Meet the Indigenous Youth Defending the Amazon Rainforest

A new generation of forest defenders is rising to the challenge of protecting their home from extractive oil drilling, gold mining, and hydroelectric projects. From Helena Gualinga’s perspective, the Amazon rainforest is more than just the sum of its trees, plants, animals, and fungi—it is a “living entity.” Helena, a member of the Kichwa community of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon, believes that every element of the rainforest is interconnected and interdependent.

Living deep within the jungle in an area accessible only by small plane or boat, the Kichwa community of Sarayaku has managed to preserve 90% of their primary forest. This isolation has allowed them to safeguard their environment and cultural heritage for centuries. Helena recalls her childhood, immersed in nature, playing in creeks, listening to the jungle’s symphony, harvesting chakra (an agroforestry plot), and living in harmony with her community. However, the tranquility of her childhood was overshadowed by an underlying worry among the adults—a fear of losing their pristine world to the encroachment of extractive industries.

As these industries began targeting their territory, the equilibrium of the Amazon started to shift. Helena’s sister, Nina Gualinga, remembers her first act of resistance against the destruction of the rainforest: refusing an apple from an oil company worker. Despite her desire for the fruit, Nina felt that accepting it would be a betrayal to her people. This early act of defiance, influenced by her mother’s involvement in community political assemblies, was a precursor to the Gualinga sisters’ future roles as prominent environmental defenders.

Now in their 30s and 20s, Nina and Helena Gualinga’s voices resonate beyond Ecuador’s borders. They participate in international conferences and climate summits, and through their combined social media following of 215,000, they continue to advocate for the protection of the Amazon. Despite their global recognition, their refusal to accept “apples” from extractive powers remains steadfast.

Oil in the Rainforest

Oil drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon began 50 years ago and continues today, with oil exports generating nearly $9 billion in 2023 alone. Pipelines crisscross the landscape, often spilling oil and contaminating land, water, and air. Mining territories have expanded by 300% in the last five years, and hydroelectric dams present new threats. These activities endanger the homes of 11 of the 14 Indigenous groups in Ecuador and countless species of flora, fauna, and fungi. Despite the oil wealth extracted from their land, the Indigenous communities see little financial benefit and suffer from high poverty rates and lack of basic services.

However, history has shown that these communities can prevail against such threats. In 2002, the Kichwa community of Sarayaku faced invasion by the Argentine oil company Compañía General de Combustibles (CGC). The company buried over 3,000 pounds of explosives to extract oil, invaded communal spaces with military force, and destroyed parts of the living forest. The Kichwa fought back, filing a case with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2003. After almost a decade, the court ruled in their favor in 2012, setting a precedent for the protection of Indigenous lands.

Witnessing this process helped shape the Gualinga sisters into the environmental defenders they are today. Their involvement in the successful campaign to halt oil drilling in Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, further solidified their commitment. In 2023, 60% of Ecuadorians voted to stop oil extraction in Yasuní, a significant victory for conservation efforts.

The Race for Gold

Leonardo Cerda, a young Kichwa leader from the Serena community, has dedicated his life to conserving the Ecuadorian Amazon. Initially sparked by the impacts of the oil industry, Cerda’s current focus is on combatting gold mining. Between 2015 and 2021, over 13,877 acres of forest were converted to gold mines. In Napo, Cerda’s home province, mining has increased by 316% in five years, drastically altering the landscape and contaminating water sources with mercury.

During the COVID pandemic, large machines were brought in to extract gold, with the Ecuadorian government granting extensive concessions to mining companies. Cerda used social media to raise awareness about the environmental impacts and organized his community to protect their land. He and other Serena inhabitants formed collectives like Napo Resiste and Yuturi Warmi, the first Indigenous women’s guard in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Their efforts led to a provincial court ruling in favor of the community, recognizing the violation of nature’s rights and imposing remediation measures on mining companies.

Cerda also created Hakhu Amazon Design, a social enterprise that employs women from his community to produce jewelry and clothing, providing an economic alternative to mining. This initiative allows women to stay in their territories, preserve their culture, and defend their environment. Hakhu’s products are sold internationally, and the income supports conservation projects.

Hydroelectric Threats

Ecuador contains 18% of the active hydroelectric dams in the Amazon, despite occupying less than 2% of the region. These dams, often touted as sources of clean energy, have complex legacies. Alexis Joel Grefa, from the Santa Clara community, began his activism when a private corporation announced plans to build a hydroelectric dam on the Piatúa River in 2017. The project threatened the community’s main water source and a sacred river.

Grefa organized the Piatúa Resists collective, which successfully filed a protection action against the hydroelectric project. The court ruled in their favor, preventing the dam’s construction. The collective continues to monitor local biodiversity and gather data to support their conservation efforts. Grefa now represents Indigenous voices at global climate negotiations, encouraging others to join the fight.

Building a Sustainable Future

The Indigenous youth of the Ecuadorian Amazon are not just resisting extractive activities; they are creating sustainable alternatives and amplifying their message globally. They are committed to ensuring that the forest remains alive, not only for their communities but for the entire world. As they continue to defend their home, their efforts serve as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving our natural world.