Guna Yala, Panama
Guna Yala is an indigenous province in northeast Panama. Guna Yala is home to the indigenous group known as the Gunas. Its capital is El Porvenir. It is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Darién Province and Embera Wounaan, on the east by Colombia, and on the west by the province of Colón.
Guna communities have long been recognised for protecting the forests along their coastline; despite significant threats from farming and industrial logging, they are proven protectors of their ancestral forests.
Today they face uncertainty over the sea that surrounds their island homes. Increasing encroachment by luxury vessels and at times irresponsible tourism threatens the long term viability of their reefs. Without the support of the government of Panama and clear rights, they face an increasingly bitter struggle to protect the marine biodiversity in these waters.
Embera, Panama
The Embera are an indigenous people, living in Panama in the Darien Province on the shores of the Chuunaque, Sambu, Tuira Rivers and it’s water ways. They tend to live in small villages along the banks of these rivers throughout the area. Villages vary in access from some which are accessible to drive to while others require a lengthy journey along the network of rivers via dugout canoe.
Children who attended education had until recently not been given the opportunity to study their own ancestry and traditions and were steered towards a Panamanian education to the neglect of their own indigenous history, this included being unable to communicate in Embera within the school environment. Therefore many communities are going though a period of transition whereby trying to instil their traditions and culture on their youth once again while they still can.
These portraits are shot within the village of El Salto, a proud Embera community who are affected by these decisions of identity. They show some of the community in traditional costume prior to a ceremony.
Traditionally the Embera paint their bodies with dye made from Genipa Americana, the berry of a species of Genip tree. Throughout the year these temporary tattoo’s appear either vivid or slightly faded dependant on how recently they were painted and the prominence of the ceremonies.
The Embera have strong connections with the forest and have an identity that they are proud of and are endeavouring to keep hold of.
Guna Yala, Rainforest
Hunter
Young man within the forest camp - 001
Young man within the forest camp - 002
Meeting to discuss mapping
Discussions over territory
Cooking
Young man within the forest camp - 003
Young man within the forest camp - 004
GPS
On Patrol
Gathered in the forest - 001
Gathered in the forest - 002
Coming ashore
Isla Soledad Mandinga
Children on Isla Soledad Mandinga
Handicrafts - 001
Handicrafts - 002
Handicrafts - 003
At home
Handicrafts - 004
Winis
Norberto Mendez, Island leader, Isla Soledad Mandinga
Gilberto Arias Olonaidigina, Village elder, Isla Soledad Mandinga - 001
Gilberto Arias Olonaidigina, Village elder, Isla Soledad Mandinga - 002
The hands of Gilberto Arias Olonaidigina, Village elder, Isla Soledad Mandinga
Young boy near home
Canoes
Preparing to fish
Boat - 001
Boat - 002
Ramiro Martinez, Botanist and Naturopathic doctor - 001
Heading to the mainland - 001
Heading to the mainland - 002
Heading to the mainland - 003
Ramiro Martinez, Botanist and Naturopathic doctor - 002
Ramiro Martinez, Botanist and Naturopathic doctor - 003
Ramiro Martinez, Botanist and Naturopathic doctor - 004
Ramiro Martinez, Botanist and Naturopathic doctor - 005
Ramiro Martinez, Botanist and Naturopathic doctor - 006
Isla Soledad Mandinga, Guna Yala
Small Island, Guna Yala
Father and sons
Fishing - 001
Fishing - 002
Shipwrecked Sanblas Ferry
Luxury tourist yacht , Guna Yala
Island, Guna Yala
Katrina Fernandez, Guna Yala Ministry of Tourism
Elith Paredas, free diver - 001
Elith Paredas, free diver - 002
Village in Embera Territory - 001
Village in Embera Territory - 002
Village in Embera Territory - 003
Handicrafts - 001
Handicrafts - 002
Village in Embera Territory - 004
Young girl, Embera
Relaxing
Rainforest, Embera
Surveying tree’s
Woman foraging within the forest
Embera woman within the forest - 001
Embera woman within the forest - 002
Embera woman within the forest - 003
Embera woman within the forest - 004
At the nursery
Applying traditional Embera tattoos - 001
Applying traditional Embera tattoos - 002
Embera portrait - 001
Embera portrait - 002
Embera portrait - 003
Embera portrait - 004
Embera portrait - 005
Embera portrait - 006
Embera portrait - 007
Embera portrait - 008
Embera portrait - 009
Embera portrait - 010
Embera portrait - 011
Embera portrait - 012
Embera portrait - 013
Embera portrait - 014
Embera portrait - 015
Embera portrait - 016
Embera portrait - 017
Embera portrait - 018
Embera portrait - 019
Story 1 - Brazil’s Warrior Woman
The humble Babassu palm provides a livelihood for communities of women across North Eastern Brazil. Bread, charcoal, oil and soap are produced from the nut and husk; the surplus is sold on. But production has not always been so peaceful.
