COP28: NDN Collective’s Second Week at COP28 in Dubai

Demetrius Johnson, Sherrie Anne Hart · December 14, 2023

COP28: NDN Collective’s Second Week at COP28 in Dubai

"Our people contribute the least to climate change and are the most impacted. All of you in the industrial and technological world have lands to return home to and we do not — we are now climate refugees. We may be small and insignificant to the rest of the industrial world but we are content with what little we have."

For three weeks, members of NDN Collective’s Policy and Advocacy, Regional Deep Dive program, NDN Fund, Communications, Tactical Media, and Creative Resistance Teams, have been on the ground in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Our second week of being on the ground began with the official opening of the  United Nations 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) and opening of the International Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion. It was also filled with panels and discussions with panels, side events, participating in actions to uplift the Indigenous caucus’ priorities, and tracking negotiations and meeting with government officials. 

Here is a round up from our second week on the ground with links to recorded events:  

MEETINGS:

Dialogue with the COP28 Presidency

On December 5th, NDN Collective was present at The Dialogue with the COP28 Presidency where the host country’s top COP advisors heard presentations from Indigenous representatives from each of the 7 regions on their key issue requests as related to COP and negotiations.

Relatives from the Caribbean and Pacific Island territories at COP28. Photo taken by Angie Solloa for NDN Collective. 

NDN Collective’s Director of Movement and Strategic Partnerships, Thalia Yarina Carroll-Cachimuel, represented the Latin America region and spoke to the COP28 Presidency about Just Transition and what it means for Indigenous People. Watch the presentation here.

In a presentation about the impact of climate change on their islands, Lucielle Paru of the Papua Native Landowners Association Incorporated in Papua New Guinea shared about the island loss their people have already been facing.

Tomorrow you will not see us here [at COP28] as the peoples’ of the Pacific Ocean. We have lost three islands so far. Our people contribute the least to climate change and are the most impacted. All of you in the industrial and technological world have lands to return home to and we do not — we are now climate refugees. We may be small and insignificant to the rest of the industrial world but we are content with what little we have. We are the ocean. 

Lucielle Paru, Papua Native Landowners Association Incorporated in Papua New Guinea

Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim organized a meeting with French President Macron. This was an unprecedented engagement as he came during the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus meeting. Each of the regions had a chance to engage with him by giving a one minute speech of our priorities.

Check out Janene Yazzie (NDN Collective) and President Fawn Sharp (National Congress of American Indians) share North America COP priorities to President Macron here.

French President Emmanuel Macron taking a photo after meeting with the Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective.

EVENTS:

NDN Collective Reception: Building Indigenous Power & Equitable Financial Mechanisms: An NDN Collective Social at HOPE HOUSE

On December 4th, NDN Collective hosted a reception at the HOPE HOUSE for COP28 attendees, funders, and key stakeholders interested in learning how to uplift solutions around the globe that protect Indigenous Peoples Rights for the best outcomes for all Peoples’ and Mother Earth. The purpose of the event was to create a space where Indigenous People attending COP28 could learn more about the ways NDN Collective has created a successful model for supporting the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples’ in the US, Mexico and Canada, and our priorities supporting the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change  (IIPFCC) in COP28 negotiations.

From left to right: Angie Solloa (Maya & Hopi), NDN Collective Digital Organizer, Thalia Yarina Carroll-Cachimuel (Kichwa-Otavalo), NDN Collective Director of Movement and Strategic Partnerships. Photo by Time For Better

Investing in Effective Climate Resiliency: Climate Finance for All Peoples Panel at the U.S. Center Pavilion 

Jade Begay, Director of Policy and Advocacy moderated a panel featuring Janene Yazzie, NDN Collective Southwest Regional Director, and Kim Pate, Director of the NDN Fund.  The panel discussed how NDN Collective is addressing extractive finance systems in government and philanthropy while paving a just and equitable path for impact investment, climate finance and grant making. They also discussed how policies such as Justice 40 and 30×30 can be strengthened when connected to justice-based climate finance that supports the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples’ and frontline communities across all ecosystems.

From left to right: Jade Begay (Diné and Tesuque Pueblo), NDN Collective Director of Policy and Advocacy, Janene Yazzie (Diné), NDN Collective Southwest Regional Director, Kim Pate (Descendant of Eastern Band Cherokee and Mississippi Choctaw), NDN Fund Director. Photo by Willi White for NDN Collective. 

LANDBACK and Climate Adaption Panel

On December 6th during the LANDBACK and Climate Adaptation panel, Janene Yazzie, Kim Pate, and NDN partner Serena Mendizabal of Sacred Earth Solar, shared examples of LANDBACK in action and how this Indigenous-led movement is a climate solution model which contributes to climate adaptation, regenerative economies, and protection of biodiversity. 

Watch the full panel here.

From left to right: Thalia Yarina Carroll-Cachimuel, Kim Pate, Serena Mendizabal, and Janene Yazzie on the LANDBACK and Climate Adaptation panel. Photo by Angie Solloa for NDN Collective.

For our final recap on decisions made during COP28 please continue to follow us on our social media platforms!

