great public education opportunity. 

Follow our daily reports from Hawai'i and beyond on Facebook, Twitter: @SacredLandFilm, and Instagram: @SacredLandFilmProject

Breaking news! Passed: Motion 26 — "Protected areas and other areas important for biodiversity in relation to environmentally damaging industrial activities and infrastructure development"

"IUCN Congress boosts support for Indigenous peoples’ rights." IUCN World Conservation Congress News Release, 9/9/16

"World Conservation Congress votes to protect indigenous sacred lands." The Ecologist, 9/13/16

Background Information

BASIC BACKGROUND

INDIGENOUS LEADER BIOS

MEDIA ADVISORY, 8/24/16 — "Historic Gathering of Indigenous Leaders Champion 'No Go' Areas For Sacred Sites at IUCN World Conservation Congress"

FLYER FOR KEY SACRED LAND EVENTS AT WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS

TOOLKIT FOR PROTECTING SACRED NATURAL SITES AND TERRITORIES

STATEMENT OF INDIGENOUS KAHU‘ĀINA GUARDIANS OF SACRED LANDS

News

"Long Journey to a More Righteous Shore." Earth Island Journal, 9/27/16.

"IUCN to create new category of membership for Indigenous peoples’ organizations." Mongabay, 9/13/16

"Sacred Natural Sites Should Be 'No Go Zones' for Developers."  Ecowatch, 9/8/16

"Importance of Sacred Ground: Toby McLeod." "The Conversation," Hawai‘i Public Radio, 9/7/16