Indigineous Leader Juma Xipaia awarded at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's 17th annual awards ceremony

On Thursday, November 7th, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation hosted its 17th annual Awards Ceremony for Planetary Health at the prestigious Salle Garnier at the Monte-Carlo Opera House. The ceremony, attended by HSH Prince Albert II, recognized outstanding individuals and organizations committed to the preservation of the planet.

Among the distinguished laureates was Juma Xipaia, an influential indigenous leader from Brazil, who received the award for her dedication to environmental protection and indigenous rights. In 2020, Juma founded the Juma Institute, with a mission to defend the rights of indigenous peoples and safeguard their cultural and territorial integrity, particularly in the Middle Xingu region of the Amazon.The institute has been at the forefront of resisting the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, which caused significant environmental and social harm, while advocating for gender equality and the autonomy of indigenous communities.

In her acceptance speech, Juma Xipaia expressed her gratitude, stating, “It takes courage to change the world that we need and that future generations deserve. I thank you for our generation but also for the generation to come, that deserves everything their ancestors left for them”. She continued, “What is lacking now is transforming knowledge into action. It is through our actions that we can revert the damage we’ve caused”. Juma's leadership and the work of the Juma Institute symbolize the power of indigenous activism and the vital role indigenous peoples play in environmental conservation. As a representative of her community, Juma’s words resonated deeply: “We are all in the same boat, on the same planet, and it is through our collective actions that we will create meaningful change”.

This recognition highlights the essential role of indigenous leaders in shaping a sustainable future and underscores the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's continued commitment to supporting those at the forefront of environmental and cultural preservation.

©Philippe Fitte / FPA2