Related Stories

Press Release | COP28: Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus Delivers Opening Plenary Statement

Blog | NDN Collective to Participate in COP28 as an Accredited Organization

Press Release | COP28: NDN Collective to Co-Host Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion, Center Indigenous Climate Solutions on Global Stage

Press Release | COP27: Indigenous Peoples’ Pavilion Opens

Press Release | COP27: NDN Collective Announces Key Events and Issue Areas

Press Release | COP27: NDN Collective to Partner with Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus, Send Delegation to Negotiation

Press Release | COP27: Indigenous Climate Expert Gives Speech at COP27 World Leaders Summit

Press Release COP27: NDN Collective Meets with White House Climate Advisor

Blog COP27: NDN Collective’s Recap of Week One at the United Nations 27th Annual Conference of the Parties (COP) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Press Release | NDN Collective Statement on COP27 Negotiation Outcomes

Press Release | NDN Collective Delegates Attend COP26, Uplifting Indigenous-led Solutions to the Climate Crisis

Blog | COP26: Energy, Continued Extraction, and False Promises

Press Release | COP26: NDN Collective Hosts Meeting w/ Indigenous Youth and White House National Climate Advisor

Sherrie Anne Hart
by   Sherrie Anne Hart

Sherrie Anne Hart (they/them), Associate Director of Tactical Media is a queer, nonbinary, Puerto Rican/Thai organizer, trainer/facilitator with experience working in community-led, grassroots, and nonprofit spaces. Sherrie has organized mutual aid projects and direct action campaigns that target fracked gas infrastructure projects, ICE and prisons; developed training programs and curriculum; and is currently learning what it means to do this work as a first time parent. They are passionate about cultural integration in community health services, healing practices / infrastructure as direct action.

Sherrie is currently pursuing a MA in Community Development and Planning at Clark University.

January 2024 Edition

Stay Informed. Take Action.

Subscribe to the NDN allies newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter. Delivered once per month.

We care about the protection of your data and would never sell your email or share it with anyone without your permission.

'We Are Not Americans, We Will Die as Hawaiians': Ka Wai Ola a Kāne Launched in Nānākuli, Oahu

Angelica (Angie) Solloa , Kailea Loften

Posted 2 years ago
NDN Collective journeyed to Oʻahu to train and share knowledge with Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) relatives as an extension of our deep dive work within the region.
'The Medicine Wheel Coming Together': NDN Collective's ȞeSápa Action Camp Builds Community Among Organizers

Jordynn Paz , Sarah Sunshine Manning

Posted 2 years ago
The ȞeSápa Action Camp brought together organizers and movement builders from across Turtle Island and beyond for a week-long training in the Black Hills. There were several trainings offered including Creative Resistance, Tactical Media, Climbing and Blockades.
"Keep Fighting": Leonard Peltier Message to Supporters on 48 Years Since Arrest Posted 2 years ago
Leonard Peltier has been unjustly imprisoned for 48 years on this day. In this letter, he reflects on the anniversary of his incarceration and calls upon all to "keep fighting." Read more for ways you can support the fight to #FreeLeonardPeltier.
NDN Collective Celebrates Mineral Withdrawal Resolution Passed By Oglala Sioux Tribal Council Posted 2 years ago
The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council passes a resolution support the proposed mineral withdrawal around the Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills. The mineral withdrawal will ban mining in the region for years, preserving the land and drinking water.
NDN Collective Redistributes Nearly $8 Million to Indigenous Peoples Posted 3 years ago
In 2023 the Collective Abundance Fund supported the wealth building of 200 Indigenous Families across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
NDN Collective Redistribuye Casi $8 Millones a Personas Indígenas Posted 3 years ago
El Fondo de Abundancia Colectiva (Collective Abundance Fund) apoya la construcción de riqueza de 200 Familias Indígenas en Minnesota, Dakota del Norte y Dakota del Sur.
Community Mobilizes in Bitter Cold to Shelter Unhoused Relatives in Rapid City Posted 3 years ago
City officials issue warning in response to lifesaving efforts to shelter unhoused relatives from freezing temperatures. This came after city officials claimed they would make temporary changes to their intake policies and promised to not turn people away from city shelters.
NDN Collective Opens 2024 Application Period for Community Action Fund Posted 3 years ago
The Community Action Fund (CAF) furthers Indigenous Peoples’ mobilization strategies as it relates to the defense, development, and decolonization of peoples and the planet. This $1 million fund is available to support such efforts in 2024, with grants up to $40,000.
NDN Collective abre el periodo de aplicación 2024 para el Fondo de Acción Comunitaria Posted 3 years ago
Para su publicación inmediata: 11 de enero de 2024 Rapid City, SD - Hoy, NDN Collective abre el periodo de aplicación para el Fondo de Acción Comunitaria 2024, que proporciona subvenciones urgentes para la acción directa y la organización en…
NDN Collective ouvre la période de candidature 2024 pour le Fonds d’action communautaire Posted 3 years ago
Le Fonds d’action communautaire (FAC) favorise les stratégies de mobilisation des peuples autochtones en ce qui concerne la défense, le développement et la décolonisation des peuples et pour la Terre Mère. Ce fonds d'un million de dollars est disponible pour soutenir de tels efforts en 2024, avec des subventions allant jusqu'à 40 000 dollars. 

United like never before, we rise together—arm in arm—to equip all Indigenous Peoples with the tools needed to become architects of our future. Through a holistic approach to infrastructure, funding, advocacy, movement building, and philanthropy we are fostering a world of justice and equity for all people and the planet.