Thread by @jasonhickel

This is the most powerful, captivating text I have read in some time. Don't miss it. "The white man knows too little for the power that he wields, and the damage that he causes." theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

"My name is Nemonte Nenquimo. I am a Waorani woman, a mother, and a leader of my people. We are fighting to protect what we love – our way of life, our rivers, the animals, our forests, life on Earth – and it’s time that you listened to us."

"You are probably not used to an Indigenous woman calling you ignorant. But it is clear: the less you know about something, the less value it has to you, and the easier it is to destroy. And this is exactly what you are doing to our planet."

"It took us thousands of years to get to know the Amazon rainforest. To understand her ways, her secrets, to learn how to survive and thrive with her. We have only known you for 70 years, but we are fast learners, and you are not as complex as the rainforest."

"When you say that you are urgently looking for climate solutions, yet continue to build a world economy based on extraction and pollution, we know you are lying because we are the closest to the land, and the first to hear her cries."

"I can say, along with my Indigenous brothers and sisters across the world, that you have lost your way, and that you are in trouble (though you don’t fully understand it yet) and that your trouble is a threat to every form of life on Earth."

"You forced your civilisation upon us and now look where we are: pandemic, climate crisis, species extinction and, driving it all, widespread spiritual poverty. In all these years of taking, taking, taking, you have not bothered to learn what we know about life on this Earth."

"This forest has taught us how to walk lightly, and because we have listened, learned and defended her, she has given us everything: water, clean air, nourishment, shelter, medicines, happiness, meaning. And you are taking all this away, not just from us, but from everyone."

If you teach a class, of any kind, on any subject, consider putting this on your reading list, for it is relevant to everything. May we all come to understand and heed the words of Nemonte Nenquimo.