Indigenous-led Conservation: Loving the World Whole Again

Abstract

What does love have to do with conserving biodiversity, reversing climate change, halting the destruction of land and water? What if I told you the answer is: everything. The Western conservation science paradigm predicates success on objectivity, rigor, analysis, compelling argumentation. We’re taught that impact requires us to keep heart, let alone spirit, out of it. Through Indigenous eyes the trebled biodiversity, climate and social justice crises are at their root a relational crisis. We believe the problem is rooted in a collective forgetting that we and the natural world are one. We no longer recognize Buffalo, Beaver, Bear as our brothers and sisters. We no longer remember what it feels like on our tongues to speak Buffalo, to speak the language of relationship: Respect. Reciprocity. Responsibility. Reconciliation.

In this talk I will share INDIGENOUS LED’s origin story, an organization founded by Indigenous People for Indigenous People to amplify Indigenous Voice and our ways of knowing, being and doing so vital to healing both people and planet. We will explore our core bodies of work that braid knowledge, make stories, share art, evoke sacred law, embolden youth, and honor reciprocal relationship. Our work to create a shared community of belonging. Together we will explore how we can collectively love the world whole again.

Bio:

Cristina is the Co-Founder of INDIGENOUS LED and currently serves as its Director, with responsibility for strategic leadership & creative direction. She has 30 years of applied experience from the Arctic to the Antarctic leading campaigns & designing biocultural conservation strategies for non-profits, foundations & individual donors. She also serves as the Founder & Principle of the TERRAMAR collective, which provides strategic advice to foundations and non-profits interested in Indigenous-led conservation and the protection of biocultural diversity. She is vaguely obsessed with restoring Buffalo and her dog, Oberon.

"Models of Indigenous-led Conservation– A Love Story" by Cristina Mormorunni