Jacob Johns

Jacob Johns, originating from the Akimel O'Otham and Hopi nations, serves as a community-supported organizer, working autonomously to foster significant change. His primary objective is to strategically introduce fresh paradigms to dismantle antiquated systems of oppression. Johns employs a diverse range of creative strategies to propel political transformation including participating in frontline demonstrations and orchestrating comprehensive campaigns, including the production of digital content. Johns endeavours to reawaken forgotten truths within the collective consciousness of humankind, forging a path towards a sustainable and flourishing future that we can collectively embrace.

WHAIA

Born of Ngati Kahugnunu, tribal descent, Whaia is a transcendent vocalist, alchemical performer, First Nations Multi-instrumentalist, Designer, Creative Cultural Producer and visionary Facilitator, making this woman one powerhouse mama. Blending intuitive melodies made of wood, bone, clay and stone she weaves the sonic bridge between worlds. She is an elemental voice of water and an official board member of Oceanic Global, singing for World Oceans day at the UN Headquarters in New York 2023. Moving across the country serving communities through arts, music festivals, venues and events. As a mother of 3 her sights are on the future change makers and leaving something bigger than oneself.

Mindahi Bastida

Mindahi Bastida (Otomí-Toltec) is Director of the Original Nations Program of the Fountain and until July 2020 was the Director of the Original Caretakers Program, Center for Earth Ethics, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York (2017- ) and General Coordinator of the Otomi-Toltec Regional Council in Mexico, a caretaker of the philosophy and traditions of the Otomi-Toltec peoples, and has been an Otomi-Toltec Ritual Ceremony Officer since 1988. He is consultant with UNESCO around Sacred Sites and Biocultural issues and for other UN programs.

Mindahi has served as a delegate to various commissions and summits on indigenous rights and sustainability, including the 1992 Earth Summit and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, 2002).

SHEELAH BEARFOOT

Sheelah Bearfoot (Chiricahua Apache) is an environmental justice advocate who has had the privilege of working with and learning from dozens of grassroots organizations. After earning a degree in Genetics and Plant Biology from UC Berkeley, she worked at the Native American Health Center in San Francisco as a diabetes-focused health educator before earning a Masters of Environmental Health Science at Hopkins, where she continued her focus on Indigenous health disparities. She is currently an Environmental Justice program manager at Poetry for Planet and an organizer for A Wisdom Keepers Delegation

Aya Khourshid

Aya Khourshid, from Egypt and Palestine, is an independent climate and social researcher focused on creating pathways for a just, alternative economy. As the Coordinator of the Global South Working Group within the International Degrowth Network, she advocates for economic justice, emphasizing the need for systemic economic change. She also works closely with local communities in Sinai through the RiseTogether initiative, promoting water conservation and sustainable practices. Formerly working in finance, Aya now dedicates her expertise to ensuring that financial systems serve people and the planet. She is a strong advocate for debt cancellation and the transformation of the international financial architecture.

Rutendo Lerato Ngara

Rutendo Ngara is an African Indigenous Knowledge Systems practitioner and transdisciplinary researcher

She traverses clinical engineering, healthcare technology management, socio-economic development, mathematics, leadership and fashion design; to the interface between science, culture, cosmology and paradigms of healing. She has a passion for weaving art, science and spirituality towards healing of the Collective and restoration of the Whole.

Wanka Inti

Wanka Inti (Gerson Paredes) is the son of ancestral healers from the Wanka nation, department of Junín-Peru. He is a Member of the Great Council of the Eagle and the Condor, led by the Otomí Tolteka leader Mindahi Bastida. He is Member of the Inka Council of the Musuq Tawantinsuyu,led by the Inka Tito Q'osñipa. Is Leader of the original peoples of Tawantinsuyu-Peru and Member of the sacred Circle of wise grandmothers and Grandfathers of Mother Earth. He is Organizer of the Inti Raymi, ceremonies of Father Sun and of solar and lunar ceremonies.

He is an ancestral dream healer. He is hypnotherapist, member of the Peruvian Association of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis APHCE.

Appolinaire

OUSSOU LIO Appolinaire (OLA) is a Prince DJAKA Atawévi, High Dignitary of the Royal Court of the Tɔlinu. Writer Geographer-Naturalist, he is an expert in Community development and Jurisprudence of the land.

It works for the enhancement of endogenous knowledge, the culture of peoples and the protection of forests and sacred sites. Founder of the Nature and culture clubs, he is currently the president of the Research and Action Group for Well-being (GRABE-BENIN) and is a member of the African collective for Earth Jurisprudence.

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Helene Lindmark

Helene Lindmark lineage holder Noaidi from northern Sweden Sápmi. She is a mentor, wisdom keeper, bridge builder, and global representative of her tradition and community. Born and raised in Liikavaara, Sweden, she carries the Shamanic tradition of her Sapmi, Sweden, Russia, and Finland heritage. She brings the voice of Mother Earth, the voice of the indigenous knowledge out in the world. Cocreating the bridge in between ancestral wisdom and science, modern society. Bring the voice of indigenous knowledge to corporate and government forums, sharing the wisdom of the land through dialogue, ceremonies, rituals, and prayers. She works with helping people through the insights these traditions bring to develop their contact with and understanding of nature, others, and ultimately, themselves and their own human nature.

BODHI PATIL

Bodhi Patil is a UN-recognized, award-winning GenZ ocean-climate “Solutionist” dedicated to improving the interconnectedness between Ocean Health and Human Health. He is co-creator/cofounder of Ocean Uprise and SeaDragon Studios and advises several love-based, climate smart, eco-organizations on a mission to protect our planet. He is a student leader in the BA + Masters of Management program at the University of British Columbia studying oceans, climate action, and business.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Jeff Ferguson

Full-time freelance photo/videographer Jeff Ferguson is a Spokane Tribal member who is a single father. He has lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout the U.S and abroad.

Much of his inspiration is derived from the beauty of the Northwest, his Native heritage and from great photographers. Current issues, true-life events and the unique individuals he has met along his journey inspire his editorial and documentary work.

Although most of his work is commercial, editorial, portraiture and sports photography his true passions lie in fine art photography, documentary video, cultural preservation and raising awareness to current and ongoing issues facing Indigenous people.

Jhajayra Idalia Machoa Mendúa

Jhajayra Idalia Machoa Mendúa, from the A’I Kofan First Nation of Ecuador, is a leader in the A’I Kofan Millennium Community of Dureno, located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. As Director of Youth, Culture, and Sports on the governing council of CONFENIAE, she represents 11 nationalities and over 2,000 indigenous communities. Niece of Eduardo Mendúa, a leader assassinated in 2023, Jhajayra is committed to defending indigenous territories, cultures, and Nature. She strives to preserve her A’ingae language and heritage, continuing the fight for the survival of Amazonian peoples and their way of life for future generations.