As we commemorate Earth Day, it’s important to hear directly from leaders working on the frontlines of changing how we care for not just our physical environment, but life that inhabits it.  So, we sat down with Thalia Yarina Cachimuel (she/her, Kichwa-Otavalo), Director of Philanthropic Networks at NDN Collective to discuss the importance of this annual event, especially for indigenous communities.

A current student at the Harvard School of Education, Thalia’s professional career has been rooted in the realm of reimaging philanthropy, uplifting BIPOC organizations, and advocating for Indigenous communities through political policies.

This written conversation has been edited for clarity.

Suhasini: Thank you for sitting down to share this Earth Day. Can you tell us a little bit about NDN Collective’s work and mission?

Thalia: NDN Collective is a national Indigenous-led movement infrastructure organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Our team ecosystem is made up of interrelated strategies working in tandem toward our shared vision and mission. NDN Collective operates under the three pillars of Defend, Develop, and Decolonize.

On Earth Day, NDN Collective honors the Indigenous land defenders and water and environmental protectors who put their lives on the line to protect Mother Earth.

Indigenous Peoples account for 5% of the global population yet safeguard 80% of the world’s biodiversity through traditional ecological knowledge. Today and every day, Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations’ fight to be free from oppressive systems. Our mission at NDN is to “build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations to exercise our inherent right to self-determination, while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth.”

Suhasini: If you could ask anything of your philanthropic partners this time, what would those asks be?

Thalia: To our philanthropic partners, we ask that our mission be supported by centering grassroots and movement-led organizations that are on the frontlines working to protect Mother Earth.

Suhasini: Can you give us some examples of work already being done on the frontlines by Indigenous peoples to combat the climate crisis?

Thalia: LANDBACK, Stop Cop City, and supporting the Mineral Withdrawal in the Ȟesápa are just a few examples of how our frontline movements are working to protect our sacred lands. LANDBACK, in particular, is a long-standing movement that has existed for generations with a legacy of organizing and sacrifice to get stolen Indigenous lands back into Indigenous hands. This movement ensures that the rightful stewards of the land have complete autonomy and control over their prospective territories, as we are the experts in how to care for La Tierra. When we support the infrastructure of Indigenous-led solutions to the climate, such as LANDBACK, it benefits all people.

Read the full interview about Indigenous people and Earth Day by Thalia Yarina Cachimuel at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.