“Brazil’s Warrior Women” touches on the battle to maintain these communities’ way of life. In the face of intimidation and threats from farmers for years,
Babassu women have negotiated their own terms; creating a grassroots movement and establishing the ‘Free Babassu Law’ in seven states. The law gives landless coconut gatherers rights to collect from palm groves.
In this series states such as Tocantins show how the “Free Babassu Law” can have a positive effect whereas for some in the State of Maranhao the fight continues for access, though with legislation passed the woman are able to fight back.
These inspiring women are now able to plan for the long-term, diversifying their business and securing their future. They fight for their families, their forests and the Amazon as a whole.
Story 2 - Ritual
The Tenetehar, now more commonly known as the Guajajara people, have suffered from serious and accumulative negative impacts to their lands from extractivism for generations, many of them irreversible. Historically they have also faced restrictions on their culture, practice’s and sacred rituals, which are integral for their self-assertion and identity.
Vitally though, one important and particularly emotive ritual still remains for the Guajajara and this is the story of that ritual: The Festival of the Moqueado - which takes place within the Amazon Rainforest, in a riverside community, along the Rio Pindaré, Maranhão State, Brazil.
This is home, where my family and my community live, a setting alive with the sounds of village life, the forest and all its inhabitants in close proximity, whilst the Rio Pindaré gently emanates in the background. It’s from this unique setting that I seek to share this story with you, giving an insight into the essence of our people.
- By: Genilson Guajajara - Indigenous Photographer
Babassu coconut breaker, Monte Alegre, Marahao State - 001
Babassu coconut breaker, Monte Alegre, Marahao State - 002
Babassu coconut breaker, Monte Alegre, Marahao State - 003
Babassu coconut breaker, Monte Alegre, Marahao State - 004
Babassu coconut breaker, Monte Alegre, Marahao State - 005
Heading home
Babassu coconut breaker, Monte Alegre, Marahao State - 006
Perimeter fencing restricting access - 001
Perimeter fencing restricting access - 002
Babassu trees
Babassu tree
Nuts from the Babassu Coconut
At home
Breaking the Babassu Coconut
Fixing the roof
Children play, Tocantins State
Making Babassu oil - 001
Making Babassu oil - 002
Juice manufacturing building, Tocantins State
Collecting honey, Tocantins State
Felled trees, Monte Alegre
Maria Do Socorro, MIQB leader, Tocantins State
Oil Palm Free Islands
From outsiders to political representatives, the indigenous struggle in the Mentawai islands is a 20 year struggle to be heard. The project looks at the villagers, shamans, newspaper & radio stations that unify these threatened islands as they fend of conflict palm oil.
The Mentawai Islands are situated just off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia and are home to a proud indigenous community who value the rainforest deeply as it forms an intrinsic part of their daily lives.
Palm oil companies operate though out Sumatra and have their eyes set on these Islands. Local politicians and the Mentawai people are determined to keep them at bay. The locals have set up a local radio station “Radio Sura Mentawi” as well as a newspaper titled “Puailiggoubat,” these two mediums as well as the Islands word of mouth keep locals abreast of any political or environmental issues that could be of concern to them. This information then leads to political protest and or strong action from the communities.
Being a small group of Islands separated from the mainland has allowed the people of the Mentawai Islands to view how Palm Oil companies have taken over huge swathes of land and destroyed communities on the mainland of Sumatra. Therefore allowing the Mentawai people to learn from these mistakes made by their brothers and sisters firsthand.
