“Here we have waterfalls, rivers, medicine. For us mining isn’t development. For us, the forest is life, it is our market.”
– Josefina Tunki, President of the Shuar Arutam People

Josefina Tunki, President of the Shuar Arutam People (PSHA), represents 10,000 Shuar people who each day protect their sacred territories from the creeping spread of Ecuador’s mining industry. Sofía Jarrín, Amazon Watch’s Ecuador Advocacy Advisor, just traveled with Josefina to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to expose the threats against Shuar territory by Chinese businesses, including financing that has involved the destruction of the Amazon and the violation of the rights of Indigenous peoples and Amazonian communities.

Josefina has been resisting mining in her territory her entire life, and has experienced constant persecution and threats as a result. Global solidarity from each of us is essential to ensure Earth Defenders’ security and well-being, and to support their defense of their territories.

100% of your donation will go directly toward funding our program work. Thank you!

Indigenous sovereignty and land rights are at the core of any true solution for the Amazon. Your support is transformational, interrupting colonial power structures and systemic racism by centering the collective rights of Indigenous peoples and nature, and empowering Amazon Watch's direct support of Women Defenders of the Amazon.

Josefina’s powerful testimony was the only Indigenous representation during these meetings. Thank you for amplifying Josefina’s message and uplifting Amazonian Indigenous peoples’ calls for self-determination and against continued rainforest destruction.

Your donation today is an act of solidarity and hope. You are helping transform our world and for your dedicated support of Earth Defenders of the Amazon. Thank you.

For the Amazon, with gratitude,

Leila Salazar-López
Executive Director

P.S. Will your employer double your donation? Many employers have matching gift policies, and the receipt you will receive right away from us is often all you need to have your gift matched. Our team is here to help: [email protected].