Indigenous Leadership for Climate and Justice: Rights, Knowledge, and Partnerships
Indigenous Peoples safeguard 80% of the world’s biodiversity, yet their organizations remain systematically underfunded and underrepresented in global decision-making. Equitable partnerships between Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, local CSOs, NGOs, and funders are critical to advancing systemic change — but too often, “partnership” falls short of true power-sharing.
This session will spotlight Indigenous leadership at the heart of climate action — from women-led and Afro-descendent ecosystem stewardship to bridging science and Indigenous wisdom through storytelling. We’ll also explore intersections with AI and technology, asking how to ensure Indigenous voices are shaping innovation, not sidelined by it. Together, we’ll ask: what does equitable funding and partnership really look like, and how do we scale it for justice and impact?
Speakers
Amy Mullen — Director of Institutional Relations at Rainforest Alliance, leading institutional funding partnerships supporting community-led regenerative agriculture and forestry.
Isabel Mares — Strategic Initiatives Manager at the American India Foundation, building cross-sector partnerships in health, education, and climate resilience.
Harjas Grewal — Founder of Understory, reimagining climate action through equity, culture, and Indigenous knowledge.
What to Expect
Platform Indigenous voices – Highlight Indigenous leadership in climate emergency response and adaptation.
Examine funding gaps – Explore barriers to resourcing women-led and Indigenous-led organizations, and share models of equitable funding.
Bridge knowledge systems – Discuss how Indigenous wisdom and science can work together, with storytelling as a bridge.
Address emerging intersections – Consider how Indigenous rights intersect with AI, climate technology, and global governance.
Redefine partnership – Explore models for true collaboration across funders, CSOs, NGOs, and Indigenous organizations.
Why Join?
Gain insight into Indigenous-led climate and rights-based solutions.
Learn practical models for equitable funding and long-term systemic change.
Share your own experiences working at the intersections of Indigenous knowledge, science, and technology.
Walk away with strategies to form genuine, power-shifting partnerships.
Who Should Attend?
Indigenous leaders and women-led organizations advancing climate justice.
Funders and philanthropists seeking to support Indigenous-led solutions.
CSOs, NGOs, and practitioners working in climate, biodiversity, and rights.
Anyone committed to centering Indigenous voices in systemic change.