Canoes 2 Paris 'A Celebration of Life' Dec. 6, 2015

Indigenous Flotilla of Kayaks and Press Conference Demanding True Climate Solutions at COP21

By Indigenous Environmental Network

During the COP21 climate talks in Paris, Indigenous Peoples from the Arctic to the Amazon and their allies will gather to demand real climate solutions, including bottom-up initiatives originating in Indigenous knowledge, culture, and spirituality.

What: Sunday’s event will feature an all-indigenous flotilla of kayaks followed by a press conference featuring Indigenous leaders from the Americas offering solutions to stave off the worst of climate change and protect Mother Earth.

• The launching of a declaration calling on world leaders to keep fossil fuels in the ground, led by Indigenous peoples and signed by over 150 organizations.
• The signing announcement from Indigenous women leaders from North and South America of a treaty to protect Mother Earth.
• Presentation of the Kawsak Sacha “Living Forest” proposal from the Amazon rainforest by the Kichwa Indigenous people of Sarayaku.
• Indigenous flotilla on the Bassin de la Villette, including Sarayaku’s “Canoe of Life” which has traveled 6000 miles to Paris with a message from the Amazon.

When: The flotilla action will start Sunday, December 6th at 2 pm local time, immediately followed by a press conference

Where: Péniche Antipode barge on the Bassin de la Villete Canal. 55 Quai de la Seine, 75019 (Closest metro station: Riquet on the 7 Line)

Who: The press conference will be led by Indigenous peoples organizations and movements including Indigenous Environmental Network; Idle No More, and the Kichwa community of Sarayaku from Ecuador.

Indigenous spokespeople speaking at the press conference:

1. Felix Santi (Kichwa): President of the Kichwa community of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon, speaking about the Canoe of Life and the Living Forest concept;
2. Faith Gemmill (Gwich’in & Pit River/Wintu): Executive Director of Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands, speaking on the Declaration to Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground;
3. Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca): Native rights activist, environmentalist and actress, speaking on the Indigenous Women’s Treaty; and
4. Ena Santi (Kichwa): Sarayaku Council Member in charge of Women’s Issues, speaking on the Indigenous Women’s Treaty

 Other spokespeople available for comment post-press conference:

• Tom Goldtooth (Dine’ and Dakota): Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network
• Leila Salazar-López: Executive Director of Amazon Watch
• Eric Pica: Executive Director of Friends of the Earth
• Esperanza Martínez: Director of Acción Ecológica
• Lindsey Allen: Executive Director of Rainforest Action Network
• May Boeve: Executive Director of 350.org
• Mary Anne Hitt: Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign

 Visuals:

• Indigenous flotilla of several canoes and at least 25 kayaks adorned with Indigenous art work representing the different Indigenous cultures participating in the event;
• Colorful banners and flags; and
• Indigenous representatives wearing their traditional attire and regalia

Contacts

Dallas Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network, France: +33 75 1413 823, US: (708) 515-6158, dallas@ienearth.org

Andrew Miller, Amazon Watch, (202) 423-4828, andrew@amazonwatch.org

Jonathon Berman, Sierra Club, (202) 495-3033, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org