Mentawai Islands
Kids play, Siberut, Mentawai Islands
Boats on the river, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Transporting food, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Young man outside he’s home, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Shaman, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Heading home from school, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Shaman, Viktor Saudeinuk, Siberut, Mentawi Islands - 001
Shaman, Viktor Saudeinuk, Siberut, Mentawi Islands - 002
Shaman, Viktor Saudeinuk, Siberut, Mentawi Islands - 003
Shaman, Viktor Saudeinuk, Siberut, Mentawi Islands - 004
Shaman, Sandro Tasiriguruk, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Young boy sits out the rain, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Reading the locally published paper, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Two young girls out in the rain, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Young girl at home, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Returning from the forest, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Handicrafts, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Canoe, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
Canoes heading home, Siberut, Mentawi Islands
“Radio Sura Mentawi”, Tupejat, Sipora, Mentawi Islands
Radio DJ Reynald Suryadinata, “Radio Sura Mentawi”, Tupejat, Sipora, Mentawi Islands
Reclaiming The River
The Yurok Tribe
The Klamath River is the lifeline for the Yurok, California’s largest Native American Indian tribe. In 2021 the four dams along the river which have affected the tribe immeasurably and caused considerable damage to the local ecosystem, will begin to be removed carefully, allowing the water in these beautiful coastal redwood forests to come alive once more and breathe life back into the area, whilst reenergising the Yurok people.
The Yurok’s story is an unfortunately all to common story within Indigenous communities, it’s one of community, oppression, suffering and fighting back, a story about nature and mans footprint.
The Yurok are spiritually connected to the salmon run whose yearly migration is pivotal to their ancestral culture. The dams have had a major impact to such an extent that salmon fishing has been banned with only small catches allowed for subsistence. The Yurok tribe as well as other Native American tribes along the Klamath River have fought for decades to tear down the dams. That fight will finally come to an end in 2021, when salmon will once again have access to hundreds of miles of historic, spawning habitat.
Native American communities have suffered immensely for generations, lives have been lost, land has been taken or devastated, communities have been lied to or they’ve been on the wrong end of numerous broken promises.
Yurok Tribal Chairman and Spiritual Leader Thomas O’Rourke recount’s some historical atrocities, and whilst referencing the past tries to make sense of their predicament. “ So we went through a period of, I guess you would say, a loss of identity, which leaves major voids in any individual that this has ever happened to. “ He goes on to talk further “ We’re born to fish, we’re born to hunt, we’re born to gather, we’re born to carve and make boats. We’re born to be on the water and on the land. That’s where we spent our days. That was our school. “ Thomas reflects more on the environment and the land. “ We’re here to maintain balance, only through balance can we insure or have the biggest of insurance that there is going to be a tomorrow. Our lands have been raped from it’s resources, our waters have been polluted, our people have been scattered, the time of destruction in our land has come to an end and it is time to restore. “
With dam removal just around the corner, the Yurok have already begun to turn things around and this is in large part to a global first. The Yurok Tribal Council decided to participate in the California Cap and Trade carbon market, making it possible to generate funds for the protection of their lands. This scheme was not always universally popular amongst the tribe as the scheme involved a suite of concessions to the state government, including a nominal loss of sovereignty and greater environmental oversight. A common argument against Cap and Trade is it’s potential to allow polluters to pollute as they offset their environmentally harmful emissions by purchasing carbon credits within the Cap and Trade program from forest communities such as the Yurok. Though on the other hand this significant new income stream has allowed them to appropriate lost cultural ceremonial items and buy back a river system vital to the salmon run.
The Cap and Trade program has been touted by environmental organisations as a possible model for other indigenous groups living in forests around the world to regain their rights, while working with national and provincial governments to combat climate change. Seven other indigenous entities in the US are now selling carbon offsets.
If industries keep slashing and burning the world’s rainforests at the current rate, the chance that countries will meet the Paris Climate Change Agreement goals of limiting global warming to more than two degrees Celsius rapidly plummets. Improving forest management and protections, on the other hand, could reduce emissions by an amount greater than vaporizing every car in the world.
The California Cap and Trade Program has allowed the Yurok to buy back areas of their land along the Klamath River, though many rightfully argue that these lands were stolen from the tribe during colonisation, people were murdered and persecuted in the process, and this land as opposed to being bought back should be given back to these communities.
The Yurok Tribes Self Governance Director Javier Kinney talks about how there was a compromise, and while it worked for the Yurok Tribe, that didn’t mean it was going to work for everyone. What mattered was “the tribes have a seat at the table,” he said. “We need to be decision makers in the management of our natural resources. That’s our main objective.”
