Register now for the UNHLPF 2020 Side Event

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Indigenous Peoples-led Use of Earth Observations

A forum for Indigenous Peoples and those who work with them to discuss opportunities and challenges for increasing Indigenous Peoples engagement in the co-development and creation and use of EO data and tools that support their sustainable development goals to develop specific requirements for EO data enabling widespread impact to Indigenous culture,land holdings, climate change and youth empowerment.

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Simultaneous interpretation provided in English and Spanish

July 9, 2020,

12:00 to 13:30 EST (Canada/US)

Organizing Partners

Background

Recognizing and honouring Indigenous culture and knowledge and supporting Indigenous stewardship of the millions of acres of land under Indigenous-management represents a potential transformative pathway to meeting the SDGs.

Earth Observations (EO), which include satellite, aircraft and ground monitoring technologies can play a key role in supporting Indigenous-led land management. However, Indigenous Peoples currently do not have equal access or opportunities to these technologies, including EO data and tools.

To narrow this gap, we must understand the unique challenges Indigenous communities face to use and develop EO technologies and address key topics to strengthen Indigenous peoples’ rights and help unlock EO capabilities for all.

Objectives & Scope

This side event provides a forum for Indigenous Peoples and those who work with them to discuss opportunities and challenges for increasing Indigenous Peoples’ engagement in the creation and use of EO data and tools that support their sustainable development goals.

The panel of experts will discuss key challenges and opportunities for inclusive engagement with Indigenous peoples to advance EO design and applications for sustainable development at the community-level. They will also discuss the successes and lessons learned from experience co-designing and applying EO technologies to help advance Indigenous rights.

Expected Outcome

The outcome of this event is a set of recommendations from Indigenous experts on how EO tools and data can be made more accessible to help communities to pursue their self-determined development pathways while safeguarding traditional knowledge and systems.

Program

Welcome and Prayers (5 mins)

Welcome: Dr. Milind Pimprikar
Chairman, CANEUS
Prayers: Mrs. Otilia Lux
Director, FILAC Guatemala

Opening Remarks
(10 minutes)

Ms. Myrna Cunningham Kain
President, FILAC
Mr. James Rattling Leaf, Sr. Rosebud Sioux Tribe
GEO Indigenous Alliance

Setting the Stage: Objectives
(5 minutes)

Dr. Thomas George, Director, CANEUS

Moderators
(70 minutes)

Mr. Steven Ramage
Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
Mrs. Otilia Lux
FILAC, Guatemala

Closing Remarks
(5 minutes)

Mr. Álvaro Pop Ac
Technical Secretary, FILAC
Dr. Milind Pimprikar
CANEUS

Panelists

  • • Hon Ms. Lisel Alamilla, Chair of the Toledo Maya Land Rights Commission, and Senator and Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development, Belize (2012-2015) Government of Belize.
  • • Mr. Erwin Freddy Mamani Machaca Indigenous Quechua, Bolivia, Responsible for the Lithium Evaporative Resources, Uyuni Salt Flats, and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Commission (FRUTCAS).
  • • Mr. Titus Letaapo, Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust, Kenya.
  • • Dr. Amber Jean McCullum, NASA’s Capacity Building Program, US.
  • • Ms. Minnie Degawan, Kankanaey Igorot, Director of Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program, Conservation International.
  • • Ms. Diana Mastracci, Space 4 Innovation, Founder, GEO Indigenous hackathons.
  • • Mr. Bruce Stephen, (Retd) Director, Agriculture Canada, CANEUS, and Dr. Srini Sundaram, CEO, Agvesto, to support Indigenous socio-economic needs.

Contributors