Goldman Environmental Prize winner arrives in Denver

NEMONTE NENQUIMO VISITS AT THE INVITATION OF MSU DENVER

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The visit of Ecuadorian Indigenous activist Nemonte Nenquimo to Denver is not just another event on the local academic calendar. Her presence at Metropolitan State University of Denver marks a significant moment to connect global struggles with local realities, at a time when climate change and Indigenous rights are gaining prominence in public debate.

Nenquimo, internationally recognized for her defense of the Amazon, arrives alongside activist and strategist Mitch Anderson, with whom she has built one of the most influential alliances in the protection of Indigenous territories. Together, they coauthored the book We Will Be Jaguars, a memoir that tells the story of the Waorani people’s struggle and has brought their cause to global audiences.

Awarded by the UN

Nenquimo has become a central figure in environmental activism after leading a historic legal victory in 2019 that protected more than 200,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest from oil exploitation. Her work earned her the Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the “Green Nobel,” as well as recognitions such as inclusion in the TIME 100 and the Champions of the Earth from the United Nations.

Her story represents resistance and the idea that Indigenous peoples are key actors in addressing the global climate crisis. Alongside Anderson, cofounder of Amazon Frontlines, she has promoted a model of territorial defense based on technology, community organization, and legal strategies. Their presence in Denver offers insight into how these alliances between Indigenous communities and international support networks are built.

IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON | Learn how Nemonte Nenquimo defends environmental causes. (Photo / EFE)

Building bridges

In a city like Denver, where environmental debate often focuses on public policy and urban sustainability, hearing directly from those confronting deforestation and resource extraction on the front lines brings an urgent and transformative perspective. It is not just about learning a story but understanding how these struggles connect to decisions that also impact communities in the United States.

The event is part of the 2026 Richard T. and Virginia M. Castro Distinguished Professorship within the Department of Chicana/o Studies at MSU Denver. Titled “Roots, Resilience, and Resistance: Building Coalitions to Protect Mother Earth,” it offers a space for dialogue. The program includes a community panel and a gathering with local leaders to address the need for building alliances in the face of the climate crisis.

Event details

Roots, Resilience, and Resistance: Building Coalitions to Protect Mother Earth

Register:

https://www.msudenver.edu/castro-professorship-register/

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