Kandi Mossett’s interview on American Indian Airwaves
Issues Discussed:
- Rio+20
- Keystone XL
- Hydraulic Fracturing (oil and gas)
- Alternatives and Transition away from a fossil fuel economy
- Remembering Pat Spears, his life and huge contribution to the People
- And more.
Kandi’s interview starts immediately after the broadcast’s news report.
Please enjoy the entire program and tune in every Tuesday for more. Click here to find archives and future program information for American Indian Airwaves.
SUMMARY:
Since the first Rio United Nations Climate Change Conference 20 years ago to the recent Rio +20 conference the environment has gotten worse. In regard to the actions and outcomes to what IEN was involved in- the work accomplished was successful – over 500 Indigenous delegates attended – networks were strengthened and goals for the future defined and presented in the Kari Oca II Declaration. (DECLARACION DE KARI‐OCA 2 & Declaração KARI‐OCA 2)
Before the conference there was a lot of preparation by NGOs working within larger networks and various public events planned for the week long gathering. Many organizers were skeptical of any meaningful or binding agreements being struck as the enormity of the issues and disagreements between governments and corporate influence has been a road block in the past. Progress was further stunted because the G20 was being held at the same time and therefore many high profile world leaders did not attend Rio+20.
Inside the conference the attendees were predominately smaller nations, corporate supported representatives, with very few Indigenous spokespeople, but on the outside there was a stark contrast with highly motivated Indigenous Peoples who are fighting to save their lands and their cultures, especially those communities that have recently been negatively impacted by current and future energy and precious metals mining and extraction.
The Green Economy that was being presented at the conference is based on constant growth which is not sustainable. A money based economy allows unchecked growth and exploitation of the Earth and all elements that have been tagged as commodities. These include the air, water, and lands.
Carbon trading and REDD are monetary schemes that are displacing Indigenous Peoples on a large scale in order to “trade” credits for larger fossil fuel projects and continue the cycle of pollution and destruction. Click here to read more.
In a lot of cases, old growth, natural forests are clear cut and mono-crops like palm oil trees are planted, which loosely translates into a forest and counted as carbon credits for developing countries to continue to pollute with carbon and other chemical emissions.
Kandi Mossett clearly describes the energy extraction and devastating destruction and human health issues that are widespread across Indigenous lands, and have the potential to leave our planet unable to support much of the life on Earth.
She also outlines several sustainable energy alternatives that are highly feasible and why they aren’t being implemented.
Moccasin Tracks – Kandi Mossett, Native Energy and Climate Campaign Organizer for Indigenous Environmental Network
Broadcasting on Goddard College Community Radio, Moccasin Tracks host, Deborah Reger talks with an extraordinary Native Energy and Climate Campaign Organizer from Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nations in North Dakota. Kandi Mossett joining her colleagues from the Indigenous Environmental Network attending the Rio+20: Indigenous Peoples Global Conference she joins us by phone from Rio where the Kari-Oca 11 Declaration was signed. When the People tried to deliver this declaration she tells us the military stopped them. Her candid reminder of the power of prayer during this sacred time will surely inspire us all to answer her call. With principals of “minka” : solidarity and participation, indigenous youth from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia have been sharing their stories and standing up in defense of Mother Earth and giving their lives in some cases. Respect and Gratitude to Kandi.
Learn more and click here to download and listen to Deb Reger’s Podcasts
Music credits: John Trudell, We are Shapes of The Earth, DNA CD (Descendants Now Ancestors) Ulali, All My Relations, Honor The Earth CD
Please listen and share these interviews – discuss with your family, friends and neighbors. Our collective future, literally, depends on changing the dominate paradigm. And it can only happen if we demand it and we can only demand and receive if enough people band together and force these transitions and changes.