'Dalai Lama of the rainforest' brings climate change warning to Britain - News from Survival International

29.5.09

'Dalai Lama of the rainforest' brings climate change warning to Britain - News from Survival International

\A Yanomami Indian shaman from the Brazilian Amazon, dubbed ‘the Dalai Lama of the Rainforest’, will journey to Europe in June to give a message to world leaders in advance of the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.

Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami will tell MPs at the British Houses of Parliament that the world’s rainforests cannot be bought, and can only be saved if indigenous peoples’ land rights are recognized.

• Press conference: Wednesday 10 June, 10.30 am, Survival International, 6 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7ET (For journalists only – please contact Survival if you wish to attend)
• Photo opportunity: Wednesday 10 June, 3.00 pm, Westminster Green, Houses of Parliament
• Royal Commonwealth Society panel discussion on indigenous peoples, Thursday 11 June, 6.15 pm at the Commonwealth Club. Details on www.thercs.org

Davi says, ‘We must listen to the cry of the earth which is asking for help. The earth has no price. It can’t be bought, or sold or exchanged. It is very important that white people, black people and indigenous peoples fight together to save the life of the forest and the earth. If we don’t fight together what will our future be? Your children need land and nature alive and standing. We Indians want respect for our rights. You can learn with us and with our shamans. That is important not only for the Yanomami but for the future of the whole world.’