Whilst the Yurok Tribe has many reason’s to feel optimistic and positive as a community, with progression under Cap and trade and the soon to be decommissioning of the dams in 2021, they’ve suffered immeasurably like other Native American communities. It’s a long process of healing and recovery for the Tribe, socially and economically these are still difficult times as the youth in particular look to understand who they are and forge a path for themselves with limited role model’s and opportunities.
Though the Yurok has matched its words with action, setting up community groups to tackle the devastating issues affecting them and their youth, as well as campaigning rigorously to have the dams decommissioned and endeavouring to restore balance to the ecosystem, which is such an intrinsic part of who they were and are. They’re far from the end of their fight though they have sown the seeds for a brighter future.
Wild fires an hour from Yurok territory
White Deerskin Dance site within the forest
Embers remain left over after “The White Deer Skin Dance”
Forest at the site of “The White Deer Skin Dance”
Fisherman in the fog
Large boulder near the mouth of the Klamath
Yurok and sports fisherman compete for space at the mouth of the Klamath - 001
Yurok family at the mouth of the Klamath
Yurok fisherman bring the nets around to the shoreline
Two young Yurok kids at the mouth of the Klamath
Yurok fisherman James Gist
Yurok fisherman James with his partner
Yurok and sports fisherman compete for space at the mouth of the Klamath - 002
Yurok fisherman returns the nets to the shoreline
Yurok and sports fisherman compete for space at the mouth of the Klamath - 003
Yurok and sports fisherman compete for space at the mouth of the Klamath - 004
Caught Salmon about to be buried to cool from the sun
Yurok families and friends at the mouth of the Klamath
Preparing to cast nets
Yurok fisherman James casts his net
Caught Salmon
Yurok boy cleans the catch
Yurok kids at home within the RV park
Exhausted Yurok kids, post fishing
Young girls dressed in traditional regalia
Traditional handicrafts
1930’s image after a Yurok traditional dance, featuring a young Harold Blake aged 10
Blind Polly a renowned Yurok basket weaver
The Pacific Ocean from the Klamath
David Gensaw, Vice Chairman of the Yurok Tribal Council
Traditional sweat houses and dance pit
Yurok Territory
An eagle soars above the river
RV park in Klamath where a number of Yurok workers live - 001
RV park in Klamath where a number of Yurok workers live - 002
Kichant outside the tourism office
Yurok Tribal Council Chamber
Yurok lawyer, Amy Cordalis
Tim Hayden, Natural Resources Division Leader
The mouth of the river Klamath
The Pacific meets the Klamath River
Willard by the ”serenity tree” along the river
Willard Carlson whose built a Yurok funded traditional village along the Klamath
Dance pit at Willards place
Salmon smoke house at Willard’s place
Willard Carlson outside his home
Willard Carlson at Wounded Knee in 1973
Willard Carlson and friends confronted by the authorities for fishing the Klamath
Pana Pana
The Miskito People, La Mosquitia, Honduras
On the 12th of September 2013, 7% national territory was given back to the indigenous Miskito people. This area of forested land amounts to 700,000 hectares, and after many struggles for this recognition the communities must now decide how to manage this land again.
The communities have enterprises set up which look at controlled burns as a means of prevention against large fires common in the area, Scarlet Macaw Conservation areas for these protected birds, and production, distribution and use of Batana oil ( a beauty product for hair, skin, and health ) which they’ve always used and which grows locally.
The communities still unfortunately face threats from corporations looking to pressure and infiltrate the area for commercial gains as well as “land grabbers” who threaten, take land, and destroy forest in the process. Violence and threats are often associated with these infiltrators and individuals have previously been shot at trying to protect their homes, the forest.
