Chief Ninawa Huni Kui
Unangan Elder, connects modern crises with ancient wisdom and a spokesperson for nearly 15000 Indigenous people in 104 villages.
Chief Ninawa Huni Kui Ninawa is a medical doctor who merges traditional wisdom with modern science. He is a hereditary Chief of the Huni Kui Indigenous people of the Amazon and has served as President of the Huni Kuin People's Federation of Acre since 2016. He represents 118 communities along the rivers Envira, Tarauacá and Jordão in the Amazon with a population of approximately 16.500 people. Chief Ninawa advocates for indigenous rights and Amazon conservation and draws attention to false solutions to climate destabilization and is a strong advocate for centering Indigenous rights, livelihoods and reparations in the climate agenda.
Ninawa is also General Coordinator of the Social Inclusion Project, "Mãtsisipatã nukun yunu xarabú banakin," safeguarding his cultural heritage and promoting organic agriculture. Despite facing challenges like illegal logging and incursions on his territories, Ninawa remains a Guardian of Huni Kui wisdom, inspiring environmentalists and indigenous activists for a better future. He is also the founder of the University of the Forest.
