Afro and Indigenous Peoples Day
Celebrating the legacy, resilience, and innovation of Afro-descendant peoples who have long safeguarded biodiversity and cultural heritage across the Global South. Rooted in the spirit of Belém, Brazil, this day centers their voices through storytelling, digital media, music, and art, featuring film screenings and a photo exhibition that honor ancestral wisdom, identity, and resistance.
Full Program
3:00 – 4:00 PM | Espaço Biomas | Opening Circle & Ancestral Ritual
Led by elders and local community leaders, this opening moment welcomes participants with traditional songs, blessings, and reflections on ancestry and resilience.
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Espaço Biomas | Panel: We Are Guardians
Co-directors Chelsea Greene and Edivan Guajajara of We Are Guardians celebrate storytellers and forest defenders with new Random Good Films highlighting Indigenous leadership and planetary care.
6:30 -7:00 PM Sala de cinema | Screening - Wealth In Our Hands: Afro-descendant Women of Patía and their Collective Land Title in Colombia, A Model of Self-Sufficiency
7:00 -8:00 PM Sala de cinema | Screening - Afro and Indigenous Shorts
5:00 – 6:00 PM Espaço Biomas | Panel: The Importance of Afrodescendant Storytelling
A conversation exploring how Afrodescendant narratives shape identity, justice, and climate resilience.
Moderator: Yurshell Rodríguez
Panelists:
Andreia Coutinho (CBJC – Black Committee for Communication and Justice)
Ana Rosa (ENGAJA MUNDO – Afro-Brazilian Youth Network)
6:30 – 8:00 PM | Espaço Biomas | Film Screening + Panel: The Role of Afrodescendant Communities in Times of Climate Crisis
The session opens with a screening of Wealth in Our Hands: Afro-descendant Women of Patía and Their Collective Land Title in Colombia, a Model of Self-Sufficiency, followed by a dialogue on the leadership and strategies of Afrodescendant peoples in confronting climate challenges.
8:00 – 10:30 PM | Espaço Fala Parente | Cultural Night: Unlocking Direct Financing for Afrodescendant Communities
An evening of rhythm, celebration, and solidarity featuring live samba music, Afro drumming performances, and a collective celebration honoring the creativity and strength of Afro-descendant peoples.