An elder within one community reflects on more peaceful times “ Pana Pana meant everything was harmonious, if something bad happened to a family then it became everyone’s problem. I think if you were to turn back time and have people live within the Pana-Pana system again everything would be different. “
Elderly woman outside her home, La Mosquitia
Locals meet up for discussions in the shade, La Mosquitia
Fire safety leader, La Mosquitia
Fire control safety equipment
Fire wardens wait for instruction, La Mosquitia
Fire wardens wait in preparation near the controlled burn, La Mosquitia
Fire warden observes the controlled burn, La Mosquitia
Young boy after assisting with the controlled burn, La Mosquitia
Fire warden, after the controlled burn, La Mosquitia
Fire warden relaxes in the shade, La Mosquitia
View of a village home within La Mosquitia
Landscape, La Mosquitia
Scarlet Macaw Protection Project, Mabita, La Mosquitia - 001
Santiago, Scarlet Macaw Protection Project, Mabita, La Mosquitia
Scarlet Macaw Protection Project, Mabita, La Mosquitia - 002
Scarlet Macaw Protection Project, Mabita, La Mosquitia - 003
Mabita, La Mosquitia
Batana, La Mosquitia
Evictions
Awas Tingni / Mosawas
After a seven year battle, the Mayangna community of Awas Tingni won a landmark ruling at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and demonstrated that international human rights law could protect indigenous peoples, their land and their natural resources. As a result a Demarcation Law was passed in 2003 in Nicaragua to recognise and respect indigenous people’s land rights. However a change in law does not always lead to a change in behaviour.
Indigenous communities continue to have to fight to protect their territory from unscrupulous businessmen selling off this land to poor families, some who may have invested all they own into a small plot. This has caused incredible friction between the settlers and the indigenous communities.
Patrols to protect disputed land often turn violent. In 2013 Charlie Taylor was murdered trying to keep colonists from his communities’ land, a Mayangna community situated in the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve. This is a crucial moment, the indigenous peoples are mobilising groups to defend their land against settlers who often cut down large areas of forest and are increasingly violent. Despite laws and promises being made, indigenous communities are facing an intensifying daily battle to protect their ancestral lands and their forests.
At home, Awas Tingni - 001
Carrying grain, Awas Tingni
On horseback, Awas Tingni
Pounding grain, Awas Tingni
Young boy, Awas Tingni
At home, Awas Tingni - 002
At home, Awas Tingni - 003
Returning to the community, Awas Tingni
On patrol, Awas Tingni - 001
On patrol, Awas Tingni - 002
On patrol, Awas Tingni - 003
Settler / invader family, Awas Tingni
Audinio Nelson, Community leader, Awas Tingni
Audinio Nelson and wider family, Awas Tingni
At home, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 001
On the river, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 001
Recalina Devis Rufus, widow of Charlie Taylor, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 001
Recalina Devis Rufus, widow of Charlie Taylor, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 002
A family photograph presented to us from Recalina Devis Rufus, widow of Charlie Taylor, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Recalina Devis Rufus, widow of Charlie Taylor, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 003
At home, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 002
Young girl in the afternoon sun, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Animals shading, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 001
At home, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 003
Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 002
Card game, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Kite fixing, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
At home, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 004
On the river, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 002
Family at home, Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Mosawas, Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - 003
A Sustainable Solution
Talamanca, Costa Rica
Imagine communities and land-owners being paid by the government to protect their forests & natural resources? Costa Rica is the only tropical country in the world that has reversed the process of deforestation through a unique fuel tax law that impresses the importance of protecting the environment & helping develop communities.
Talamanca, Costa Rica - 001
Walmer Estrada Reyes, Forest Ranger, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Village elder, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Young indigenous girl, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Talamanca, Costa Rica - 002
Junta Romero Morales, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Gerrado Obanda Tarres, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Young trees outside a locals home, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Calisto Molina Martinez, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Levi Sucre, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Truck drives through a nearby banana plantation, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Traditional meeting space, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Sat at home, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Electric meters within the forest, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Young indigenous child near home, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Sat close to home, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Ronald De Kachabi, Talamanca, Costa Rica - 001
Ronald De Kachabi, Talamanca, Costa Rica - 002
Rise For Climate
San Francisco protest march 2018 - Global Climate Action Summit
The Global Climate Action Summit was held September 12–14, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The summit was hosted by California Governor Jerry Brown and aimed to address climate change by bringing together non-state actors including elected leaders at the state and local level.
Over 30,000 protesters marched against the hypocrisy of this summit, of leaders who were there to address climate change, at the same time these leaders were propping up various fossil fuel industries within their electorate.
“Guardians of the Forest” were there to show unity with their protesting brothers and sisters.
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 001
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 002
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 003
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 004
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 005
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 006
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 007
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 008
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 009
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 010
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 011
Guardians of the Forest at Rise For Climate - GCAS - 2018 - 012
Images of prominent indigenous communicators within the climate change movement.
Dinamam Tuxá
Cándido Salazar
Mina Setra
Michael McGarrell,
Olo Villalaz
Levi Sucre
Robinson Lopez
Tuntiak Katan