Indigenous Leaders Program

As part of The Christensen Fund’s commitment to Indigenous communities, leaders, and organizations, we launched our Indigenous Leaders Program in 2022. The program celebrates Indigenous leaders who are advancing the inherent rights, dignity and self determination of their communities, nations and peoples, and working to achieve the promise of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Leaders Program

As part of The Christensen Fund’s commitment to Indigenous communities, leaders, and organizations, we launched our Indigenous Leaders Program in 2022. The program celebrates Indigenous leaders who are advancing the inherent rights, dignity and self determination of their communities, nations and peoples, and working to achieve the promise of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The program provides financial and non-financial resources to each leader to advance their unique vision and work for two years. These Indigenous leaders also have access and contribute expertise to the full range of The Christensen Fund’s philanthropic efforts, including networks, convenings, and speaking engagements. The Program was developed collaboratively with Indigenous leaders in order to respect their prior commitments and demands on their time. In the spirit of self determination, leaders focus on issues or projects that they choose themselves.

Meet the 2022-2023 Indigenous Leader Program Cohort

Meet the 2022-2023 Indigenous Leader Program Cohort

Photo Credit: www.beloit.edu

Joan Carling (Philippines)

Joan is an Indigenous activist from the Cordillera, Philippines, with more than 20 years of working on indigenous issues from the grassroots to the international level. Her expertise includes areas like human rights, sustainable development, the environment, climate change, and additionally the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. She is currently the Global Director for Indigenous Peoples Rights International.

Photo Credit: www.beloit.edu

Joan Carling (Philippines)

Joan is an Indigenous activist from the Cordillera, Philippines, with more than 20 years of working on indigenous issues from the grassroots to the international level. Her expertise includes areas like human rights, sustainable development, the environment, climate change, and additionally the application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. She is currently the Global Director for Indigenous Peoples Rights International.

Ole Kaunga Mali (Kenya)

Malih Ole Kaunga is a Laikipia Maasai, a practicing pastoralist (he keeps goats and sheep) and a father of three daughters and two sons. Ole Kaunga has a proven track record of defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples locally and globally. He is the founder and director of IMPACT and a co-founder of Maasai Cultural Heritage. He leads the PARAN Alliance, a movement that connects and promotes learning, agency, and voices among Indigenous-Peoples-led organizations in Kenya.

Ole Kaunga Mali (Kenya)

Malih Ole Kaunga is a Laikipia Maasai, a practicing pastoralist (he keeps goats and sheep) and a father of three daughters and two sons. Ole Kaunga has a proven track record of defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples locally and globally. He is the founder and director of IMPACT and a co-founder of Maasai Cultural Heritage. He leads the PARAN Alliance, a movement that connects and promotes learning, agency, and voices among Indigenous-Peoples-led organizations in Kenya.

Andrea Ixchíu (Mexico-Guatemala)

Andrea is an Indigenous Maya K’iche environmental and human rights activist, born in Totonicapán, Guatemala. She is a recognized land protector of Totonicapán’s ancestral forest where she has also served as an Indigenous community government authority. She works as a journalist, filmmaker, and activist, and collaborates with local and international media. Andrea is coordinator at Hackeo Cultural, a community-based with global reach initiative that seeks to build and strengthen collective strategies, narratives, and technologies for the defense of Indigenous territories across Latin America. She also leads the Futuros Indígenas project that seeks to raise not awareness but actions, aimed to face the climate emergency.

Andrea Ixchíu (Mexico-Guatemala)

Andrea is an Indigenous Maya K’iche environmental and human rights activist, born in Totonicapán, Guatemala. She is a recognized land protector of Totonicapán’s ancestral forest where she has also served as an Indigenous community government authority. She works as a journalist, filmmaker, and activist, and collaborates with local and international media. Andrea is coordinator at Hackeo Cultural, a community-based with global reach initiative that seeks to build and strengthen collective strategies, narratives, and technologies for the defense of Indigenous territories across Latin America. She also leads the Futuros Indígenas project that seeks to raise not awareness but actions, aimed to face the climate emergency.

Fawn Sharp (United States)

Fawn Sharp serves as the 23rd President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native tribal government organization in the country. President Sharp is also the current Vice President of the Quinault Indian Nation in Taholah, Washington, after being a five-term

Fawn Sharp (United States)

Fawn Sharp serves as the 23rd President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native tribal government organization in the country. President Sharp is also the current Vice President of the Quinault Indian Nation in Taholah, Washington, after being a five-term