INTERNATIONAL STORY in their ancestral homelands across Turtle Island, Africa, and the Global South. Each carries forward traditional knowledge honoring their ancestors while shining a path for future generations. “THE SOLUTION TO HEALING THE PLANET IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US” As we head toward the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm ElSheikh, Egypt, and United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, it is crucial to remember that climate solution conversations don’t just happen during state-led meetings. The women honored in this initiative and many more like them are driving change daily and weekly, locally and regionally, and across cohesive networks of Earth guardians. The organic and ceaseless ways in which Indigenous knowledge is conveyed are not unlike the street paper network bringing this story to you today: purposeful, vigilant, community-led, and future-focused. This year’s ‘Thriving Peoples. Thriving Places.’ campaign continues to elevate the importance of women in movements toward Indigenous sovereignty and participation in climate solutions. Despite facing gender-based violence, educational barriers, and economic hardships, unfailingly show up, inspiring action and creating change. The Indigenous leaders recognized here are reticent to put themselves in the spotlight. Instead, they work tirelessly and in reciprocity with the planet and the communities around them. Their work never stops – and nor should our support of them. This Indigenous Peoples’ Day – and every day – is a good time to ask: “How can I support what these dedicated women are doing? And how can I create a brighter future for my community and Mother Earth alongside them?” ■ To learn more about this year’s ‘Thriving Peoples. Thriving Places.’ campaign and see the portraits, go to: NiaTero.org/ThrivingPeoples Courtesy of the INSP / Nia Tero / Amplifier Indigenous women HINDOU OUMAROU IBRAHIM (MBORORO) is a member of the Mbororo pastoralist people in Chad. She is an expert in the adaptation and mitigation of Indigenous peoples to climate change. Oumarou Ibrahim serves as a Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues and was one of 15 women highlighted for championing action on climate change by Time Magazine in 2019. BACK ON THE STREETS BY BRIAN AUGUSTINE POSTER DESIGNED BY TRACIE CHING AND CINDY CHISCHILLY. COURTESY OF NIA TERO / AMPLIFIER Editor’s Note: In May the Denver VOICE published a story that Brian Augustine wrote as part of the International Network of Street Paper’s “Housing for the People” series. In that story, Augustine explained how circumstances led to him losing the house he called home over a decade ago. Recently, the rent on Augustine’s apartment went up significantly. No longer able to afford it, Augustine has returned to living on the streets. We asked Augustine to write about his experience and share the experiences of others in similar situations. Following are the reactions he’s documented leading up to his move, along with the health issues that landed him in the hospital four days after he moved out. This is the first in a new column he is writing for the VOICE called “Back on the Streets.” PACKING UP After over 11 years, I’m losing my place to live. The landlord has raised my rent again, and I cannot afford the rent any longer. I’m not making the income I did before the pandemic, and all my savings have been depleted. Not even a dollar to back me up. I’m nervous. The streets I am returning to are not the ROSA MARINA FLORES CRUZ (AFRO-BINNIZÁ/ AFRO-ZAPOTEC) is from Juchitán, Mexico, an Indigenous town in the state of Oaxaca. She is an activist empowering Indigenous peoples, and her focus is on women’s rights, land rights, agrarian rights, and environmental education. POSTER DESIGNED BY TRACIE CHING AND CINDY CHISCHILLY. COURTESY OF NIA TERO / AMPLIFIER same streets I left so many years ago. More people being homeless means fewer resources to go around. And they’re harder to get. The friends I had then are either housed, live in the suburbs, or have passed away. No matter when you live on the street, homelessness is a hard bed to sleep in. As I pack up my belongings, I’m so happy remembering that many of them are gifts from so many of you. Those gifts are going into storage because when I find a new place, I don’t want to start from scratch again. I will continue to vend the Denver VOICE. I would be lost without seeing all of you. I will also keep you posted through this, my new column. FACING HOMELESSNESS When facing homelessness, there’s the decision of whether to sleep in the shelter system or bag it on the street. The shelter system gives a higher level of security, but it comes with a higher risk of becoming sick while sleeping outside comes with the fear of thieves or even getting a beating. But, on the streets, becoming sick is less likely. I started my first time homeless in the shelter system but moved to bagging it. I did this for health reasons. The best thing that happened to me was the Denver VOICE. It has given me so much – from an income to helping me discover my talent for writing. I have also been able to hang around people who enjoy vending the Denver VOICE as much as I do. FOUR DAYS IN I didn’t see this coming so quickly. Only four days into my second time being homeless, and I’ve been hospitalized. I woke up not being able to move my right leg. I still have feeling in my leg, but my brain signals aren’t reaching the nerves. Not a stroke. I’ve had CAT scans, an ultrasound, and four MRIs. I’ve also seen 10 neurologists. (I feel really taken care of. Everyone has more than shown their compassion.) I’ll be going into a rehab facility for about two weeks because my spine is deteriorating. By the time you read this, I should be back to greet you in the mornings at my regular vending spot. ■ October 2022 DENVER VOICE 11
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