Nemonte Nenquimo

Nemonte Nenquimo is an Indigenous activist, author, and leader of the Waorani Nation from the Amazonian region of Ecuador. As the first female president of the Waorani of Pastaza (CONCONAWEP), Nenquimo has focused on defending her people's ancestral territory, culture, and way of life. She is co-founder of the Indigenous-led nonprofit organization Ceibo Alliance and co-founder of Amazon Frontlines, which work to protect the Amazon rainforest, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen Indigenous guardianship of the Amazon.

The Ceibo Alliance unites four Indigenous nations—the A'i Kofan, the Siekopai, the Siona, and the Waorani—to address threats to their rainforest territories and cultural survival. The organization also develops sustainable Indigenous-led alternatives by improving access to education, involving young people in leadership, promoting solar energy, and creating economic opportunities for women.

Nenquimo led her community in a significant legal battle against the Ecuadorian government after the Minister of Hydrocarbons announced an auction of 16 new oil concessions covering seven million acres of primary Amazon forest, including titled land of multiple Indigenous nations. She organized region-wide assemblies, conducted interviews with village leaders, launched a digital campaign with the slogan "Our Rainforest is Not for Sale," and spearheaded a petition signed by 378,000 people globally. Nenquimo served as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Ecuadorian government for violating the Waorani's right to free, prior, and informed consent. The courts ruled in the Waorani's favor, protecting 500,000 acres of Amazon rainforest and Waorani territory from oil extraction and establishing a legal precedent for Indigenous rights across the Amazon.

Nenquimo's environmental activism has been recognized with the Goldman Environmental Prize for Central and South America and the United Nations' Champions of the Earth Award. She has been named to the BBC 100 Women list, the TIME list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, the TIME 100 Climate list, and is an honoree of the TIME Earth Awards. Nenquimo is also a member of The Earthshot Prize Council. Her work highlights the critical role Indigenous peoples play as stewards of vital ecosystems.

Nenquimo co-authored the memoir "We Will Be Jaguars" with Mitch Anderson, which explores the histories of the Waorani people and her personal journey as a defender of the Amazon. The book educates readers about the Waorani tribe, centuries of colonization, and Western perspectives. Nenquimo has delivered keynote addresses at major events such as the Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium, where she speaks as an Indigenous activist and leader committed to sustainable solutions, environmental justice, and the protection of Indigenous land from industrial threats. Her advocacy continues to draw global attention to Indigenous rights and environmental protection.