An evening of short documentaries filmed and produced by international indigenous communities, followed by a discussion on indigenous peoples and climate change, and a first-hand report on the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

Brian Keane, co-founder and director of Land is Life, an international network of indigenous communities and organizations, has recently returned from a three week trip to the Climate Summit in Copenhagen where he brought native leaders from many countries to the talks in order to promote their unique insights and agendas. Attendees to this event are said to expect an evening of "... poignant films and a lively, informed discussion on the critical topic of climate change."

More from the organizers:

In recent years, more people have become aware of the unique wisdom in the cosmologies and spiritual practices of indigenous societies. While this native wisdom has always been part of human existence, its teachings have remained outside so-called "formal" religions, sometimes leading to zealous missionary campaigns seeking to stamp out this "paganism" from the face of the earth. But with the dramatic increase in global warming, a thinning ozone layer and social alienation, many, including the United Nations, are realizing that native peoples may possess some critical keys to the very survival of our species and fragile ecosystems of the planet.

Because traditional and indigenous communities depend on a relationship with healthy ecosystems, they possess a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and practical experience in adapting to long-term changes in their environment. This threat to traditional communities is a threat to the entire human community. The current response, either proposed or already being implemented, to the common challenges of global warming, will fail unless it is grounded in a recognition of such basic human rights as the territorial, land, and resource rights of indigenous peoples... holders of a global heritage of adaptation and sustainability strategies.
Indigenous Peoples have contributed little to climate change. Yet, they suffer from the brunt of direct and immediate effects of escalating global warming. Despite the recent adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, they continue to have little say in the UN climate negotiations. But at this critical time of global decision making, indigenous voices have an important message for the global community and future generations.

"We can't wait five years," says Inupiat leader Patricia Cochran, the Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Global Summit on Climate Change, about efforts to phase out greenhouse gas emissions. "We're a harbinger of what is to come, what the rest of the world can expect."

Cost: Free.

Location:
Dutcher Room
Saratoga Springs Library
49 Henry Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Map and directions:
maps.google.com...

Contact: Joe Kulin at the below email address, or 518 306-4722

Sponsored by: Saratoga Peace Alliance.