Nemonte Nenquimo

Nemonte Nenquimo, an environmental guardian and recipient of the Goldman Environmental Award, emerged as a staunch defender of the Amazon Rainforest. Leading an indigenous campaign and pursuing legal action, Nenquimo successfully shielded 500,000 acres of Amazonian rainforest and the Waorani territory from oil extraction in Ecuador, setting a critical legal precedent for indigenous rights. Ecuador, known for its exceptional biodiversity and pristine Amazon rainforests, faced severe threats from oil exploration, logging, and road building, which had devastating consequences for its ecosystems and indigenous communities. Nenquimo, a traditional Waorani hunter-gatherer, co-founded the Ceibo Alliance in 2015 and was elected president of CONCONAWEP, advocating for the preservation of ancestral territory, culture, and economy rooted in indigenous values. Her efforts included organizing Waorani communities, launching digital campaigns, and collecting a remarkable 378,000 signatures. Additionally, she implemented sustainable strategies such as rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels, supported woman-led cacao businesses, and initiated a community mapping project to chart the vast Waorani territory. Nenquimo's leadership culminated in a legal victory against the Ecuadorian government, safeguarding half a million acres of rainforest, bridging the gap between indigenous and Western worlds, uniting tribes, and inspiring similar initiatives across the Amazon to protect their rights, preserve the rainforest, and combat climate change.