TED Talks Daily The forest is our teacher. It's time to respect it | Nemonte Nenquimo
Nov 25, 2021
Nemonte Nenquimo, a Waorani leader and Indigenous rights activist, passionately discusses the Amazon rainforest's crucial role for both her people and the planet. She emphasizes the deep spiritual connection Indigenous communities have with the forest, framing it as a vital teacher in sustainable living. Nenquimo highlights the destructive impact of resource extraction and colonial exploitation, urging a collective responsibility to respect and protect Mother Earth. Her powerful call to action highlights the urgent need for environmental stewardship.
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Nemonte's Education
- Nemonte Nenquimo, a Waorani woman, learned Spanish at a missionary school.
- Her education in respecting the forest, however, came from the Picananis, the wise elders.
Forest as Teacher
- The forest provides not just material sustenance but also spiritual connection for the Waorani.
- Outsiders, focused on extraction, have lost this inherent value of nature.
Threats to the Amazon
- Colonization, roads, missionaries, and oil companies threaten the Amazon and its Indigenous people.
- Continued exploitation risks the lives of Amazonian communities throughout the country.