When I chose to travel across the world my intention was to connect with other Indigenous leaders.
At COP28 in Dubai that became a reality as I built connections with elders from Alaska to Hawaii. What I learned from listening to the stories shared is that human extraction continues on sacred sites all across the globe. The term sacred site refers to the spaces that the original inhabitants of the land consider most sacred, these are often place’s where creation stories begin. This sentiment was shared when Uili Lousi a Contemporary Artist from Tonga spoke about his Island peoples relationship to the oceans, how when his body passes over his spirit will remain in the ocean.
Uili shared this after Kelly Moneymaker an Alaskan filmmaker completed her viewing of Drum Song Rhythm of life. This film highlighted the voices of the Inuit people, who are the original inhabitants of Alaska. The Drum Song rhythm of life film brings attention to the changes in climate from an Indigenous perspective. These stories relating to the land were passed along to elders, and young people alike for generations.Â
The sharing of knowledge creates an opportunity to connect on a deeper level, is what I learned while attending the conference of parties 28 in Dubai.
We all have a kinship with each other that extends beyond man made borders. Aho.
Ramiro Vazquez Jr. is an enrolled member of the Ojibwe Turtle Mountain Nation located in North Dakota. He previously collaborated with Minneapolis youth to create actions around issues that affect students in the City of Minneapolis. His love for water led him to lead the Rethink Your Drink Campaign in partnership with the City of Minneapolis Health Department to engage community members on water safety and preservation. Ramiro enjoys spending his down time on-bike or in his running shoes appreciating the natural wonders that nature provides.
Ramiro is a Climate Generation Window Into COP delegate for COP28. To learn more, we encourage you to meet the full delegation and subscribe to the Window Into COP digest.