Indigenous Peoples Day; Indigenous Earth
Defenders Risk their Lives Every Day
Indigenous Earth Defenders
(October 12, 2026) Paulo Paulino Guajajara defended his people’s territory as a member of the Forest Guardians in the Brazilian Amazon. In 2019, illegal loggers murdered him.
This Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor his life and all Indigenous Earth Defenders who protect their lands and communities from the relentless encroachment of extractive industries and organized crime. Their defense keeps the Amazon standing and our shared future alive.
Honoring defenders also means standing with those at risk today. Through our Amazon Defenders Fund, Amazon Watch provides direct, flexible funding to Indigenous partners for urgent needs, territorial protection, and community-led action.
